Planning a Northern California Coast Redwood Adventure

Many childhood moments will become indelible memories for kids and adults alike. Embarking on a Northern California Coast Redwood Adventure that hits all the best places to visit on a northern California coast RV trip with kids, including dog-friendly hikes in Muir Woods National Monument, and that gets you and your family on the water for wildlife watching boat tours from Point Reyes National Seashore is destined to be one of the greatest summer vacations of your life. But before you rent an RV, pack clothes, toys, and bug spray, and start driving up and down Pacific Coast Highway Drive to and from San Francisco, you need a California RV Trip Itinerary that includes an option for free camping along California's Pacific Coast Highway for RVs.

Planning Your Northern California Coast Redwood Adventure

California 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, is a remarkable drive from San Diego to southern Oregon, passing through Los Angeles, Malibu, the Monterey Peninsula, San Francisco, and the majestic Redwood National Parks, including Muir Woods National Monument which may delight Star Wars fans. Having an RV and focusing on the Northern portions of the beautiful stretch of coastline will provide you and your family with a place to rest each night, stunning vistas for photographs, and the opportunity to stand before giants thanks to the shortest hike to see Redwoods in California, one of the best national parks to visit in summer.

California RV Trip Itinerary

Starting in or around San Francisco, your Northern California Coast Redwood Adventure gets off to a great start immediately in Muir Woods. For many years, it was believed that this pretty patch of redwood trees just north of the Bay Area was the home of Ewoks as the cinematic setting for the forest moon of Endor in Return of the Jedi, but sadly, that’s not true. Still, the scene is still a thrill and thanks to dog-friendly hikes in Muir Woods National Monument, you can bring your own leashed fuzzy Ewok and pretend to be in your own all-natural Star Wars theme park.

While on your RV trip, be sure to enjoy the delicious food and scenery in the famous city of houseboats on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. You will find unique things to do in Sausalito California, including seeing the impressive San Francisco Bay Model that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built. The Model is a working hydraulic scale model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta System with real water flowing into and out of it every day just like the real water in the bay and based on the real tides.

Wildlife Watching Boat Tours from Point Reyes National Seashore

Continuing north, you’ll soon come to this gorgeous seashore ideal for biking, kayaking, and fishing near national parks, but the big highlight is the wildlife watching boat tours from Point Reyes National Seashore. From whales to seals, elk to a diverse array of birds, this is not only one of the best places to visit on a Northern California coast RV trip with kids, it’s one of the most beautiful nature sites in the entire country.

After gawking at the sight of whales in the ocean, make a Pacific Coast Highway drive for another hour to one of the seafood capitals of the U.S. There may be more fresh seafood restaurants in Bodega Bay California than anywhere in America. Try the beloved Spud Point Crab Company, The Birds Cafe, or Fishetarian Fish Market where you and your kids can sink your teeth into the freshest seafood while enjoying picturesque sunset views.

As you drive up the PCH, you’ll pass through Redwood National Parks and State Parks with plenty of spots to pull over and just stand before the most spectacular trees you’ll ever see. They are just there, on the side of the road, watching to be hugged and admired. For a magical diversion from the Redwoods, look into Ferm Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach along the Northern California coast.

Free Camping Along California's Pacific Coast Highway for RVs

Free camping along California's Pacific Coast Highway for RVs may be available on public lands administered by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and the USFS (US Forest Service), including in Orick, CA near the Redwood National Parks where the best of the wheelchair accessible trails in redwood national parks can be found. The Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in Orick is flat, a loop, and only 1.4 miles, and can be completed in about a half an hour, but doesn’t skimp on the towering trees. While wheelchairs are easy to push only this path, dogs are not allowed on this hiking trail so leave Fido in the RV during this portion of your Northern California Coast Redwood Adventure!

 Find more summer hiking tips and ideas for weekend backpacking trips here!