A Day at Redwoods National and State Park

Since the food options are limited at the entrance to Redwoods State and National Park, and there are no options inside, head to this down-home diner to get sandwiches to go before you begin your day. Trisha will take your order, and she's a delight, creating a dinner-party atmosphere at the lunch counter and turning out some of the freshest, most thoughtful fare in the region. Everything is made to order with care, and the food is genuinely delicious.

This peaceful meadow was once the site of a logging mill. Descriptive signs will tell you about the ongoing natural restoration efforts here and across these parks. Instead of logging, the reason people come to this spot today is to try to spot the majestic elk that often graze here. Our advice? As you drive up to Orick, the utilitarian town at the entrance to the park, keep your eyes out for groups of cars parked by the sides of the road. They're often a sign that elk are within viewing distance. Just don't get too close! These are wild animals that have badly injured people in the past.

In summer, guided hikes leave from the visitor center every day. Led alternately by national and state park rangers, these informative walks introduce visitors to the intricacies of the redwood lifecycle, the issues involved in maintaining its fragile habitat, the native history of this area, and the many mysteries surrounding redwoods. For example, they explore why redwoods have the highest rate of mutation in the natural world and how scientists discovered they are communicating with nearby trees through their root systems. Even if you come at an hour when there's no tour, the trail here is beautiful to take on your own — it leads to a lovely natural amphitheater in the forest. You can hike from one to four hours, depending on which paths you pick.
Cathedral Trees Trail is one of the Redwood hikes that does not require an advance permit. It's impossible to explain the feeling you get from walking among the old-growth forests of Redwood National and State Parks without resorting to "Alice in Wonderland" comparisons. Like a tropical rainforest, the redwood forest is a multistoried affair. Everything is big, misty, and almost otherworldly; flowering bushes cover the ground, 10-foot-tall ferns line the creeks, and the smells are rich and damp. Out on the peaceful trails, like this one in the Prairie Creek area, it's impossible not to feel as if you've shrunk, or the rest of the world has grown, or else that dinosaurs would fit in nicely. Look for burn marks on the trees. Those are actually from fires purposefully set over 150 years ago by native tribes to burn off vegetation and prevent uncontrolled forest fires. You'll notice that the trees along the Cathedral Trail are more densely grouped than at the Avenue of the Giants. That's because this site was never logged. This hike is between 2 and 3 miles long, depending on which paths you take.

The Yurok people are the traditional and historical owners of this land, and since 2022, they have operated the first tribally operated visitor center within the California Park system. Currently, the center has a small collection of photography, videos, and artwork exploring the history, culture, and rituals of the Yurok people. Pair a visit here with a look at the recreated Sumêg Village nearby.

Trinidad fishing village is one of the oldest surviving settlements on the North Coast. Its site was discovered by a Portuguese navigator in 1595. The present town, which dates from 1850, sits on a bluff overlooking the ocean. The views are spectacular! Trails lead down to beautiful, rocky beaches, a pier (which is still a working commercial fishing dock), and a working replica of the original 1870 lighthouse. Patrick's Point State Park, just north of Trinidad, is a 6-acre preserve set on a headland covered by forests and meadows, with beaches, sea stacks, and a coastal rim trail that's spectacular at sunset.

The best restaurant in this neck of the woods by far, this steak, seafood, and barbecue joint throws in a hearty cheese-and-pâté platter with every entrée purchased. So, though prices seem high at first glance, they come down when you realize that there's no reason to order starters. In fact, portions are so large you might consider sharing a main dish. The indoor/outdoor setting is quirkily handsome. Outside, there's a twinkly-light slung tent around a koi pond, while inside is a steampunk-style dining space. On many nights, there's live music.

Like the area, this little roadside inn is friendly, and while it's not the height of luxury, it's neat as a pin, with simple and well-maintained cabins and perks like full kitchens stocked with coffee and teas. The property is at the trailhead of a nice hike to the beach and has communal fire pits for cozy evenings. Once it hits 10 p.m., this place gets blessedly quiet.