Cottage Grove OR—128 miles south of Portland,
off I-5 (abt a 2 hr drive unless you catch traffic ills)
     Cottage Grove is the southern tip of the fertile Willamette Valley that prompted travel on the Oregon Trail, and pretty well peopled the Pacific Northwest—at least until there were gold discoveries.  Several times I’ve seen a sign about Applegate (one branch of the Oregon Trail) information at a Cottage Grove exit.  I had a chance to take that exit on my trip to visit the Redwoods and Crescent City.  Unfortunately, it was the back way in, and 6 miles from the city itself.  I suggest taking exit 174 straight on to Gateway Blvd and follow it until it meets Main St, then turn right onto Main Street.  The Veterans Park has the interpretive signs about the Applegate (Oregon) Trail.  It’s on W Main St and River Road. 

• The Cottage Grove Museum is just 3 blocks from the Veterans Park: take North H St off N. River Road. https://www.cottagegrovemuseum.com/  
• The Bohemia Gold Mining Museum is across the street from Bohemia Park (South 10th St) https://www.bohemiagoldminingmuseum.com/
• Oregon Aviation Historical Society (2475 Jim Wright Way) https://oregonaviation.org/welcome/   includes a video

     As I wheeled around the Veterans Park and environs, I met a local who said that Cottage Grove area is for bike riding.  She also directed me to follow the paved walk from the Veterans Park (through the covered bridge) north behind the police station, to a cute little unnamed park with parking and a picnic table.  She suggested continuing east from there, but curbs became a problem.  One of several fantastic murals is in the little square at Main & 7th street, restrooms as well.
     But south of Veterans Park (across Main St) along River Road is Riverside Park. Continuing south along the picturesque Coast Fork Willamette River (and people fishing it) .2 mi further is Prospector Park, .4 mi from there is the Chambers Covered Railroad Bridge you can walk or roll through (manual wheelchairs might need a helper on the ramp). 
    There are more parks, free parking areas, a speedway http://www.visitcottagegrove.com/outdoor-recreation  and a state airport.  Hotels are handy, restaurants ready, and shopping convenient enough as you come off the freeway as well as in the historic part of town (though some of the older parts of town suffer from business booming near the freeway).  More recreational info at https://www.cgchamber.com/outdoor-recreation/ Here’s a 1 min video the city has done.   The two rivers mentioned are the Coast Fork Willamette and the Row River.

• http://www.elocallink.tv/m/v/player.php?pid=w3a7Q9p4A91&fp=orcotgr17_wel_rev3_iwd 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Fork_Willamette_River  

Canyonville OR—200 mi south of Portland, 100 mi north of the OR/CA border, pop about 2000
     As I drove south on I-5, on a sudden I saw a sign about Applegate info, and took the exit to Canyonville.  A Google search and a call to the local Pioneer & Indian Museum furnished me with directions to Pioneer Park (E 5th St & Canyon Ave), where the highway department has built an attractive open structure to house excellent information about the Applegate arm of the Oregon Trail. 
     It’s a really inviting park for a picnic and play, and the fun annual Canyonville Pioneer Days the 3rd weekend of August (in ordinary years) “...an old‑fashioned, small‑town festival featuring a parade, live entertainment on stage, barbecues and pie auctions, cake walks and bingo, car shows, frog jumps, tugs of war, lawn mower race, a craft show, an antiques and collectibles show and dances.“  The park also has an amazing cross section of a grand old Douglas Fir (9 ft diameter, 142 years old when Columbus discovered America, and would build a 3 bedroom home).    
       It probably makes more sense to go to the museum first (exit 98, then turn west on SW 5th Street).  It’s free, but a donation is much appreciated.  The museum is a complex of several buildings.  Because of limited time I was only able to visit the main museum, as well as see the outdoor displays.  They have utilized every inch of the main museum in clever and pleasant ways.  The volunteer working there was so very nice and accommodating.  https://www.pioneerindianmuseum.org/p/homepage.html
     Canyonville City Hall has an information kiosk (250 N. Main St).  

9.5 min video pub 2015 Grants Pass to Canyonville
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgIa-gs3I8c&ab_channel=InterstateKyle

Applegate Trail Interpretive Center
exit 71 off I-5
     The Applegate Trail Interpretive Center, Sunny Valley OR, is just 14 miles north of Grants Pass.  It wasn’t open when I came through.  In ordinary years they have an annual reenactment (flyer would be on first site below).  In sight down the road is the covered bridge. 

