Day 3 Down the Pacific Coast Highway

The road trip south down Highway 101 continues.  About 11 miles south of Reedsport you will notice a sign for Eel Creek Campground.  Just after that sign will be signs for the John Dellenback trail.  Turn here and get ready for your 2nd dunes hike of the day.  If you thought the first hike had some impressive dunes, they are nothing compared to these.  The sheer enormity of these dunes are staggering.  You can follow the posts all the way to the beach.  It's a long hike, and if you want to just explore the dune area, feel free.  Climbing up and down these dunes can take hours, and it is well worth your time.

After two long hikes through sand, it's time to head to your next destination for the night.  Nestled on the very southern part of the Oregon coast lies Brookings.  There are numerous vacation rentals and some hotels in the area to stay.  After two big hikes, a delicious meal is always a welcome sight.  Head to Superfly Martini Bar and Grill for some delicious food and have one of their fun beverages too. I highly recommend the chicken bacon taters.  Head to the beach for sunset if you still have time and take it in.  For breakfast the next morning, try Mattie's Pancake House. They serve some of the best breakfast I have ever had.  The atmosphere there is also very fun and unique.  After you've fueled yourself up with food, it's time to head south into California for the last portion of the trip: The Redwood Forest.  

There are lots of trails scattered throughout the Redwood National and State Parks.  The best part about the trails is that access to them is free!  Hike through some ancient giant forests and wonder in awe at how something like this can exist in the world.  The numerous roads and scenic drives through the Redwoods might leave you wondering which are the best.  I recommend Howland Hill Road. There are some hiking trails off of this road and it will take you into the heart of the Redwoods.  Two hiking trails off of Howland Hill Road are the Stout Grove Trail and the Boy Scout Tree Trail.  Both take you into the Redwoods.  Make sure you get directions and get to them printed out, as you will be a bit outside of civilization here.  After you've explored this part of the Redwoods, head towards Crescent City. 

That's it for now.  The final part of the guide will come tomorrow, and I'll also explain how budget friendly this trip is.  Until then, thanks for reading! 

Part 1

Part 2