Page 98 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to California

SPECIAL EVENTS 2025
SYMPHONY OF THE REDWOODS For more than 35 years, this
organization has brought a wide variety of classical performances to
the North Coast, including a seasonal concert series in Fort Bragg.
Concerts scheduled from September to mid-April.
symphonyoftheredwoods.org
WHALES AND WINE Gray whales pass by Mendocino in
November on their way south for the winter and return in March
on their way north for the summer. At the Mendocino Whale Fes-
tival, you can sample all manner of chowder, locally brewed beer
and wine, while—with any luck—the passing cetaceans spout just
off the Mendocino headlands. March 1, mendocinocoast.com/men-
docino-whale-festival
SUNRISE IN THE THE REDWOODS at Redwood
National and State Parks, above; Paul Bunyan
and Babe the Blue Ox statues at “Trees of
Mystery,” Klamath, center; Battery Point
Lighthouse, Crescent City, bottom.
Family Fun
Young children might have trouble fully
appreciating the timelessness of an ancient
redwood tree, but they’ll enjoy a gondola
ride through the silent forest canopy and a
chance to have their picture taken with
four-story-high statues of Paul Bunyan and
Babe the Blue Ox. Look for it at Trees of
Mystery, near the town of Klamath.
DRIVE TOUR
CRESCENT
CITY
From the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, head
over to the SONOMA COAST at BODEGA
BAY (yes, that Bodega Bay: Alfred Hitchcock
filmed The Birds there). Follow dramatic,
winding Highway 1 north past FORT ROSS
(a former Russian fort), and Sea Ranch,
GUALALA, MENDOCINO and FORT
BRAGG before heading inland to connect
with Highway 101—“The Redwood
Highway”—at LEGGETT, site of the DRIVE-
THRU TREE PARK. Continuing north on the
Redwood Highway, you’ll come to
HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK
and the AVENUE OF THE GIANTS,
EUREKA and the cluster of redwood parks
extending almost to the Oregon border.
EUREKA
HUMBOLDT
REDWOODS
STATE PARK
AVENUE OF THE GIANTS
LEGGETT
MENDOCINO
GUALALA
FORT ROSS
BODEGA BAY
SAN FRANCISCO
96 2025-26 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
STEPHEN MOEHLE/SHUTTERSTOCK; OVIDIU HRUBARU/SHUTTERSTOCK; CARRIE EPLEY/SHUTTERSTOCK.