• http://www.rogueweb.com/interpretive/
• https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/attractions/museums/applegate-trail-interpretive-center/
• http://www.hugoneighborhood.org/brochureeight.htm
• https://travelgrantspass.com/attraction/applegate-trail-interpretive-center/
• http://thecentralcascades.com/applegate-trail-interpretive-center-museum/
• https://www.inspirock.com/united-states/sunny-valley/applegate-trail-interpretive-center-a156590893
• https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/sunny-valley-or/points-of-interest/applegate-trail-interpretive-center​​

Manzanita Rest Area
     Not far, literally up the road from Grants Pass is the Manzanita Rest Area. The grass was lush and green, mushrooms flourishing, oaks spreading their limbs for lovely shade and drops of acorns.  There were picnic tables (including accessible on a paved pad), paved paths, accessible restrooms (one building with really nice accessible restroom and another building with a disabled stall that is not wheelchair friendly).  Interesting historic markers, and informational signs about the Applegate (Oregon) Trail, all delighted me.

Grants Pass
     Grants Pass is not a small town anymore.  It’s a small city of about 40,000, with a lot to offer, and more in the offing.  On the way south you can take off I-5 at the exit that says 99 to 199 and go with the flow.  On my way north I took comfort in the easy-to-follow signs to I-5.  I saw historic downtown on the way down, and up and coming city life on the way up.  I was impressed by the way they are able to complement their historic heritage and yet provide prosperous prospects.  For excitement Roseburg Downs has horseracing, Hellgate Jetboat Excursions offers a number of options on the Rogue River, from 2 hours to 5 hours, some with brunch, lunch, or dinner https://hellgate.com/  I didn't have time to stop for photo ops, but here are some great resources if you want to plan a trip to the Grants Pass area.

• https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/
• https://travelgrantspass.com/
• https://www.grantspasschamber.org/
• https://traveloregon.com/places-to-go/cities/grants-pass/?utm_actcampaign=967294044&gclid=CjwKCAjw_NX7BRA1EiwA2dpg0nz7TI2Cp2YanE-E3pJwm7OENIrVc8KR5UIjPDc8yxleBUl20u0P6xoC6o8QAvD_BwE
• https://www.tripsavvy.com/fun-in-grants-pass-oregon-4015525
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grants_Pass,_Oregon

Hwy 199
     From Grants Pass to the California border, Hwy 199 takes you through the dry forests and scrubland of Josephine county OR.  People in this county appreciate fire fighters, as they have seen no shortage of wildfires over the years.  From O'Brien OR the road climbs up to Collier Tunnel (2100’ Google says).  The OR/CA border is just north of that tunnel.  An agricultural checkpoint hopes to deter risk to California's agriculture from pandemics introduced via produce from other areas.  
     Here’s a good 12.5 min video of the ride from Grants Pass to Crescent City https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nIJK1VVmAs&ab_channel=RobertMerz 
History buffs check out 
http://www.webtrail.com/history/index.shtml 
Kerbyville (or, just Kerby)
27 miles SW of Grants Pass on Hwy 199
     This is the only place I know you can buy golden cron.  They’re not ignorant rubes, nor prone to mistakes (as I would be in painting a big sign):  the advertisement is repeated on more than one sign.  Clever attention-getter (north end of town).  The other place in Kerby that caught my attention was their Museum.  It was closed, but the little log schoolhouse complete with bell, the Victorian home with a long low building reminiscent of a carriage house, and the sign about freedman crystals, all piqued my interest.  I saw a ramp that indicates at least part of the museum is accessible.  It’s right on the highway.  

• See https://westernmininghistory.com/towns/oregon/kerby/  
• and https://www.facebook.com/Kerbyville.Museum/
• and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerby,_Oregon

Cave Junction OR—30 miles south of Grants Pass, Hwy 199
     Cave Junction is on the Illinois River (where its two tributaries meet), and just SW of town is the Illinois River Forks State Park with picnicking, disc golf, fishing, vault toilet, and a short walking trail. https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=71   
     On the map it looks like Cave Junction Jubilee Park, a couple blocks east of Hwy 199 on E. Watkins Street, has a nice playground, and a cool skate park. 
     Although it’s a small town of about 2000, because of the tourist trade, you can find Italian, Chinese, Gyros, DQ, sausage dogs, natural foods, Subway, Mexican, homestyle American, and a choice of coffee places to soothe your tummy's disgruntle.  If you’re in need of other services, among those offered are a laundromat, groceries, banks, churches, NAPA auto parts, RadioShack, etc.  
     Interesting history (gold discovery in the Illinois River) as well as info about the area in the links below.  The ironic name of the Illinois River is explained at last.

• ​https://traveloregon.com/places-to-go/cities/cave-junction/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_Junction,_Oregon
• https://www.cavejunctionoregon.us/
• http://www.cavejunction.com/
• http://www.cavejunction.com/cavejunction/history.shtml
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_River_(Oregon)
• https://mailtribune.com/news/since-you-asked/illinois-river-name-came-from-prospectors#:~:text=%22Oregon%20Geographic%20Names%2C%20%22%20that,.%2C%20and%20settled%20around%20Albany. 

