Redwood Coast
Victorian Ferndale, the Avenue of the Giants and a canyon of ferns on the way to Crescent City.
- Distance
- 282 km (175 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 07 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- States
- CA
- Updated
- September 17, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 282 km (175 mi) with 6 stops, from Eureka to Crescent City. About 3 h 07 min of driving in total.
Route description
From Eureka, a short drive south leads to Ferndale, a village of carefully kept Victorian houses and storefronts. Continue south on US-101 to the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile road through the old-growth coast redwoods of Humboldt Redwoods State Park that runs parallel to the highway, with pull-outs and short trails among the trunks.
Head back north on US-101 past Eureka and Arcata to Orick, the gateway to Redwood National and State Parks. Fern Canyon, with 50-foot walls covered in ferns, is reached by the unpaved Davison Road, which has stream crossings and does not allow trailers; in summer a day-use permit is required. Roosevelt elk often graze in the meadows near Prairie Creek.
North of Orick, the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway runs through tall redwood groves before rejoining US-101 toward Crescent City. The coast is often foggy in summer, and the parkways through the old-growth forest are narrow, so drive slowly and use the pull-outs.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Eureka
CA - 232 km
Ferndale
CA - 352 km
Avenue of the Giants
NatureWeott, CAA 31-mile road through old-growth coast redwoods in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, running parallel to US-101.
- 4133 km
Orick
CA - 515 km
Fern Canyon
NatureOrick, CAA narrow canyon with 50-foot walls completely covered in ferns. Summer access needs a day-use permit.
- 649 km
Crescent City
CA
