Planning an elopement in the redwoods? Here is a guide on where to stay in the local area for the best redwood coast experience

Lodging

RV + Campsites

Tent, car, and RV camping are some of the best options for staying near the redwoods. This is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the redwood forest. Imagine sitting around a campfire surrounded by giant trees and waking up to the sound of bird song or waves crashing on the beach. The Northern California and Southern Oregon coast offer some of the most epic places to camp in the West.

• Elk Country 🐾
• Sue Meg State Park 🐾
• Grizzly Creek State Park 🐾
• Humboldt Redwoods State Park 🐾
• Camp Trinidad 🐾
• Sylvan Harbor RV Camp & Cabins 🐾
• The Retreat at Redwood Shores 🐾

Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals are another excellent option if camping isn’t your vibe. There are a ton of cute cabins and unique stays that offer access to the redwoods and the ocean. Renting an entire home to yourselves offers privacy and a great place to get ready for your elopement day.

• Beachfront Craftsman Home | Crescent City
• Lighthouse in Brookings
• Beachfront Couples Retreat | Crescent City
• Cabin in the Redwoods | Crescent City 🐾
• Riverfront Cabin in the Redwoods | Crescent City
• Riverfront Cabin | Crescent City
• Ocean-view Cabin | Brookings 🐾
• Ocean-view Home in Trinidad
• Unique Architecture in the Redwoods | Trinidad
• Ocean-view Cabin | Trinidad 🐾
• Large Home with Ocean Views | Trinidad 🐾
• Trinidad Cabin with Ocean Views 🐾

Privately Owned Inns

A stay at a locally and privately owned inn is also an excellent idea for your redwood elopement. There are many adorable inns and B&B’s that are way better options than your typical chain hotels (you’ll learn more about why I don’t recommend chain hotels below). These places are often very well cared for, offer better customer service, and have their own unique charm. Plus you are supporting a locally owned business!

• The Trinidad Inn | Trinidad 🐾
• The Pinc Lady Victorian Mansion | Eureka
• Victorian Village Inn | Ferndale
• Benbow Historic Inn | Garberville 🐾

Why I Don’t Recommend Chain Hotels

Having grown up in Northern California, I have stayed at my fair share of hotels on the redwood coast, so I have personally watched the decline in quality and increase in price. Places like Motel 6 can be well over $200/night which is insane given the state of these properties. After many tries (and fails) over recent years, my husband and I have given up on staying at hotels and opt for one of the options above. We have found stays at popular chains to be noisy, lack cleanliness, and have expensive pet fees.

The Local Area

Trinidad, CA

Trinidad is one of my favorite areas to explore on the redwood coast. This picturesque beach town sits on a hill with sweeping views of the ocean and has so many cute shops to explore. Grab dinner at the Seascape before watching the sunset at Trinidad State Beach. The beaches in this area feature gorgeous rock stacks and sea cliffs.

Close to: Sue-Meg State Park, Humboldt Lagoons State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Brookings, OR

Brookings is another cute, coastal town that is just over the California/Oregon border. This hub offers close proximity to giant redwood groves and an incredible coastline filled with seastacks, rock arches, and sand dunes.

Nearby: Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Arcata, CA

Arcata is home to Cal Poly Humboldt and offers classic college-town vibes with its own unique flair. It is the North Coast’s most progressive town with a historic downtown plaza surrounded by boutique shops, dive bars, and restaurants. From here you can easily access beautiful redwood groves in the Arcata Community Forest or head to the beach in Samoa.

Eureka, CA

Sitting just south of Arcata is Eureka – a town famous for it’s incredible Victorian architecture and historic district aka “Old Town”. Eureka sits right on the Humboldt Bay and has excellent seafood options, charter fishing, and has locally-painted murals throughout.

Ferndale, CA

Located near the gateway to the Lost Coast, Ferndale or the “Victorian Village” is well-known for its 19th-century architecture. This quaint town is filled with historical and ornate homes and storefronts. 

Things to Do Near the Redwoods

The redwood coast has so many options for things to do, from hiking and camping to local breweries to ocean kayaking there are endless opportunities to spend your time here. These activities can be a fun way to make your elopement day even more memorable and unique!

• Go kayaking on the Trinidad Bay or in the lagoons with Kayak Trinidad
• Grab beers and food at local breweries like the Eel River Brewing Co, Mad River Brewing, and Humboldt Brewing Co.
• Charter fishing
• Go swimming in the Smith, Eel, Trinity Rivers
• River rafting on the Trinity River with Bigfoot Rafting or Trinity River Rafting
• Hit the mountain bike trails in the Arcata Community Forest
• Hike through redwood groves
• Check out the Roosevelt Elk in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
• Explore Fern Canyon
• Attend the Arcata Plaza Farmers’ Market
• Get fresh baked goods from Ramone’s Bakery
• Hit up outdoor stores like Picky Picky Picky or Pacific Outfitters
• Check out local artisans at the Friday Night Markets in Eureka during the summer
• Explore local beaches like Trinidad State Beach, Centerville Beach, Samoa Beach, College Cove, Clam Beach
• Walk the Redwood Skywalk at Sequoia Park Zoo
• Ride the gondola and check out the redwood skywalk at Trees of Mystery
• Walk through the Humboldt Botanical Gardens