North & Central Coast California
Back to Redwood National Park, a San Francisco city trip, and finding the sea lions in Monterey.
October 8, 21:46
Back in Redwood National Park! We liked it so much that we decided to go back. This time we started in the North for a cup of camper-made coffee at Jedediah campground. We did a small hike at Simpson Reed Grove, Peterson Grove, and the Hatton loop trail. Then we drove in the southern direction and stopped at Lagoon Creek for a walk on the beach and another short hike on the Yurok loop trail. A lovely, easy day full of beautiful sights.
View all of my favorite photos from Redwood here on the Coastal California page.
October 9, 22:47
Yesterday we stayed at Klamath, in the centre of the Redwood National and State Parks. So it was only a 5-minute drive before we arrived on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Byway. We were headed for the Brown Creek Trail, which was recommended to us last time we were here. We decided to extend the hike a bit and also walk part of the Rhododendron and South Fork trail. I think it was the first trail we did in the park that was a little harder. A steep and loose gravel trail, which made it that much more fun! We even found the only bench on the trail empty and waiting for us with a perfect view. And thus, perfect for a cup of coffee and a sandwich.
Later in the day, we also went to Gold Bluffs Beach, which I don’t really recommend doing with an RV because the Davison road is ROUGH. I mean, we did it, so technically anyone could, but it wasn’t a relaxing drive at all. BUT we did spend some time on the beach watching seals in the water! And we saw a fox on the road. So if you ask me, was it worth the trouble? - Yes. Would I do it again? - Definitely not with this vehicle.
October 10, 13:45
We saw so many Elk! Five different herds! Yesterday, the first elk we saw were standing in a campground located on the 101 inside the Redwood Park. Then, a little later, we saw another herd in a meadow across from our campground just south of the park. And after we parked our RV and we walked around a little, we saw more elk on the other side of our campground. And it got even better, cause when we woke up, a group of maybe twenty elk were standing about ten meters away from our RV! SO MANY! They’re so big, it’s pretty intimidating, but definitely impressive. Later in the morning, another group of young male elk walked onto the campground, but not too close to the others, cause the big boss of the big herd didn’t let them. The only thing he had to do was get up, take two steps in their direction, and the young males quickly backed up. Very cool to see, definitely when you’re seated at a picnic table eating breakfast.
October 11, 21:35
🎵SAN FRANCISCO🎵 We’re staying in a hotel for two nights, one that I stayed at before, cause it’s one of the few hotels with a free parking area outside, big enough for an RV. I’m so happy we get to stroll around the city, and not drive for a couple of days! Today, we just walked around the seaside area, enjoying an overpriced but delicious lobster bun. We also went to Pier 39, a site I was super excited about, because of the many, many sea lions. Except, apparently, they aren’t there year-round. So I was slightly disappointed to see all of Pier 39 empty.
On the way here, we stopped at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. In the early 1900’s, they used the beach as a public dump site for glass, ceramic, and other waste. Now, years of ocean waves have smoothed these items, and it has created the most beautiful soft sea glass.
October 12, 22:50
Classic tourists we were today. We took the Hop On Hop Off bus, enjoyed a long walk in the botanical garden, and saw the Golden Gate from above, below, left, and right. It was a great sightseeing day, which ended with a boat tour through the bay.
October 13,
We’re in Monterey, with Mike! He drove north from Ventura County to meet us (and his brother) for a few days! Mike’s brother Jack lives here, so it was the perfect moment for us all to spend some time together. We left San Francisco around check-out time and enjoyed a short 2-hour drive to Monterey. Then we met up to drive the 17-mile drive together, a scenic drive along the coast and past the famous golf course, Pebble Beach. Afterwards, we drove further south along the coastal Big Sur to see the Bixby Creek Bridge. And we ended the day, back in Monterey city, eating out at a great Indian restaurant and playing cards at Jack’s.
RV driving over the Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur, Monterey, California.
October 14
We found the sea lions! They all took a vacation from Pier 39 in San Francisco and moved south to Monterey. Sooo many of them are lying on the shore. Piled on top of each other, fighting for space, and others sleeping unbothered. THIS IS SO EXCITING. The smell is terrible tho, but we just ignore that for now. They are all here! I was so disappointed that we didn’t see them back in San Francisco, cause I really hyped it up for my mom, but now here they are! Lots and lots of them. Just look, how fun!
You can see all of my wildlife in the USA photos here, including the sea lions.