Oregon Caves
     Cave Junction is so named for the junction with Hwy 46, which provides a way to the Oregon Caves.  However, check the website below to find out closure status, and check Google Maps about road closures.  Oregon Caves is not accessible for several disabilities.
https://www.nps.gov/orca/index.htm includes a 5 min video
 
Great Cats World Park
     A couple miles south of Cave Junction is an 11 acre park of 17 species of exotic big cats, guided tours, demos, complimentary wheelchairs & strollers, group rates, field trips, traveling show, photo shoot opportunities, and events (Halloween & Easter Egg Hunt).  See their site and their facebook page about closures/re-openings.  Their website is fun to look at whether you can go in person or not.

• https://greatcatsworldpark.com/
• https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/attractions/aquariums-zoos/great-cats-world-park/

 
Rusk Ranch Nature Center
     For a little more gentle exploration, barely north of Great Cats World Park is the Rusk Ranch Nature Center.  “Located in the beautiful Illinois Valley of Southern Oregon, we offer kids and families an interactive learning environment to learn all about nature as well as recreational activities for everyone to enjoy!  Butterfly Pavilion, Hummingbird Garden, Nature Discovery Play, Volunteer Days, Workshops, Youth Programs, Internships.   Wildlife Preserve and Meadow available during events.”  http://ruskranchnaturecenter.org/

Rough and Ready—between Cave Junction and the California border with Oregon, Hwy 199
     "Rough and Ready" is a good name for the next several places you’ll pass going south on Hwy 199 toward Crescent City CA.  Always at the ready for the rough work of fighting forest fires are the smokejumpers.  Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum is 5 miles south of Cave Junction.  

• http://www.siskiyousmokejumpermuseum.org/  and
• https://www.facebook.com/siskiyousmokejumpers/ , and
• next to that is Captain Drake’s Family Aerial Adventures offering flying lessons https://www.captaindrakesfaa.com/

     Rough and Ready Creek, where Rough and Ready Forest State Park (Botanical Wayside) offers a half mile accessible trail to a vista with one picnic table.  Don’t be misled by the word “forest” . . . it’s rather scrubby (scrub lands) with forests in the distance.  Those who want to hike further can, see

• http://www.highway199.org/unique-places/rough-ready-forest-state-park/  and
• ​https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/rogue-siskiyou/recarea/?recid=82293

     O’Brien OR--about 8 mi south of Cave Junction OR     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Brien,_Oregon  the southernmost community 'til the Oregon border (5 miles) on Hwy 199.  Apparently populated by about 500 independent-minded folk.  I could not find the name of the little saphire blue lake between Waldo Rd and town along Highway 199.  From the map I would conjecture it's a small reservoir.  

And that's the reservoir of my knowledge aquired on the road and in internet mode, about Southern Oregon from Cottage Grove to California,
traveling I-5 and Hwy 199.

     Skies can be blue, foggy, cloudy, rainy, or stormy by turns along the Pacific Ocean.  I spent a weekend in Crescent City and her coasts the end of September 2020, to see the Redwoods and this seaside city.  It would have been a wonderful way to spend a week!  I saw and did so much that I had to make 3 posts out of the excursion.  Here's the link to my post about the Redwoods, https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/redwoods-california , and soon I'll add a post about going home through Southern Oregon.

Of course I could not see all that Crescent City has to offer in so short a time, but I got very enthused and here are some of what Crescent City and its environs have:

Crescent City

• Ocean World aquarium
• Visitor Info/Chamber of Commerce
• Beach Front Park
• B Street Pier/view of Battery Point Lighthouse
• 3rd, 4th, 5th street views/beach access
• S. Pebble Beach Dr/Brother Jonathan Park
• Skate Park
• Del Norte County Historical Society
• Elk Valley Casino
• Enderts Beach Rd/Crescent Beach & Overview
• Hotels
• Restaurants

Travel south from Crescent City & return

• DeMartin Beach Picnic Area
• Lagoon Creek Picnic Area
• Trees of Mystery
• Klamath CA
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to Crescent City on Hwy 101

Hwy 101 on the north end of Crescent City has

• Lake Earl
• Tolowa Dunes State Park north of Crescent City
• Lake Tolowa

Heading north on Hwy 199 toward the OR/CA border

• Gasquet
• Panther Flat Campground
• Botanical Trailhead
• Grassy Flat Campground & Madrona River Access
• Patrick Creek Campground & Patrick Creek Lodge
• Collier Tunnel Rest Area
• 2020 Wildfire Fire Damage

