I assume that you’re returning the same way you came (down the coast) so I highly suggest driving along Highway 1 either on the way up or the way back, but give yourselves plenty of time because it’s pretty windy… but extremely beautiful. It skirts the ocean almost the entire way, and there are a lot of small towns, lighthouses, etc along the way. Fort Bragg is a great town to spend the night in, and even a day if you have the time. I recommend the Beachcomber Motel (link below). It’s got great oceanfront rooms and it’s a decent motel. If you do stay in Fort Bragg, they got a bunch of local stores and you definately have to eat breakfast at Eggheads. Also on Highway 1, you can visit Shelter Cove which is another beautiful area.

If you travel up Highway 101, you’ll drive through the Wine Country… and if you’re of age and interested you can go wine tasting. Beyond the wine country, 101 begins to wind a lot as you head into the mountains. You’ll hit the towns of Willits and Garberville, and get a good look at the start of our "marijuana culture" up here . However, if you’ve never been up this way, there is one thing you have to visit… our redwood forests. (sorry if I sound like a travel agent)

Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino county are home to the giant redwood trees (you will be suprised when you see them). If you travel up this far, you definately need to spend some time in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and a great way to do that is drive along the "Avanue of the Giants" Scenic Alternative to Hwy 101. It’s 32 miles long but a great way to see the redwoods up close.

Once you get further north, you’ll hit the town of Scotia, which houses the Pacific Lumber Company… one of the last old growth redwood mills in the country, and home to the last company-owned town in America. It’s a nice little town with a cool old logging museum, and you can tour the mill. Ten miles north and you’re in Fortuna, a small town but a great place to stay the night if you want. Just west of Fortuna is the town of Ferndale, and old victorian town supported mostly by the dairy business. It’s actually the town where both the Majestic and Outbreak were filmed, and probably worth the stop.

Around here the only "night life" consists of a few local bars, casino, and one nightclub in Eureka. You’ll hit Eureka after Fortuna/Ferndale, and continue on to Arcata, which is the home of Humboldt State University. If at this point you want to continue North, you’ve made a commitment, but can see a few of our Elk herds, visit places like Prarie Creek State Park, the Klamath rive, and some other things.

Well hopefully that’s a little of what you’re looking for. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message and I’ll be happy to give you more tips on the area. Hope you have a great trip.

One more thing: I almost forgot, IF you are willing to travel past Arcata, a great place to go is "Trees of Mystery". You can’t miss it, because it has a giant Paul Bonuon(sp?) and his Blue Ox outside. They have a gondola (like a ski lift thing) that will actually take you way up to the top of a mountain for a great view.