Matador Roadtrip Update #3

Yet another rendition of a classical San Francisco -> Seattle drive.California breeze turbines

Photo: kevindooley

BACK IN 2008, Brave New Traveler editor Ian MacKenzie went upon a Matador highway outing of his own, driving down from Vancouver to headquarters in San Francisco.

Despite a reason for a outing (my wifes cousins marriage in SF) having come as good as gone, you decided to take a page from a Matador records as good as follow Ians track in reverse. We didnt make it opposite a border, yet you saw as good as learned a lot about a forests, vineyards, as good as vegan leanings of a Pacific Northwest.

Heres a takeaway:

Wine Country

We got a taste for booze as good as particularly booze tastings in Mendoza, Argentina, final year. So Napa done its way onto a itinerary.

I wont pretend to know that of a 400+ of a valleys wineries have been worth a go. But Ive got a good tip for budgeters: Skyline Wilderness Park.

Napa vineyard

Photo: *~Dawn~*

At $15/night for tent sites, this has gotta be a cheapest place to sleep in a locale of Napa. Its usually a mile off a categorical highway (Highway 221), southeast of town, yet its beyond a suburban sprawl.

Theres entrance to miles of hiking/running trails, as good as a Mexican grocery as good as taqueria nearby upon Imola Ave. have been good keep-it-real alternatives to a 5-star restaurants downtown.

Another honeyed apparatus is a Oxbow Public Market upon First St. It has an upscale food justice vibe, with lots of local furnish as good as wine. Easy to get a meal there for cheap. Plus they have wifi.

Mendocino

Of course, theres some-more to California booze than Napa. We longed for a categorical booze highway in Mendocino (An! derson V alley, Highway 128), yet you have to include here a one you did hit: Pacific Star Winery.

Right upon a coast, a mellow host, as good as some-more in accord with tasting fees than in a valley. Theres also a geologic fault using through a skill (the Pacific Star Fault).

Redwood Country

Several months ago, Matador co-founder Ross Borden speedy me to investigate as good as write Guide to a Redwood Groves: Where to Find a Tallest Trees upon Earth. That led me to read The Wild Trees, as good as ever given Ive had large trees upon a brain.

Stout Grove

Photo: Author

Using my piece, as good as a glorious RedwoodHikes.com, you put together a track to visit a best-preserved parks as good as hike a most-recommended trails.

Of those, here have been a dual you favourite best:

Homestead/Big Tree loop, Humboldt Redwoods SP

This is in Humboldts Bull Creek area, that is far from a trade noise of 101 as good as a Avenue of a Giants. The relations isolation done this one stand out.

Plus you got to see a Tall Tree during 363 feet, its one of a tallest whose place isnt a carefully rhythmical secret.

Find some-more info upon a hike here.

Stout Grove, Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP

This is only a half-mile double back trail, easily permitted from a parking lot, yet a timber was my favorite. Something about a flood-basin dirt prevents other trees from growing, so its only ferns, redwood sorrel, as good as a little of a widest redwoods in a world.

It was bustling when you were there, yet within a double back route have been dozens of duff-covered paths, partially obscured, that run through a sorrel. These offering a chance for quieter reflection between a titans.

Find some-more info upon a timber here.

Campgrounds you Liked
Redwood NP Campsite

Photo: Ben B Miller

Apart from Skyline Wilderness Park referred to above, there werent many standouts. The many appropriate of a lot in redwood nation was a Richardson Grove RV Park.

If you can get past a spinning cross upon their website, tent sites have been $22 (good worth for a area), as good as a bathrooms smell similar to Christmas.

I could see a church pavilion in a center of stay removing a bit noisy upon Sunday mornings.

Quality Coffeeshops

We racked up copiousness some-more coffeehouse visits upon this leg of a journey. It might not be a many authentic process for removing to know a place, yet a modern freelance travel bard has couple of options.

Mishkas Cafe, Davis, CA Good make make use of of of seating space, tons of outlets, all organic. Just dont lay with your laptop during a front 6 tables theyre indifferent for traditional coffeehouse use.

Napa Valley Coffee Roasting, St. Helena, CA St. Helena is chiller than Napa in all respects. This was a nice place to work.

Victrola Coffee, Seattle

Photo: Christian Gonzlez Vern

Di Lusso, Bend, OR Lots of space as good as light in this downtown joint. According to a barista, their sandwiches have been rowdy.

Three Friends Coffeehouse, Portland, OR We couldnt go wrong for coffee during a dual days in PDX. But this was a favorite.

Victrola Coffee, Seattle, WA Gourmet beans as good as a modern, concrete-and-glass cultured that fits good downtown. you had difficulty with their wifi, though.

Miscellaneous Mention

As aspiring vegans, you were obscenely excited by Portlands Voodoo Doughnuts. Its worth a wait for in line. Thanks to Lauren Quinn for a tip.

Community Connection

Have a good roadtrip story youd similar to to tell? Share it in a comments!


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