    Crescent City struck me as a place with all the benefits of a coastal California vacation but “far from the madding crowd,” at least while COVID is still a concern.  Maybe it’s not glitzy enough for some, but I was impressed with its really wondrous ocean access, as well as having the Redwoods nearby.  There are beaches to play on, rocky ocean-scapes to marvel over (or walk, if you can), history, hotels, restaurants to tempt the taste, more to explore . . . My hotel had a visitor guide from the Crescent City/Del Norte Chamber of Commerce that was full of great info on places to see, things to do, history, hotels, restaurants.  It gives the ocean fishing seasons, river fishing seasons (what you might catch when), highlights of different communities in the county, info on parks (national, state, county), the 2 lighthouses in the county, hiking trails and scenic drives, family places to go . . . It notes that the 2020 “Call of the Wild” movie was shot locally, notes arts and culture in the county, and has a very nice sized centerfold map . . . and little tidbits about tsunamis they’ve experienced (including a Japanese boat that floated ashore one day), 100 year old family cheese culturing and distributing . . . I just got all enthused!  See

• https://visitdelnortecounty.com/article/crescent-city-travel-guide/ and
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISCuzM61HSM&ab_channel=TheCaliforniaCoast 

     Here’s a 5 min video of 10 Things to Do in Crescent City CA

• ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB_xpGxFIJk&ab_channel=AskForAdventure

 
Ocean World
     I wanted to be sure to get to Ocean World.  It’s a small aquarium with wonderful murals, fun décor, tours, touching experiences, photo ops and seal/sea lion performances, beside the gift shop full of sparkly things, T-shirts and toys.  Because the lower level is not accessible, they gave me half off the price, and then I rejoined the tour.  Their tidal pool was a bit touched out, worse for wear.  Their restrooms are located at the bottom of the entrance ramp.  You must get the code from the counter person to open them. You can find several videos about the place on YouTube by different people.  Here is a more professional 7 minute one

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyWdy_ANdA&ab_channel=XploreFilm  
• See also https://oceanworldonline.com/

 
Visitor Info/Chamber of Commerce
     Take Front Street west off Hwy 101, note the pretty little area by the bus stop, note the Redwood National and State Parks headquarters to the north on K street (official address 1111 Second Street).  The bottom floor of the Parks headquarters has an information center, picnic area, etc, which were closed for COVID.  There’s a parking lot on Front and K St. with Tesla superchargers.  The library is right across from the Redwood Parks headquarters.  Just past K street on Front Street is the Crescent City-Del Norte County Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce.  Turn left (south) onto Play street for parking between the visitor center and the city pool (temporarily closed).  Along Play street is Kid Town with picnicking, fun play structures, restrooms.  It’s just a small part of Beach Front Park.
 
Beach Front Park
     Beachfront Park is big.  Lots of room to play sports, and for the annual all-day 4th of July community celebration from the morning parade to the fireworks show at night.  The park has a cannon and gazebo as part of its installations.  Take Play Street or Stamps Way off Front Street to Howe Drive/Battery Street.  You’ll be driving right along the fun and scenic part of Crescent Harbor.  There’s a paved walkway, benches, parking, beach access.  As you keep driving west you’ll see the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center and gift shop, and a public restroom.  The road bends around to the right, and soon you’ll see Dog Town with plenty of room for pooches to run and their people to picnic.  Bend with the road to the left and turn left onto B Street to drive to the pier or park in the lot while you hike out to Battery Lighthouse (if it’s open).  A large sign right there gives explanations.  By the parking lot are more public restrooms and picnic table.
 
B Street Pier & Battery Point Lighthouse
    A large sign on B Street gives info about touring the Lighthouse/Museum.  If the Lighthouse is not open, you can get a nice view of it from B Street as it heads out to the pier.  Driving out to the pier there’s a really nice view of the waves coming in, the beaches, waterfowl, and you can park and have lunch with the squirrels hoping for tidbits.  The pier is very accessible, quite a long stroll/roll to the utmost.  It’s said to be an excellent situation for catching Dungeness Crabs, Dec through July.
 
3rd, 4th, 5th Streets have views and beach access
     Heading north on B Street, between Front Street and 2nd Street you’ll see to the west Oceanfront Lodge, with probably the best ocean view of any hotel in town.  Go up to 3rd Street and turn west to the 3rd Street Coastal Access, with a nice view even if you can’t climb down to the beach.  4th Street also has a nice view, and 5th Street as well.  5th Street has a little more room for parking, as well as stairs down to the beach.  If you like rocky surfs, these are great.  But even more great are the views as you head north on South Pebble Beach Drive.
 
