Redwood Romance Itinerary

Humboldt County means romance. Beautiful redwood forests, lots of gorgeous beaches to explore, quant fishing villages, historic inns and great restaurants.

Here is a list of what to do and where to go for a romantic vacation in the redwoods. Explore all the romance each of these regions of Humboldt County has to offer.

Lodging:
There are plenty of romantic places to stay on the coast, in the redwoods, or in Victorian Boutique properties.  Reserve your room

What to Do:
Take a hike through the redwoods. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park within Redwood National Park has more than 70 miles of trails to explore. One of the more popular hikes is the James Irvine Trail. This trail starts at the Prairie Creek Redwoods Visitor Center and takes you through old growth redwoods and then drops you down into the famous Fern Canyon*. Keep in mind that driving to Fern Canyon requires a permit, however if you hike the James Irvine Trail you can access Fern Canyon without a permit. From there you can walk out of the canyon and onto Gold Bluffs Beach where you can enjoy lunch at a picnic table while watching the waves crash onto the sand. You might even see some Roosevelt Elk, they like to hang out on this beach.

*Due to the volume of visitors, California State Parks / National Park Service will require Day Use Permits to access to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon.  Reservations will be required May 15th to September 15th. Reservations are not required September 16th to May 14th. Visitors are still required to pay the day-use fee.  Apply for a Permit: https://www.redwoodparksconservancy.org/permits/fern-canyon-permits

It may sound cliché but a long walk on one of these beaches is sure to be romantic. There are many to choose from, here’s a few to get you started. Trinidad State Beach, Luffenholtz Beach, Moonstone, Little River and Clam Beaches, Gold Bluffs Beach and Agate Beach. Dining: The Moonstone Grill has excellent seafood and windows all the way around the restaurant, which overlooks Moonstone Beach. The Sunset Restaurant in Cher-Ae Heights Casino also has beautiful views of the bay and ocean.

Eureka, Arcata and Blue Lake have Boutique lodging as well as Bed & Breakfasts, and vacation rentals. 

What to do:
Take in the sights of Historic Eureka with Old Town Carriage Company. While riding in a horse drawn carriage Marty will guide you on a most unique & informative tour of Eureka's once bustling commercial district. Take a trip aboard the Madaket in Humboldt Bay. The Madaket is the last survivor of seven original ferries that transported mill workers and families around Humboldt Bay. Built in 1910 and refurbished in 1989. Today the vessel regained a new life as Humboldt Bay's harbor cruise flag boat. Take a 75 minute narrated cruise around Humboldt Bay as you learn about Humboldt Bay, its main attractions and the wildlife that inhabit the bay. You can also take the one-hour cocktail cruise where you can enjoy drinks from California’s smallest licensed bar. Kayak around Humboldt Bay   Take a walking or driving tour of Eureka’s historic Victorian buildings. This tour will give you a glimpse of houses and commercial buildings that span 1880s to 1920s.  Another tour to take is the Haunted History Ghost Tour in Old Town Eureka. Take the tour and learn about Eureka's past and its haunted present.

Walk around the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a prime spot for birding, hiking (all easy hikes) and great views of the Arcata Bay. At any time of the year birds or mammals can be viewed from one of the many trails that network the over 225 acres that are open to the public.

Indulge yourselves in a couples massage at the Chumayo Spa in Blue Lake. Chumayo offers a variety of massage modalities including swedish deep tissue, prenatal cranio-Sacral, energy balancing, hot stone, southwest desert mineral scrub, southwest desert facial massage, vino therapy scrub and reiki geriatric.

Dining: The Sea Grill in Old Town Eureka specializes in fresh local seafood and since opening in 1988, the menu has featured a wide variety of fresh seafood, exquisitely prepared to your liking: ­sautéed, grilled, charbroiled, broiled, poached, pan or deep fried, and accompanied by delicate sauces. Restaurant 301 near the Carson Mansion in Old Town Eureka offers dining guests the option to select from an A La Carte Menu or embark on the culinary excellence of the Discovery Menu or the Chef’s Grand Menu — tasting experiences that include wine pairings with all of the delicious courses, each one more fabulous than the last. Abruzzi Restaurant on the Arcata Plaza features Italian specialties, sauces, and desserts. House made pasta and fresh seafood are always available. There is a full bar in addition to an extensive wine list. The Plaza Grill is located on the third floor of the historic Jacoby Storehouse building, overlooking the town of Arcata and Humboldt Bay from the original wood-framed windows. Dinner selections include steak, burgers, fresh seafood, salads and vegetarian dishes. 

Explore the Victorian village of Ferndale. Nestled in a verdant, pastoral valley near Northern California's redwood forests, Ferndale was founded in 1852. A prosperous dairy industry provided the economic base, and the blend of agriculture and architecture produced splendidly ornate buildings that are known today as "Butterfat Palaces. Dining: Dine at the VI Restaurant in Ferndale. From fine dining to serious comfort food, the VI’s extensive menu is sure to satisfy every culinary mood. Creatively prepared Fresh Fish, Portuguese Paella, scrumptious Roast Chicken, Iron Skillet Steak and irresistible house-made desserts.

Drive the Avenue of the Giants. Surrounded by Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which has the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods in the world, this 31-mile portion of old Highway 101 runs parallel to Hwy 101 and is accessible by most vehicles. You will be amazed at how close you can drive to the redwoods. Take a hike in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. There are miles and miles of trails in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. They will take you through lavish redwood groves and show you amazing trees. Drive through a redwood: The Shrine Drive Thru Tree has been attracting visitors for years. Located in Myers Flat, four miles south of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center, it's an easy stop right on the Avenue of the Giants -- just look for the signs and the Gift Shop. Shelter Cove/Lost Coast Lodging: Shelter Cove offers great inns, all overlooking the beautiful coastline.

Go tide pooling at Mal Coombs Park in Shelter Cove. Here you will find periwinkles, limpets, sea lettuce, acorn barnacles, some shore crabs, turban snails, sea stars, hermit crabs and sculpins (which change their color to match the surrounding algae). Look for sea sacks and anemones just above the pools, and just below look for mussels, goose barnacles and sea palms. In the low zones, uncovered only during the lowest tides of the month, you can find abalone, sponges, rock crabs, urchins and maybe even an octopus. Tour the Cape Mendocino Light House at Mal Coombs Park. This lighthouse was originally built on a cliff on Cape Mendocino, the westernmost point in California in 1868. The 43 foot tower was 422 feet above sea level. In 1998, the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse Preservation Society moved the tower to Shelter Cove, 30 miles south of Cape Mendocino. After two years of restoration, the tower was opened to the public in May 2000. Visit Black Sands Beach. This is a large, mostly west-facing, black sands beach with offshore reefs just north of the town of Shelter Cove. Black Sands Beach is a picturesque and relaxing. The black sand that covers the beach and has given the spot its name is very unusual. There are offshore reefs in this area that can create peeling lines of consistent and well-shaped surf.