Family road trips are some of my fondest childhood memories and should be experienced by every kid at least once. There’s something extra special about a road trip, where the journey is just as much (if not more) fun and important than the destination. Road trips are wonderful opportunities for families to reconnect and experience new things together. Today, Araceli Gonzalez, a California mom of three, shares her family’s West Coast road trip from Northern California to Oregon. She shares her favorite spots along the way and reminds us just how magical a road trip can be.
West Coast road trip from California to Oregon with kids
I love road trips. And I especially love road tripping with my little people. I’ve spent a significant amount of my life on the West Coast and there’s always more to do, to see, and to explore. Driving the coast is a great way to immerse yourself in all the wonders and adventures this area has to offer.
Last summer, we set out on an EPIC West Coast family road trip. Our seven-day adventure had a jam-packed adventure itinerary, filled with fun outdoor activities for the family. We traveled from California to Oregon and had some amazing adventures along the way, making memories and enjoying our time together. From Northern California, where we paid a visit to the magnificent California Redwoods, on up the Oregon Coast, this road trip was amazing.
Planning your west coast road trip
There was so much to see and do. We could have spent an entire summer exploring this area! We made the most of our road trip by planning each stop and outlining exactly what we wanted to do at each location along the way. Yes, it takes a bit of planning, but it’s worth it. And chances are, if you’re traveling with kids, things won’t always go according to plan and you’ll have to make changes and adjustments along the way. The good news is that no matter where you visit along this part of the West coast, you will be sure to find gorgeous spots to explore, trails to hike, beaches to comb and so many observation points along the way.
My kids described each stop and place we visited as epic! Every hike topped the next. It was definitely a memorable adventure and one that would be fun and easy for other families to do if you’re looking for a fun West Coast road trip with kids.
Exploring the California Redwoods with kids
Our first stop was to see and explore the magnificent California Redwoods in Redwood National Park. We are from California and we love to visit the beautiful redwoods as often as we can. Walking through the redwoods feels like you are walking into an enchanted forest, each hike is better than the next. Each trail more beautiful than the last. Our kids have a rating system for each hike, fun, super fun, epic, and LEGENDARY. This place is LEGENDARY by all standards.
You will find creeks filled with huge redwood tree trunks, making it the most magical playground around. We could spend hours exploring this magnificent place. If you are road tripping and have the chance to drive the length of the park, there are some really great options and things to do to fill an entire fun day (or more). Some do require that you drive on narrow, windy, dirt roads, so just be prepared for that.
Boy Scout Tree Trail
If you’re looking for a moderate hike on the Northside Redwood National Park, try the Boy Scout Tree Trail. This trail is challenging, but so rewarding! It may take you a while to do this one, especially with kids, as it’s a 5.5 mile round trip trail. But if your kids are experienced hikers, they can handle it. The trail goes through fun creeks and falls and you’ll see lots of very big trees!
Each one of our kids is responsible for their own backpack. They carry water, snacks, and often a change of clothes. If you need to know what to pack, here’s a great post on the 10 hiking essentials for families.
Hiking is one of our family’s favorite activities. I enjoy observing their expressions, seeing the magic and the look in their eyes as they find a new cave or a new giant tree trunk to climb. There is nothing like it. Pure joy. Childhood played out in all its glory. It is always worth all the effort.
Trillium Falls Hike
Another favorite hike is the Trillium Falls Hike. This one is located on the Southside of the national park and is really family-friendly. There’s plenty of parking, bathrooms, picnic tables, trash cans, and more. This hike will take you past some gorgeous super huge trees, beautiful flowers and ferns, and even a couple of small waterfalls if you go after a rain. Plus, there’s a chance you may see elk on this trail! They’re definitely around – be sure to look for evidence (have you ever spied elk poop)? The full loop is just under 3 miles, but there are turn-around points at various locations if you don’t want to do the whole thing.
This redwood forest is the perfect combination of everything a kid could possibly dream of; lush jungle-like vegetation, cold crisp creeks, glorious redwoods, vast canyons, and a ton of SLUGS! We love discovering new trails, seeing what is around the corner, and losing ourselves in the magic that the forest offers.
Southern Oregon coast
After spending some time in Redwood State and National Parks, we made our way up the 101 to the Southern coast of Oregon. This area is full of amazing places to visit and we had a hard time narrowing down what we wanted to do and see. There are so many wonderful lush hiking trails with spectacular views followed by sand dune-like beaches.
If you have the opportunity to travel through this gorgeous state I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It surpassed all our wildest expectations. We have plans to explore other parts of this state and cannot wait to visit again.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
In southern Oregon, there’s an area known for amazing sand dunes and adventure. The Oregon Dune National Recreation Area is a 31,500-acre portion of the Siuslaw National Forest and is one of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world.
Our hikes normally take hours because there are distractions such as these. We pause to roll down sand dunes and it means everything to me to see my kids enjoying the great outdoors. I have seen their love for these places grow a little more with each adventure. This is why we make the effort. My hope is that this will remain in their heart forever, that they will always treasure these places.
Oregon waterfalls
Oregon is full of these grand waterfalls. Millions of years ago, geologic activity created the diverse landscapes of southern Oregon and created some of the most beautiful alpine lakes, rushing streams, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. If you have the opportunity, you must visit the Cascade Mountain Range in southern Oregon. You’ll find some of the most incredible waterfalls, including those in the Umpqua National Forest.
Waterfalls in the Umpqua National Forest
You are almost guaranteed to be mesmerized throughout your time in Oregon, particularly if you’re a waterfall chaser. The waterfalls in Umpqua National Forest have been labeled by my kids as LEGENDARY. Every single one of them. The fascination is like no other. There are so many great hikes within Umpqua National Forest and the prize for getting down them is usually a stunning view of an Umpqua waterfall. Trust me, each one is worth the effort!
Keeping up on hikes is easy for kids when you are greeted by a beautiful waterfall at the end. I find that our little guy is keeping up with the rest of us easier here than anywhere else. He is learning the art of exploration first hand from his sister and brother and I can’t think of a better way to spend our time.
And if you want an even bigger reward at the end of a long day of hiking, be sure to unwind in the revitalizing geothermal hot springs of Umpqua National Forest. The terraced pools of warm water provide a fabulous view overlooking the Umpqua River. It’s an incredible way to relax, rest your legs and reward yourself for a hike well done.
West coast family road trip
A west Coast family road trip is like no other. Along the way, you can explore jungle-like forests, discover historic lighthouses, spot whales and elk, peer into tide pools, find secret sand-dune beaches, and stared up into towering cascading waterfalls. The west coast really is amazing and diverse and beautiful. I hope our adventures have inspired you to plan a trip out west to see what you can discover!
Check out this post for advice on how to road trip safety during the pandemic.
Happy road-tripping from our family to yours.
Is a west coast road trip on your summer bucket list?
About the author
Araceli is a wife and momma to three wild and adventurous littles. She believes that nature and free play are truly the foundation of a beautiful childhood. Araceli and her husband have made it a priority to raise their children with a strong bond to the great outdoors. Araceli is a working mom with an extensive career in Project Management. She’s creative, crafty, and loves collecting houseplants. As a family, they love exploring wild places and she loves documenting their adventures.
Find more from Araceli in the following locations:
Instagram: @roaminggonzalez
All RWMC posts: Vista Verde Ranch (Colorado), Winter Crabbing with Kids, California Tide Pools, Sun River Resort (Oregon)
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