S. Pebble Beach Drive & Brother Jonathan Park
     S. Pebble Beach Dr runs along the coast with spectacular views of the ocean and wave-crashing rocks. From the 5th Street beach access, go north a block on Taylor Street and veer left onto S. Pebble Beach Dr.  Between 8th and 9th streets is Brother Jonathan Park and a parking area on the cliff side with a tremendous view.  There’s a restroom half a block east on 9th Street.  The Taylor Street end of the park has playgrounds and a basketball court. There are vacation rentals dotting the Google map between Brother Jonathan Park and Pebble Beach.  As you continue north, Pebble Beach Drive meets with W. Washington Blvd and Airport Rd.  The latter  takes you to the Del Norte County Regional Airport.  If you follow Pebble Beach Dr to its extreme, you’ll end up at Point St. George.  Six miles out to sea is the St. George Reef Lighthouse.  For more info about driving north on Pebble Beach Drive, see  https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/pebble-beach-crescent-city/
 
Skate Park
     If you have a bored teen that prefers a wheeled board to a surf or beach, take him/her to the skate park on 5th Street, between D and F Streets.  “Crescent City Skatepark is one of the best flat land skateparks in California. There are ramps, quarter pipes, different size ledges and manual pads, rails, stairs, and a pyramid in the middle of the half pipe. Ok, it is not a poured concrete park, but, it's not bad for the middle of a forest community.  Enjoy.”  http://www.crescentcitywebs.com/content/skateboarding
 
Del Norte County Historical Society
    The historic housing of the Del Norte County Historical Society does have a ramp, so if it had been open, I could have pursued a perusal.  But their website has more about the 2 lighthouses, local tribes, the wreck of the ship Brother Jonathan, and the tsunami destruction the town has experienced.  Their street address is 577 H St, Crescent City, CA 95531, website https://delnortehistory.org/
     Battery Point Lighthouse, see also

• https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=58
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_Point_Light

     St George Reef Lighthouse, see also

• http://www.stgeorgereeflighthouse.us/ 
• https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=26

 
Elk Valley Casino
    Take Elk Valley Road off Hwy 101 (next to the Chevron, where friendly helpful staff kindly pumped gas for me so I didn’t have to get out of the car).  Google says the casino is a “Lively spot for slots, poker, & dining”, and a “Vibrant establishment for slots, poker, & bingo, plus live entertainment & casual dining”.  See https://www.elkvalleycasino.com/
 
South Beach
  South Beach, just at the south edge of town, is a popular place and a nice sandy spot to play in the water.  You can park along Anchor Way (off Hwy 101), lots of people park along Hwy 101 as well.  More info from a surfer’s perspective at https://magicseaweed.com/South-Beach-Surf-Guide/298/
 
Enderts Beach Road--Crescent Beach & Overview
     Just 2.5 miles south of Crescent City (on Hwy 101) is Enderts Beach Road, really worth taking.  Drive Enderts Beach Road to its conclusion, a small parking lot, where you can see a grand view of the ocean meeting the shore.  There’s an accessible vault toilet and parking, trails down to the beaches (not wheelchair accessible), and the last chance section of the Coastal Trail.  Head back on Enderts Beach Road and turn off to see the sea, play, picnic at Crescent Beach, that includes an accessible vault toilet and picnic table.  https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/crescent-beach/   More info about nearby beaches https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/enderts-beach/
 
Hotels
     I stayed at Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn.  I had originally booked a double queen room to accommodate my helper.  But none of the double queen rooms are ADA, and all the ADA rooms just have a king bed.  One look at the double queen room and I could see it would not work for me.  The bathroom had a walk-in shower, but a barrier to rolling in.  Thankfully they had an ADA room I could switch to (I didn’t have a helper this trip).  The staff was great.  From the beginning I chose the 3rd floor so I could have the best view.  It was a view of the marina, and I would have preferred a natural landscape, but at least it wasn’t just the parking lot.  There’s a kind of fun seal statuary fountain in the midst of the parking lot, and once I was entertained by a contest between a crow and a gull over a half orange.  In the end they both decided it was not worth having. 
     The hotel amenities were what attracted me.  Beside the decent view and complimentary breakfast (breakfast bag during COVID cautions), was a pool, rec room with pool table, outdoor picnic patio (including sink and electricity).  The handicapped lift for the pool wasn’t working, the desk attendant said.  I don’t have a dog, but there’s a huge area for pet play.  My room was roomy, except the doors of the bathroom, closet, and frig area tended to collide in the hallway.   The towels were nicely reachable, and I was able to set my own self up for the roll-in shower.  The handheld shower was easy to use without wrangling, and the gentle spray of the water was helpful in keeping it under control.  The toilet area was also roomy, and the elongated toilet was quiet but effective, 17.5” high.  The bed height was 25.5” and had plenty of comfortable pillows (5, I think).   The switch for the bedside lamp was hard to use, and I had to plug my phone in on the desk.  But overall the room was pleasant and comfortable.  The following website is not entirely accurate on mileage to local attractions https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-crescent-city/best-western-plus-northwoods-inn/propertyCode.05435.html  
     Anchor Beach Inn is just across the street from South Beach, so some rooms have quiet ocean views.  They advertise 8 kinds of rooms, continental breakfast, and a spa hot tub.  Some nice photos of places to go in the vicinity are included on their site https://anchorbeachinn.com/crescent-city-beachfront-park/
     Ocean Front Lodge may be the best view of the ocean.  It’s on the western end of town, with nothing between it and the coast.  https://oceanfrontlodge1.com/
 
