“There’s a certain nostalgia and romance in a place you left.” – David Guterson
It’s a 12 hour journey from Orange County to the most northern Redwood forests of California. Although driving through the night can be exhausting, there’s something magical about witnessing the sunrise as you drive through mist-covered hills and redwoods at dawn.
The first pit-stop was a hike through Fern Canyon, where I saw wild Roosevelt Elk and old-growth redwoods that stood in primeval majesty. I felt like I had wandered into a lost world, a wild kingdom of old.
The journey continued through the Redwood Forest and into Six Rivers National Forest, where I stayed at an off-the-grid cabin the woods. While walking up the steep road, I befriended this beauty keeping watch over the property:
After breakfast I crossed the Oregon border and drove through windy mountain roads to see the wonderful Oregon Caves. It’s a unique 90 minute tour that allows visitors to see crystals and marble inside of a mountain. I also loved Jedidiah State Park and many other pitstops along the road. There always seems to be something beautiful to admire when you’re near the Redwoods.
If you’re driving up the 101N into Oregon, you must visit Samuel H. Boardman State Park. If you search hard enough, you can find the path to “Secret Beach,” an ethereal location relatively unknown and hard to find.
Other highlights:
Clara 