Northwest Tour

After our successful Epic Adventure to the wild, wild west, we opted to head north for the cool breeze of the northwest next.

For our two preschoolers, this trees trip was going to be breezy breaks with short walking treks for little legs to stretch out.

First, I grabbed a copy of The Best Coast which was the primer of roadside kitsch and chock full of colorful images enticing you to see as much as humanly possible!

Our destination was to visit with friends who had settled into Sequim, WA near the Canada-US border. Along the way, a few other friends were traveling with us up the 101 to the Redwoods for their own weekend getaway to the Lost Coast.

First, we stopped off to meet up with our friends along the first leg and to grab a few burgers along the way at the California staple, In & Out.

One of the kids happened to be potty training this trip. So, they were not enjoying the loudness of the In & Out bathroom due to the echoing and loud hand dryers.

sigh.

We were already off to a grand start.

After entering Mendocino County on the 101, we pass through Willits: home of the Historic Skunk Train!   On this trip, we would only wave as we wander through this western town. In the wintertime, the Skunk Train comes alive with hot cocoa, stories of Skippy the Traindeer, and a possible Santa sighting much to the delight of all aged riders. Read more about Willits here.

Not long up the road, we pulled off the Avenue of Giants to experience a 101 roadside attraction from days past: a tree you can drive through!

On this day, our sedan was able to squeeze through the Chandelier Tree in Leggett. If you have anything larger, you can choose to loop around the tree and walk through for your experience. A quaint gift shop greets you for any souvenirs you may need before heading on down the winding road. Artist Chandler O’Leary captures my sentiments best here.

This list features great ideas for kid-friendly activities among the Redwoods.

Not long up the path in Myers Flat at a second drive through tree are teeny Redwood tree houses to entertain the kiddos for a pit stop. Read more on the Shrine Drive Thru Tree

Around the bend is a lovely mile loop among the Giants that was well received by the littles. Explore the Founder’s Grove on your next trip up the 101. Quiet isn't enough to describe how blissfully silent this area is to experience.

As you wind your way through the Redwoods, explore the local state and national parks in the vicinity for your own walkabout.

Geology rocks at Chapman’s Gem and Mineral Shop along the banks of the Eel River near Fortuna. Browsing the gems and minerals are a must-do for our rock hounds.

We enjoy the refreshing Eel River Pub. Our kids enjoy their fried cheese curds and other delectable selections. They have inhouse crisp hard seltzers and their own classic beer. We highly recommend the Raven’s Eye Imperial Stout, a deeply dark seasonal offering.

Fortunately, we were able to experience the Loleta Cheese Factory. Their Grilled Cheese Bar was a hot option to take along for the ride. It will be missed!

This particular establishment may have closed. However, if you get a chance to experience the fresh cheese from this magical land: do so. Meanwhile, check out these nearby cheesy establishments

After checking in for the night at the local chain motel location, we made our way to Lost Coast Brewery. There, we enjoyed the house-made fish ‘n’ chips, hot brown sandwich and their brews. Definitely worth a stop next time you’re in Eureka. They even use their own beer in the batters and recipes, such as the Great White for the fish ‘n’ chips which makes for a crunchy, light delightful dinner.

Early the next morning, our bellies were filled to the brim at one of the last logging cookhouses in America. These relics of times past were found where the hungry fellas were filling the long tables for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as they chopped log after log in the height of the logging industry of the West.

Samoa Cookhouse still honors the same cooking traditions: serving what’s on the menu that day and that’s what you receive. Along with friends of ours, we’ve tried different days. There’s not a bad one in the bunch. Read up on their menu here.

Inside, you’ll find implements and information on the history of the area and the cookhouse open since the late 1800s.

Shortly after intersecting with the 101 again, we exited for one of my favorite places: Trinidad. Winding our way through the misty fog to the depths below in search of the parking at Trinidad State Beach.

The magic of the powerful waves crashing is evident as you approach the small footpath from the parking lot. Hear the water of the cool, crisp Pacific Ocean churning before you. Whether the fog allows you to capture a glimpse or not is up to the fog. On this particular day, we were blessed with light fog and flowers.

