In fifth grade, I did my state report on Oregon and learned about its beautiful history and natural sights. Over Spring Break, I had the opportunity to visit and see some of these sights for myself. Not only did I make it to Oregon, but I was also able to visit Fort Bragg and Humboldt along the way. This trip encompassed many national parks and must-see stops. Hopefully my article may serve as a guide if you ever decide to explore the northwest coast.
One of my first stops was Fort Bragg, which is a small town, known for it’s scenic cliffs and beaches. Many people living in this town are old veterans, giving it the stereotype of a “hippie town.” Some of its most well known places are Cowlicks Ice Cream for delicious and uniquely flavored ice cream. I recommend the Black Forest, which is made of fudge and fresh cherries. Another stop to make is Glass Beach. This beach is full of little (harmless) pieces of glass mixed in with the sand. The waves wash up the glass and leave breathtaking views.
Now, on the way to Humboldt, you may be tempted to stop and visit Eureka. I recommend skipping this stop. Eureka is not the town of history and beauty it used to be. It is rather run down and I wish I had spent more time in Humboldt County instead. Humboldt County is home to some beautiful national parks, such as Redwoods State Park. If you go to Redwoods State Park, you must drive down the narrow, single lane road to Fern Canyon. In Fern Canyon is a river you must traverse through (you will get wet) to see natural waterfalls and different kinds of ferns. Because of how much rain Northern California received this year, the river was rather full. However, the water only goes up to your shins and it is still safe to move through.
Lastly, I made it to Ashland Oregon, a small town known for Shakespeare and Lithia Park. If you are in Ashland, you may be tempted to drive over to Crater Lake. However, Crater Lake is a three-hour drive each way and it was a freezing temperature of 27 degrees with 50 mph winds. I would only recommend visiting Crater Lake if you plan on going in the summer. If you are in Ashland, you can purchase a $30 ticket to see a Shakespeare play, which are shown at least once a day. The theater is located next to Lithia Park – a park built by the same man who created Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Walk through the park and enjoy the beautiful bridges, creeks, and ponds.
I hope this travel guide provides of service for you if you ever plan on exploring the North West Coast. There is true beauty; much different from anything you could see here in Irvine.