Redwoods & Oregon Coast
Drive through the tallest trees on Earth, ride a gondola over the redwoods, and end at a big aquarium on the Oregon coast.
10 hrs drive · 5 days · Best for all ages · May–Oct
Day 1: Avenue of the Giants
- 8:00 Leave SF, head north on US 101
- 11:00 Lunch and stretch break in Willits or Garberville
- 1:00 Drive the 31-mile Avenue of the Giants from Phillipsville
- 2:30 Walk the easy half-mile Founders Grove loop near Weott
- 5:30 Check in around Eureka or Trinidad
Day 2: Redwood parks
- 8:30 Watch for elk in the Prairie Creek area
- 10:00 Fern Canyon walk (permit needed May 15 to Sept 15, expect wet feet)
- 2:00 Trees of Mystery: Sky Trail gondola and Paul Bunyan statue
- 5:00 Overnight in Crescent City
Day 3: Up the Oregon coast
- 9:00 Drive north on US 101 along the coast
- 12:00 Lunch stop in a coastal town
- 2:00 Beach and viewpoint stops on the way
- 5:00 Check in at Newport
Day 4: Oregon Coast Aquarium
- 10:00 Aquarium opens; plan 2 to 3 hours
- 1:00 Lunch in Newport's bayfront
- 3:00 Drive inland toward I-5, overnight near Grants Pass
Day 5: Home on I-5
- 8:30 Drive south on I-5
- 12:00 Lunch break around Redding
- 4:00 Arrive back in the Bay Area
From parents who have been
- From May 15 to Sept 15 you need a free timed parking permit to drive to Fern Canyon, plus a $12 cash fee at the kiosk. Davison Road has two creek crossings where low cars get stuck, so if you're unsure, park at Gold Bluffs Beach day use and walk about 2 miles each way. Adventures of A+K
- Plan on wet feet in Fern Canyon. Water shoes or sandals work best, and keep dry shoes in the car. Kids tend to love wading the creek more than anything else on the trip. Fora Travel family guide
- April and October fall outside the permit window and still have fairly low water. In winter the ferns look brown and the road can close. In summer, go right at opening or late in the afternoon on a weekday. Adventures of A+K
- At Founders Grove, let kids walk the full length of the fallen Dyerville Giant and look for the hollow 'goosepen' tree they can walk through. The lot is small and fills early in summer. Stop first at the Burlington visitor center, where kids like the Travel Log, a motor home carved from one redwood log. Travel for Kids
- At Trees of Mystery, one family liked the Redwood Canopy Trail (eight netted suspension bridges) more than the gondola. It is cooler at the top of the gondola, the gift shop costs more than shops in Crescent City, and the Paul Bunyan statue photo is in the parking lot. The SoMom blog
- Give the Oregon Coast Aquarium 1 to 2 hours, not a quick stop. The Passages of the Deep shark tunnel is the kids' favorite. Time your visit to a sea lion or seal feeding, and check the daily schedule because older posts list different times. Agree on a meeting spot, since the layout can feel like a maze. Urban Bliss Life
Good to know
- Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach need a free parking reservation from May 15 to Sept 15, plus a $12 day-use fee paid in cash or check. Davison Road has two stream crossings and bans trailers and large RVs.
- Tall Trees Grove needs a free reservation to use its small parking lot.
- Oregon Coast Aquarium costs more on Fridays and weekends ($34.95 adult, $24.95 ages 3 to 12). Kids 2 and under are free. Last tickets are sold 30 minutes before closing.
- Plan 1.5 to 2 hours at Trees of Mystery. The gondola ride is included in admission and takes 7 to 9 minutes each way.
Sources: Fern Canyon permits (Redwood Parks Conservancy) · NPS Redwood reservations & permits · Oregon Coast Aquarium tickets & hours · Avenue of the Giants (Wikipedia) · Trees of Mystery (Road Trips for Families) · Trees of Mystery prices (WhichMuseum)