A Last-Minute Road Trip to Humboldt County
- The Best Life Awaits
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
We had a few days off for our daughter’s school break.
We didn’t feel like flying.
We didn’t want airport stress.
And most importantly, our girls didn’t want to leave the dog behind.
So — road trip it was.
We packed up the old minivan, tossed in the dog’s sleeping pad, dug out the ancient cigarette lighter chargers, and headed north.
A Stop Along the Russian River
Our goal wasn’t rigid.
Just one direction: North.
We pushed out of the Bay Area as quickly as possible and stopped just north of San Francisco along the Russian River.
The campground was spacious and relaxed — a mix of tents and RVs — with a wide, shallow stretch of river that was perfect for an evening swim.
The water was calm.
The current gentle.
The stress of home faded quickly.
Sometimes that first stop sets the tone for the entire trip. This one did.
Highway 1 and the Northern California Coast
The next morning we headed up California State Route 1 toward Humboldt.
California’s coastline is among the most dramatic in the world — and Northern California holds its own.
Yes, it’s colder than Southern California.
Much colder.
But the rugged cliffs, open bluffs, and moody skies make it unforgettable.
We stopped at Black Point Beach.
We crossed a field of wildflowers, descended a wooden staircase, and stepped onto the sand.
Technically, it was “crowded” — one person leaving and two others walking half a mile up the shore.
We braved the chaos and enjoyed the surf.
A Stop in Mendocino
We continued north and eventually reached Mendocino.
No reservations.
No itinerary.
Just curiosity.
That’s when we spotted people relaxing beneath a tall bridge at Big River Beach.
We found easy (and free) parking, walked down, and discovered plenty of space — and yes, it was dog-friendly.
This is where the Big River meets the Pacific Ocean.
And I’m convinced they compete to see which one can be colder.
We swam anyway.
We ate lunch on the sand.
We threw sticks for the dog.
We stayed for a few hours.
It was unplanned and perfect.
Camping in Humboldt Redwoods State Park
As we continued north, we eventually landed in Humboldt Redwoods State Park and found a fairly remote campground.
It was a government-run site — affordable, simple, not meticulously maintained — but quiet.
We had firewood.
We had space.
The dog was content.
We slept well under towering redwoods.
Sometimes “luxury” is just silence and tall trees.
A Perfect Afternoon on the Eel River
The next day we found what might have been the highlight of the trip: a quiet stretch of the Eel River.
In four or five hours, we saw only two other people.
The water was clear.
Not too deep.
Not painfully cold.
Just right.
We swam.
We ate.
We napped a bit.
We explored the banks.
And then we did it all again.
Tiny fish nibbled at our feet.
The dog wandered happily.
The afternoon stretched on without urgency.
It was one of those rare moments where you feel genuinely lucky — lucky to stumble onto a place like that, lucky to be together, lucky to be alive.
Why Trips Like This Matter
It’s easy to believe that the big, expensive vacations define your life.
But they don’t.
It’s the spontaneous road trips.
The old minivan.
The cold water.
The dog in the back.
The slightly disorganized, destination-light journeys.
Those are the memories that stick.
Even if the kids complain along the way.
Time together — unhurried and unpolished — is what endures.
Every small experience adds something.
A little more connection.
A little more gratitude.
A little more perspective.
And that’s how the best life happens.
Not all at once.
But one simple road trip at a time.
Every little thing makes your life better.
That's why the best life awaits.
Because your always making it a little better.
Check out our random trip up the California Coast:
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