Restaurants
     Oceans 675, onsite restaurant at Best Western was closed for COVID-19.  Steak & seafood, bar & grill on the menu.  https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-crescent-city/best-western-plus-northwoods-inn/propertyCode.05435.html
     The Apple Peddler Restaurant is right next to Ocean World Aquarium and Ocean View Inn.  A sign advertising berry cobbler was awfully tempting.  https://applepeddlerrestaurant.com/
     Perlita’s Authentic Mexican is just across the road from Ocean World has high marks and low cost, “understated eatery for classic fare”,  Google says.  Menu at https://www.google.com/search?q=wonderful+thesaurus&oq=wonderful+thesa&aqs=chrome.0.0i457j69i57j0l2j0i22i30l3j0i10i22i30.60228j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
    The Chart Room is on Anchor Way, not far from Best Western, and I wanted seafood at the sea.  I decided to try their fish taco (a thing I always thought so antithetical), and lobster bisque.  The lobster bisque was ravingly rich and glorious.  The tacos ok, they could have been cooked a bit more.  It’s located right on the harbor (can be cool and breezy), and sea lion serenades accompanied the sights, one of which was a set of 3 “snowmen” created with crab pots and such.  There was outdoor seating (indoor seating was closed for COVID at the time), but I was tired and took my meal back to my room where I could get comfy.  https://ccchartroom.com/
     Schmidt's House of Jambalaya, is also on Anchor Way, and sounded very tempting to me--menu looks tasty!  I couldn’t tell if it was wheelchair accessible.   https://jambalaya.house/  
 
Travel south from Crescent City
DeMartin Beach Picnic Area—14.4 miles (22 min) south of Crescent City on Hwy 101
     The ocean was in kind of a fog the day I drove down this way, so it was a little hard to tell, but I thought I could see some wave-crashing rocks off shore.  I couldn’t tell if there were picnic tables.  But the parking lot has a low stone wall around it, and places to get down to the shore.  In the link it is called Wilson Creek Beach, as Wilson Creek/Wilson Creek Road meet Hwy 101 from the other side right there.  A picnic table and firepit are pictured on the site.  If you click on the map and explore a little, you see that this beach extends south down to a point, about the same time the highway veers SE and soon comes to Lagoon Creek picnic area. 

• See www.californiabeaches.com/beach/wilson-creek-beach/  
• https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/california/wilson-creek-beach-picnic-area
• and here’s a 9 second video pan https://www.youtube.com/watchv=gnncDI4MU8w&ab_channel=FoxNews

 
Lagoon Creek Picnic Area--  .7 mi south of DeMartin Beach Picnic Area, Hwy 101
     This picnic area/rest stop is beside a lagoon pond, and offers picnic tables, an accessible pier, restrooms, informative signs, and hiking to viewpoints and beaches.  This link focuses more on the hikes and beaches than the picnic area, but it’s something . . . https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/lagoon-creek-beach/
 
Trees of Mystery near Klamath CA
     A giant statue of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox (appropriately masked for COVID-19) will capture your attention and curiosity as you travel Hwy 101 just north of Klamath CA.  Wonderfully sculpted gardens name the place:  Trees of Mystery.  Across the highway is the Forest Café and the Motel Trees, both single story, but not sure how accessible restrooms are.  The website below has photos of the themed rooms.

• https://treesofmystery.net/park-map/ and 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trees_of_Mystery

 
Klamath, CA
     Klamath CA is the center of Yurok Country, the largest tribe in California.  You can get gas, stay overnight in the newly built Holiday Inn Express, take a traditional canoe tour, or jet boat tour, fish, hike, or take a gamble.  The Visitor Center was closed for COVID-19.

• General Info https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/klamath/
• Visitor Center  https://visityurokcountry.com/visitor-center/ includes a 1.5 min video
• Yurok Country  https://visityurokcountry.com/ includes a 4.5 min video, map of tribal area, etc.
• Holiday Inn Express Redwood National Park https://www.guestreservations.com/holiday-inn-express-klamath-redwood-ntl-pkarea/bookinggclid=CjwKCAjwiaX8BRBZEiwAQQxGxwtfjY3GeYWsSWQSwIQd2hGbtZahR4GPck9NCUJFK6JZNKe8eOHPtBoCAocQAvD_BwE

Return to Crescent City via Hwy 101
     After a trip down the road to see more of the Redwoods via Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, I returned to my temporary abode in Crescent City.  From Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, it’s about 35 miles back to Crescent City traveling just Hwy 101.  I always prefer a loop rather than going back the same way I came.  The speed limit is not too limiting at first, 65mph, and it’s a nice wide freeway—until you get to Klamath CA.  The next 19 mi to Crescent City are not as straight-forward free and easy.  Still, it doesn’t take too long, and it’s a pretty drive.