Hungry for a bite? Head on over to the docks of the Trinidad Harbor and Seascape Restaurant where their warm hospitality and fresh bites will get the feeling back in your fingers on a crisp Northern California day. Sit cozy in a booth and watch commanding crescents of churning foam crashing upon the jutting rocks before you as you sip on a fresh cup of coffee. Plot the next leg of your adventure or merely enjoy a moment of stillness amid the chaos outside.

One special pit stop before you get back on the 101 is Katy’s Smoke House. Here, grab a few salmon jerky to go from the locals who do it best for over 75 years!

Next, in my opinion, is one of the best drives of the scenic northern California coast. Gliding along the rugged coast and coves protruding into the Pacific until the highway turns inland around Orick.

One of our last stop offs in the Redwoods of California is the Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail. An ADA approved one mile stroll among the redwoods that I had hoped to get the kids on. However, when we arrived that day, the parking was scarce. Discussing options, obviously parking along Bald Hills Road was a no-go as per the signage. So, onward we went. My husband noted another trail not far from where we were. As we progressed, a car waved to us from the opposite direction not far from the parking lot of the trailhead for the Redwood Creek Trail.

“There’s a bear,” the other driver warned. Duly noted and we were already on full alert. Around the bend who did we see? A bear crossing the street.

Guess who saw the bear and suddenly had to potty? The kiddo, of course! We parked in the nearby parking lot while the bear headed on its way. Next, we quickly darted to the public facilities available. Here, our preschooler ticked off the “Potty Among the Bears” achievement at an outhouse.

We decided to toddle onto the bridge adjacent to the parking lot in an attempt to stretch our legs. Having no idea where the bear ended up going, we piled our tinies back into the car and bounded on up the 101 within minutes of changing our minds.

Nearby is the forest moon of Endor from Return of the Jedi along with other film locations of Del Norte County. Make sure your vehicle has off-road abilities if you choose to explore this area further. It isn't called the Lost Coast for nothing.

Only a half hour onward to Klamath, we came to the highly anticipated Paul and Babe the Blue Ox at the Trees of Mystery.

On this day, Paul was in full motion complete with chatter and a waving hand.

Plenty of photo and education opportunities here between the End of the Trail collection inside and the thrilling walk among the giants. Check out more here!

Motel Trees across the street is worth checking out if you’re in need of a quaint overnight stay. We enjoyed our stay there on a separate trip to the Redwoods and a ride on the Christmas Skunk train in Willits. This journey, we pressed onward to Crescent City to grab a quick lunch.

During this trek, Crescent City’s Taco Bell provided us with an adequately filling lunch to trek the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park as the kiddos napped after their cheesy roll ups.

This section of the trip was twisty, mysterious, and curvier than the Avenue of Giants, but just as shadowy below the canopy of the old growth coast redwoods. US 199 dubbed the “Redwood Highway” snaked through the northernmost reaches of California.

Then, we twisted our way back to civilization near Grant’s Pass, OR. We’d stay on I-5 until Portland. I would have preferred more time to explore this lush area. However, sleeping kiddos lead to more mileage!

Northward bound on the 101, Olympia was our next destination. Dominos after check-in hit the spot for the night. A quick turnaround with the littles. Then, back on the road!

The next morning after grabbing a quick breakfast, off we went toward Portland!

Crossing bridges to the Pearl District in the Northwest of the city. We hungry travelers made our way to Deschutes Brewery for some beers and grub. Our pottier-in-training enjoyed their pit stops here and along the way.

Our day happened to coincide with Portland Pride . So. the brewery treated us with rainbow cake to celebrate.

Nearby was one of the highlights of the trip: Powell’s Books. Spanning a city block,this “City of Books” is the largest independent bookstores in the world! So large that you need a map to locate their potties. Check it out here.

With multiple floors and helpful staff, you could spend days exploring this gem among the Portlanders who pride themselves in their own weirdness.

This particular area is heavy with volcanoes. . The sky was so clear on our way through that we were able to see four peaks! Nearby was Mount Hood.

