5 Full Days Road Trip: Northern California to Oregon
🌲 6-Day Coastal & Redwoods Road Trip
From Moonstone Beach to the Natural Bridges
A soul-filling adventure through Northern California and Southern Oregon
🗺️ Overview:
Trip Style: Relaxed, nature-packed, ideal for early risers & sunset chasers
Start/End: Fly in & out of Medford, Oregon (MFR)
Route Highlights: Coastal towns, misty redwoods, beach walks, scenic overlooks
Total Drive Time (spread out): ~8–9 hours across 6 days
Perfect For: Photographers, hikers, mindful travelers, and anyone craving forest + ocean magic.
Day 1: ✈️ Arrival in Medford → Coastal Escape to Trinidad, CA
Drive time: ~3.5 hours
Vibe: Travel day with fresh-air finale
Welcome to Southern Oregon! Once you’ve grabbed your rental car, head south toward the charming coastal town of Trinidad, California. The drive winds through forested valleys and hints of redwoods — a little preview of what’s to come.
🛏️ Where to stay: Cozy cottage or oceanside inn in Trinidad, CA
🌅 Evening idea: Head to Moonstone Beach for a sunset stroll with tidepools and maybe even a seal sighting.
Day 2: 🐚 Chill Coastal Vibes in Trinidad
Vibe: Slow morning, beachy afternoon, golden hour magic
Sleep in a bit, sip your coffee with an ocean view, and let the pace of Trinidad ease you into vacation mode. This is your buffer day to wander, unwind, and connect with the coast.
🧭 Options for the day:
Explore Trinidad State Beach — arch rocks + tide pools
Stroll the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse overlook
Visit Trinidad Head Loop Trail for a short scenic hike
Browse local shops & galleries downtown
Enjoy fresh seafood at Seascape Restaurant on the pier
🌙 Evening: Catch sunset again or enjoy a beach bonfire (check local rules).
Day 3: 🌲 Redwoods Day — Fern Canyon + Coastal Bluffs
Drive time: ~1 hour total with stops
Vibe: Towering trees + misty magic
Wake up early and head north into Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, home to the iconic Fern Canyon and scenic drives that make you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
🧭 Must-sees:
Sue-Meg State Park (formerly Patrick’s Point): cliffs, tidepools, Yurok village
Fern Canyon Trail: 1-mile stroll through lush, dripping canyon walls
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway: slow cruise under 300-ft giants
Optional hike: Trillium Falls Loop (2.6 miles through ferns & waterfalls)
🚗 Late afternoon, continue south to Crescent City, your next overnight stop.
🛏️ Where to stay: Beachfront inn or cozy retro motel
🍽️ Dinner tip: Try SeaQuake Brewing or North Coast Ocean Sports Café
📸 [Photo Placeholder: Fern Canyon footbridges or redwood forest drive]
Day 4: 🌉 Oregon Coast Wonders + Redwood Backroads → Grants Pass
Drive time: ~3 hours total
Vibe: Cliffs, arches, redwoods, and a river town
Start the day with an early detour south into Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park — this park is dense, quiet, and full of cathedral-like redwoods. Stop at Stout Grove or walk part of the Boy Scout Tree Trail.
Then head north on Highway 101 into Oregon’s crown jewel: the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor.
🧭 Can’t-miss coastal stops (in order):
Secret Beach Trail — magical cove with sea stacks
Natural Bridges Viewpoint — Insta-famous arches
Arch Rock + Thunder Rock Cove — short loops with big views
Indian Sands Trail — windswept dunes meet crashing waves
🚗 Afternoon: Head inland via Hwy 199 to Grants Pass, nestled in the Rogue Valley.
🛏️ Where to stay: Boutique inn or riverside lodge
🌙 Evening: Explore the charming downtown or relax by the river.
📸 [Photo Placeholder: Natural Bridges Viewpoint or Secret Beach from above]
Day 5: 🌄 Slow Morning + Rogue Valley Wandering
Vibe: Recover, recharge, and roam
Today’s all about pacing. You’ve earned a slower day to enjoy the inland beauty of Oregon.
☀️ Ideas for the day:
Walk the Rogue River Greenway Trail
Explore downtown Grants Pass (boutiques, bakeries, antique shops)
Visit Rogue Creamery for a cheese tasting
Book a jet boat tour if you want one last thrill
🌅 End the day with a golden hour stroll or drink at a riverside brewery.
📸 [Photo Placeholder: Rogue River at sunset or small-town downtown scene]
Day 6: 🚗 Grants Pass → Medford → Homebound
Drive time: ~1 hour
Vibe: Smooth wrap-up
Grab an early breakfast (try Buttercloud Bakery in Medford), return your rental, and fly home with redwood magic still lingering in your lungs.
📸 [Photo Placeholder: Latte and pastry on departure morning]
Travel Tips
🐾 Many stops are pet-friendly — bring a leash and check local rules.
🥾 Bring waterproof shoes for Fern Canyon and coastal trails.
🎒 Pack layers — coastal mornings are chilly even in summer.
🗺️ Download offline maps — some forested areas have no cell service.
