Today was our second “long” drive day from San Francisco to Eureka, California but we had some amazing stops along the way.  

We started our day on Lombard Street in San Francisco – the most crooked street in the US! I am so glad I didn’t have to learn to drive a stick shift on this street! Yikes!!

(And yes, I was hanging out of the car to make these pictures)

After Lombard Street, we headed out of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge. We ooh’d and ah’d all the way across that Bridge! 

We headed north up Highway 101 to Muir Woods. If you ever need to feel insignificant, come see these trees – WOW! 

The boys could not get over how big these Sequoias were! But they were not happy that they couldn’t climb on the fallen ones – the park asked that you stay on the path to help with lower growth. 

But the sheer size of these giants made up for their disappointment. See if you can spot Mike and boys in this picture:

Here’s a close up:

So yea, we’re pretty much just a speck compared to these mega-trees! We spent so much time in Muir Woods (and getting another In-N-Out burger – seriously, these things are awesome), that we were thinking of skipping the next redwood forest.  However, with a little help on google, we discovered that there was a redwood forest that you can drive through – and it was “a scenic alternative” to Highway 101. Perfect!

So here we go on another detour (ball of twine 4 short hours away…)

I am so thankful that we didn’t miss this! When they call it The Avenue of the Giants, they are not kidding! The redwoods of Muir Woods were babies compared to these -AND we could climb in and on everything! 

Let the climbing begin…

This is the root of that same tree

Seriously, we couldn’t even make it halftway around this thing with all four of us!

It was just an amazing drive and so glad we didn’t take the fastest route and miss this free 😍 adventure! 

Then we tried to do one of the drive-thru trees (and I loved their entrance – depending on good ol’fashioned honesty)

But the drive through tree was only 7 feet 7 inches wide and 7 fee tall… And we were in a rental mini-SUV… So, here’s the picture

And that’s as far as we went 😜 We did drive across a redwood and see a redwood playhouse… Okay, it was hokey, but I paid $6, and at least it was Storyland! 😝
We really enjoyed the drive – stretched a quick 4+ hour drive into 9+ hours, but it was so worth it!

We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Eureka (if you’re ever here stay at this one on Wabash St. It’s brand new, indoor pool and great staff). In talking with the staff at check-in, I mentioned that we would love some fresh seafood. Keep in mind it was 8:30 at this point. The lady at check-in said Jack’s Seafood is open until 9pm and food is great (her boyfriend was the cook). So off we go… On the way, I started checking Trip Advisor to make sure I wasn’t taking my children to a Deliverance-restaurant. 4.5 stars on trip advisor about food and service… With a special note that Danielle was the best server.  We arrive at Jack’s, which closes at 9, at 8:55 – whew! And guess who our server was… Danielle! And yes, she was fantastic! Boys told her all about our trip so far, even showing her pictures of the Redwoods. And the food – Oh My Goodness!  This may be the best meal we have had in this trip, and as you know, we have eaten well!

We finished off the evening with some swimming and hot tub time, and then watched the Olympics.  

Tomorrow we leave California and head to Cave Junction, Oregon. I have to admit that Mike and I are leaving California with a whole different attitude about the state and its people. We have had a blast and can’t wait to see what we can get into in Oregon!!!