Once checked into the chain motel for the night near Olympia, Washington, the Apple Peddler next door was our dinner destination. Sadly, this location has since closed. Olympia has a few other eatery options available here.

We wound our way to our apex destination only a few hours away: Sequim. We skirted our way twisting around the deep inlets outside Tacoma and the Puget Sound. In the afternoon, we made our way to the Dungeness Spit near the San Juan islands. Mere miles to the Canadian border.

The quaint cottages of Juan de Fuca made us comfy. With giant garden tubs, coffee station in-room, breathtaking views are enhanced by the warm hospitality of the staff. When our reservation was secured, we opted for a breakfast option. Each morning a basket was dropped off for a morning delight. For example, one day our breakfast was Eggs Benedict with pork tenderloin, blueberry yogurt and muffins, hash browns, bacon, muffins and fruit. Next, there was a basket complete with a veggie omelet with bacon, country potatoes with cheese, fruit with yogurt and various muffins. A great, fresh start to our day!

Visiting with family friends and loved ones were on the agenda. With a few kiddos under 5, we opted for a lavender farm trek. Purple Haze even had farm animals for the kids to roam around with!

If you’re in Sequim in July, we suggest the Sequim Lavender Festival! This makes for great timing to view these fresh, calming scents at their peak bloom.

Hungry for a bite? Our crew landed at the Old Mill Cafe. We recommend a burger.

Nearby on the Dungeness Spit is a game farm to drive through. The family we visited recommends the experience. Formerly “Disney’s Wild Animal Ranch”, Olympic Game Farm cares for former animal actors of the early Disney era.

We made our way South back toward Sonoma County on the 101 headed toward the 5 southbound. Not ten minutes after departing, someone from the backseat announces they need a potty break. Ten. Minutes.

Luckily, we had just passed a large gas station a moment prior. After consulting the oracle known as Google Maps, we foresaw it was almost another hour before any future services. So, we popped a quick U-ey and headed back to the Longhouse of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. There, we found ample restrooms, snacks, warm food, and plenty of information about the friendly people who ran the establishment. Glad we made the stop!

As our journey homeward progressed, we noted stacks of oyster traps along the banks of the Hood Canal, actually a fjord , near Hoodsport. Here, the waters appeared dark and deep, crisp on a summer day. Fresh Hama Hama oysters hauled out for harvest.

Not long, we saw a nearby spot, The Tides Restaurant, made for a fabulous spontaneous stop. I opted for a fried oyster sandwich: it did not disappoint. Even though they were crunchy and fried deep, you could taste the freshness of the juicy oysters and fixin’s on a hoagie. Perfect for a gal on the go! The kids enjoyed trying the local area’s Marionberry syrup. Read more on this tart topping here. Don’t miss this gem along the 101.

Later, our stop for the night was the convenient and cozy Black Bear Days Inn near Salem, OR. After trekking the 101 in the northernmost reaches of the country, we bedded down pretty quickly that night.

Bright and early the next day, our crew was southern bound through the Willamette Valley leaving the curves of the peaks behind for a moment. An ever-popular IHOP outside Eugene refueled us with Funny Face Pancakes and fresh coffee.

Next, we crossed the border back into our beloved California while admiring the dramatic landscape at the southern end of the craggy Cascades. Stopping near Mount Shasta made for fantastic views of these dormant beauties.

Our bookend evening was in the tiny town of Dunsmuir nestled nearby. After settling into the Dunsmuir Inn & Suites, we walked a short distance to town center.

The Dunsmuir Microbrewery offered a warm pretzel with beer-cheese, a Reuben with a Wee Foot pint, and the housemade Good Boy Porter. On our way back to our room, we grabbed a few ice cream sandwiches from the Supermarket as a treat.

Recharging on the Inns decent beds, breakfast was our first order of business the next morning. Down the street was the charming Cornerstone for a breakfast sandwich and coffee. Be sure to check them out if you’re in town: they serve breakfast all day!

Also along the town’s main drag, don’t miss the classy eloquence of the California Theatre.

Zooming down I-5 back to the Bay Area, we reminisced about our northwesterly endeavor. The Pacific Northwest and its splendor continue to call to us, beckoning for further exploration.

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