The entire drive, once again was beautiful. There was a bit of haze, fog, marine layer over the headlands in the morning which made for a different feel. It was a bit chilly and cloudy, but we were ready to embark north to check off yet more items on our bucketlist.
Leaving the East Bay fairly early, we met up with the 1 in Bodega Bay. We meandered our way from Bodega Bay to Fort Bragg for our first day. We made stops at Point Arena, Stornetta Public Lands, Little River, Van Damme State Park, Mendocino (including Mendocino Headlands), and MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg. I wanted to see the sea glass beach in Fort Bragg but we weren't able to find it while it was still light out so we watched the sun set at MacKerricher and headed back into Fort Bragg to eat and sleep. As the sun set, there were four harbor seals in just off the coast that were paying extra special attention to us. They took turns popping up and down and watching us. I thought this was very cool, but as it turns out there are pretty territorial and were most likely making sure we weren't going in the water... or Kobi for that matter.
Stornetta Public Lands was a dog friendly place, wide open with lots of opportunities to watch the waves crash into the cliffs.
Pygmy forest, Van Damme State Park near Little River, CA
All growth is stunted due to the ancient soil the plants are growing on. It doesn't contain a lot of nutrients anymore. These trees look young, however they are quite old.
All growth is stunted due to the ancient soil the plants are growing on. It doesn't contain a lot of nutrients anymore. These trees look young, however they are quite old.
Mendocino Headlands
Sunset at MacKerricher State Park, Fort Bragg
We stopped at North Coast Brewing Company! We were very satisfied with our choice. Gourmet pizzas and craft beer! mmm I was even able to do a little Christmas Shopping in the gift shop attached to the restaurant!
The next morning we found the sea glass beach. Interestingly enough, the beach site was a landfill. Eventually, the trash was cleaned up but many broken glass pieces and bottles were too numerous to remove. After years of wave after, the pieces were polished. There is virtually no sand, it is all wave tumbled and polished sea glass. You are not supposed to take any!
We continued on 1 as far as we could go and then eventually had to turn on to 101 toward Leggett where some people are able to drive through a drive. The car was too big so we drove around it and then walked through it! Still very cool. The redwoods are incredible. Yes, it sounds like I am using a lot of big and wonderful adjectives but I truly believe there is no great way to describe the enormity and the beauty of these trees. They are almost magical in a sense. They are resilient, strong, beautiful, tall, and collectively groves of these trees are enchanting. Pictures and videos cannot even fully capture the details of what it is like to be in the presence of such a species.
Driving north on 101 from Leggett, we drove through Avenue of the Giants. More trees and touristy places to view tree drive-thrus, tree houses, tree cafes, etc. The Ave. of the Giants was so enjoyable, we did it on the way home too! The drive along the coast with redwoods towering around you every now and then is a bit surreal. Everything is green, lush, and just beautiful! We continued into the various state parks and to the National Park visitor center. We went up to Crescent City, but as it started to rain Eureka was looking like a better place to fill out bellies and settle in for the night.
Lost Coast Brewery, a great place for dinner with a fun atmosphere and obviously good beer was not the only fun place we found in Eureka. The Local Beer Bar had some great beers on tap, this is where I enjoyed the best sour I've ever had. The Black Lightning Motorcycle Cafe was a neat shop that serve both breakfast and coffee and host live music with beer in the evenings. Half is a cafe and half is a motorcycle shop.
The next morning we had a long way back to go so we didn't follow the same route. We took 101 all the way back with gave us some different scenery. Although, we did the Avenue of the Giants again we continued along 101 and had the opportunity to stop at Parducci, a local and sustainable winery. Then, we stopped at a brewery for lunch...yes a lot of alcohol for an afternoon but why not indulge when you have the opportunity.
It was another great long weekend enjoying some of California's best!
We continued on 1 as far as we could go and then eventually had to turn on to 101 toward Leggett where some people are able to drive through a drive. The car was too big so we drove around it and then walked through it! Still very cool. The redwoods are incredible. Yes, it sounds like I am using a lot of big and wonderful adjectives but I truly believe there is no great way to describe the enormity and the beauty of these trees. They are almost magical in a sense. They are resilient, strong, beautiful, tall, and collectively groves of these trees are enchanting. Pictures and videos cannot even fully capture the details of what it is like to be in the presence of such a species.
Driving north on 101 from Leggett, we drove through Avenue of the Giants. More trees and touristy places to view tree drive-thrus, tree houses, tree cafes, etc. The Ave. of the Giants was so enjoyable, we did it on the way home too! The drive along the coast with redwoods towering around you every now and then is a bit surreal. Everything is green, lush, and just beautiful! We continued into the various state parks and to the National Park visitor center. We went up to Crescent City, but as it started to rain Eureka was looking like a better place to fill out bellies and settle in for the night.
Lost Coast Brewery, a great place for dinner with a fun atmosphere and obviously good beer was not the only fun place we found in Eureka. The Local Beer Bar had some great beers on tap, this is where I enjoyed the best sour I've ever had. The Black Lightning Motorcycle Cafe was a neat shop that serve both breakfast and coffee and host live music with beer in the evenings. Half is a cafe and half is a motorcycle shop.
The next morning we had a long way back to go so we didn't follow the same route. We took 101 all the way back with gave us some different scenery. Although, we did the Avenue of the Giants again we continued along 101 and had the opportunity to stop at Parducci, a local and sustainable winery. Then, we stopped at a brewery for lunch...yes a lot of alcohol for an afternoon but why not indulge when you have the opportunity.
It was another great long weekend enjoying some of California's best!
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