19 replies to this topic

[White 21]

You might enjoy going north to  the Redwoods. Free camping is kind of limited and will probably require going inland some.

Pay camping this time of the year is pretty open I think. About 3.5 hours from Willits is Elk Prairie campground, very nice and not too far from Fern Canyon. Fern Canyon is beautiful, a easy hike but the it seems to be closed right now because of the weather, I would call to find out if the little bridges across the creek are in.  Fern Canyon Campground is right on the beach, probably see some elk there as well.  I think they like the salt.

 

There is a free dump station on the northbound rest area just north of Trinidad on the way out of the truck parking.

 

West of Garberville (Gville; other than gas not much to see) Sinkyone Wilderness state park has some camping at Usal Beach but I haven't been there in a long time and I would check to see if it available now. Very nice place, though kind of isolated as I remember. I should go there again myself sometime soon.

Edited by White 21, 02 February 2024 - 06:19 AM.

[DavidGraves]

Hi Vic

 

There is a lovely wildlife preserve just south of Monterey with easy walking access to a cove with high likely hood a seeing SEA otters.

 

Also, Pacific Grove, just south of Monterey has the wintering grounds of the Monarch butterfly....Sorry about the incident for your wife.

 

David Graves

[Vic Harder]

Thanks, White, David. The Monarchs sounds cool! And we did stay at Gold Bluffs. The boardwalks are NOT in at „Fern Gully“ and the river was running fast when we were there. The road to the gully is closed, but the road down to the beach is in good shape. The road AT the beach has many potholes. More potholes than flats…

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Vic if you are still in the Monterey area and want a nice hiking area the Pinnacles NP west side is about an hour south on hwy 101

at Soledad. With the resent rains there should be some nice water falls on the Balconies trail. Might even spot a Condor.

 

Also Point Lobos is great for viewing otters and lots of birds. Might even spot a Gray whale.

Have a great time.

Frank

[searching for nowhere]

More ideas.  I haven't been to any of these places.  These are on my todo list.

 

Bale grist mill east of Santa Rosa

https://napaoutdoors...-historic-park/

 

Luther Burbank garden in Santa Rosa

https://backyardtrav...dens-offer.html

 

Metamorphic rock

https://earth.google...nVuTVYgAToDCgEw

[Lighthawk]

Sorry to hear about your wife, Vic

 

If you're still around Feb 10th is the Mardi Gras parade in Nevada City.   If the weather is nice, it's a real hoot.

 

There's a number of national wildlife reserves near Willits, if you're into birding.

Table Mountain has a number of waterfalls that are starting to run, but it's tough hiking with loose volcanic rocks, so maybe not.

 

Sacramento has the train museum...

[Vic Harder]

We decided to drive to Willits today rather than tomorrow, just in case it was impossible to get north. It was super windy and we had periodic downpours, but with so few driver‘s on the road it was actually a pleasant drive (just glad we‘re in a ATC and not a full size camper!) even at speed.

At a bit of of a loss on where to drive to on Tuesday afternoon to head towards better weather. I looked this AM and the only „warm“ place was Cabo at the southern tip of Baja!

[Missing Link]

Hi Vic - Sorry to hear of your wife's misfortune.  I second Pinnacles National Park.  Also, though it may be too far, we live quite close to Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP and you would be welcome to spend a night at our place either in your camper or our guest room.  

Richard

[Smokecreek1]

If u make it to Willits, Vick I second trying for the Redwood NP on 101, and from there water up and if the roads are open head for Mattole Beach and CG at the Northern end of the King Range /or head north on 1-great drive, but no cgs on way north. U can also head over to Ft Bragg on 20 and head up the coast on 1 (lots of cg's on the way north) and if open the road and State cg at the South end of the Kin g Range.  Everything depends on the weather over there, but lots to see and do. good luck!

 

Smoke

Edited by Smokecreek1, 05 February 2024 - 07:19 PM.

[Ronin]

If you're taking Hwy101 towards Mendocino I'd try to get a site at Navarro SP at 101 and 128 (might be flooded!). Further east on 128 is Hendy Woods where you'll have a better chance of securing a spot. Further on east on 128 is Booneville where Anderson Brewing Co has some great brews. You can also find a place to spend the night and have a nice meal. Before heading back to the coast the Anderson/Navarro Valleys have excellent wineries. Many campgrounds near Mendocino are probably going to be closed from the current storms. If you go inland, Near Willits is Lk Pillsbury and LK Mendocino. They're both well developed. As you've probably realized virtually all of Ca is being hit by this massive storm. Good luck!!