Off Hwy 101 on the north end of Crescent City
     I didn’t check out the following, but they are too near not to give honorable mention:

• Lake Earl https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Lake-Earl-WA and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Earl
• Tolowa Dunes State Park  https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=430
• Lake Tolowa
• About the Tolowa People https://www.tolowa-nsn.gov/who-we-are/ and https://delnortehistory.org/tolowa/

     The Wildfires of 2020 were dampened by rain just in time to open Hwy 199 between I-5 and Hwy 101 for my trip to see the Redwoods Sept 25-27.  It rained most of the 25th, but after a foggy start to the 26th, the world was bright and sunny the rest of the weekend.  
     Here are the places I visited in the Redwoods:

Redwoods National and State Parks

• Hiouchi Visitor Center
• Walker Road/Simpson-Reed Trail
• Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park picnic/campground
• Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
• Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove

 
   The first thing to know is that “The Redwoods” is not just one national park.  It is a group of national and state parks stretching about 60 miles between the Crescent City area to a little southeast of Orick CA.  Thank goodness the Redwoods website and visitor information cover it all.  It’s too much to see in a day or a weekend.  Figure about a week, or make more than one trip.   This trip I stayed in Crescent City, but a brochure I saw made Eureka look enticing as a southern base another time.
     I had imagined the Redwoods as a flat lowland habitat.  I didn’t realize they are growing in the mountains and stream ravines of Northern California.  This affords some tremendous overviews at times as you travel the highways, and some intimate scenes as you wind through the tall trees that so amazed the timbermen with their substantial girth and old growth.  Before you go there, while you are in the planning stage, go here:  https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm  
For info on scenic drives, go here https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/drives.htm
     I would caution that the speed limit varies as the road does, and driving through the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park you’ll see red reflectors nailed to trees that crowd the edge of the road.
     As a side note, after about 350 miles (including some little tangential excursions pursuing the Applegate track), I didn’t want to chance running out of gas.  Having forgotten in my enthusiasm to get going in the morning from Crescent City, I pulled into the little village of Hiouchi, just north of the Hiouchi Visitor Center, where a friendly young man filled my tank and my questions (I importuned a fellow customer to request help pumping my gas so I wouldn’t have to get out of my car.  As I didn’t have a helper along with me for the trip, I needed to conserve energy).  There’s an RV park next the gas station, a motel across the way, and eats available.
 
Hiouchi Visitor Center
     If you are coming from the north, the Hiouchi Visitor Center (9 mi east of Crescent City on Hwy 199) is a good place to start, especially when the Redwoods National and State Parks Visitor Center in Crescent City, and the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground Visitor Center were both closed for COVID.  At the visitor center you can get the helpful Visitor’s Guide (see below), which includes a nice big map, and more informative pamphlets, and questions answered by the eager and friendly staff there.  The visitor center was stripped of much of its inner displays because of COVID restrictions, but the nice little gift shop also had some intimate little displays, and fun and informative things to buy.  The exterior of the visitor center has one large and a couple not as large murals, accessible restrooms, interpretive path (only part of which was accessible), and picnic tables.  Considering moving the location of the Hiouchi Visitor Center has limited what they want to invest in the present site.  Visitor's Guide:   https://www.nps.gov/redw/learn/news/newspaper.htm  
 
Walker Road/Simpson-Reed Trail (about 2 mi west of the Hiouchi Visitor Ctr)
     Walker Road can be easy to miss, as you drive west from Hiouchi, it will be on the right.  Let off on the accelerator when you see signs warning of pedestrians crossing, and watch for the Walker Road sign, the ranger advised me.  Not far off Hwy 199 plenty of people park on the sides of unpaved Walker Road for hiking through the old growth forest.  The accessible Simpson-Reed trailhead is right by the accessible restroom, but it was blocked by a fallen tree when I was there.  The bottom of an upended tree is on the other side of the restroom, and all the tourists wanting pictures of themselves with it as a backdrop complicated my efforts to get a photo of the restrooms.   If you continue on Walker Road you will come to a point of decision:  right or left?  Both lead to river access, a ranger in the right place at the right time told me.  At the end of the right road I found access to a smooth-rock river beach with swimmers playing in the water.  Obviously people with more adventurous vehicles and disposition than mine had driven right across a stream and made a banked U-turn back.  I saw their tracks. Only one car was there when I was.  https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/simspon-reed_trail.htm 

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park picnic & campground
     Cool place to lunch or camp—day use and campground, right on the Smith River.  Visitor Center was closed for COVID.  $5 parking fee for day use, waived the day I was there.  “Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Jedediah-Smith Redwoods, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks are the only parks in the California State Parks system that accept the Federal Access Pass discount.”  For more info, including ADA cabins with electricity, see the website (not up to date about closures when I visited 10-7-20)  

• https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413
• To see a brochure https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/413/files/JedSmithRedwoodsSP_WebBrochure2014.pdf

Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
     If Google and sites below are correct about the time and mileage, 20 mi (about 20 min) south of Crescent City, take exit 765 off Hwy 101 (it’s well-marked), and proceed in awe along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.  You may be thinking at this point that you have seen plenty of trees by now.  But this route is worth taking at least once in your life. It’s 10 miles, 20 min (if you don't stop), from one end to the other.  At the southern end, near the Prairie Creek Visitor Center is “Big Tree . . . This tower stands out in one of the prettiest old growth groves. Located in Redwoods National and State Parks, north of the Prairie Creek Visitor Center on Newton B Drury Parkway. The 100-yard trail to the Big Tree is paved.”

• https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/drivenbdparkway.htm
• https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28434#:~:text=The%20Newton%20B.,Creek's%20old%2Dgrowth%20redwood%20forest
  

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
     I was enthused about getting to Prairie Creek, with accessible trails.  I like how the signs tell just how long the trails are and how long the accessible part is.  It still appeared that you might need a helper on at least one of the trails, and I didn’t have one this trip.  I got there about 5pm after a pretty full day, so I didn’t get out of my vehicle.  There weren’t any elk in the meadow, but benches and cautions that they are wild animals.  I wouldn’t want to face off with a big bull elk, nor a momma with her baby.  I would let them have their space as an onlooker.  I hope another trip I will be able to explore this area more.  The following link is great. I also picked up a brochure about this park with a great map (see photos for this post).  https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=415
Accessible features, including restrooms, showers, campsites, cabins, beach wheelchair, trails (w/lengths) http://access.parks.ca.gov/parkinfo.asp?park=12&type=0
​
Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove
     While I was there, Howland Hill opened up, so I started my trip back home by traveling that way.  From Crescent City take Elk Valley Road off Hwy 101.  It’s kind of the back side of the city, but you will also pass Elk Valley Casino.
     As you travel Elk Valley Road (about a mile) there’s a caution intersection sign with an arrow indicating a right turn toward Stout Grove that you should take.  When you reach that intersection at Park City Superette (groceries), take the right road.  When you reach the Jedediah Smith Redwoods sign (about 3.5 miles), you’ll see the sign “End County Maintained Road”, and you’re climbing a steep, winding, narrow (1 lane) dirt road, not for the timid or “wide load”.  If you are intrepid, no matter you’ve seen a lot of big Redwoods, this is not to be missed!  But be warned, once you start up, there’s no turning back until you’ve already gone through the worst of it.  Not only you can appreciate what early settlers faced before paved roads existed, but the size of the trees is truly magnificent.  I was hoping and praying not to meet any vehicles head on, because there’s not always a wide spot to pull out of the way, and I emphatically did not want to have to try to back down the steep, narrow, winding road with a precipitous edge.  Over the course of the entire road there were a dozen or so meetings, but I was fortunate that either the oncoming car or I was able to get to one side, and by the time I reached the restrooms at the trail heads, there were more wide spots.
     I wasn’t always able to stop and get photos of the most intimidating parts of the road, but I think I got enough to give the idea. 
     At 6.8 mi from Crescent City (3 miles from Hwy 199), along Howland Hill Road, is the short turn-off for Stout Grove, signs for each on opposite sides of the road.  There’s an accessible restroom at Stout Grove, informative signs, and trail heads; it's strictly day use, no dogs.
     As you continue on Howland Hill Road toward Hwy 199 there will be other trail heads, and a couple one lane bridges.  You come to a caution “Rough Narrow Winding Road Next 6 miles”, and you wonder what kind of humor led to that!  Howland Hill Road turns into Douglas Park Drive, which leads through a residential area.  Then when Douglas Park Dr meets S. Fork Rd. (County Road 427), take the left (north) toward Hwy 199.  You’ll cross the Smith River almost immediately (if not, go the other way!), pass the Forks River Access and Boat Ramp (on the Smith River).  Through the trees is a glimpse of the pretty bridge where 199 crosses Myrtle Creek.  After crossing Smith River you’ll soon come to US Route 199.  Your choice, whether to head north (right) toward Grants Pass, or south toward Crescent City.  See

• http://www.redwoodhikes.com/JedSmith/StoutGrove.html 
• See also “Howland Hill Road, the location of 1983 Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” includes a 2.24 min video of the road   https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/5132-howland-hill-road.html