How is the 299

[Gina D.]

Thinking of changing my route up to Bandon to have a few less driving hours. I have taken 3 days up, and 4 back to do a leisurely pace, but taking the 101 from the Bay Area is not leisurely enough.

I thought bout it and don't want to spend over 5 hours driving per day.. because of my pups, and.. well, I want to enjoy my campsites.

Is the 299 towable or is it a one lane treacherous road? Haven't ever been that way, I don't think...

[Frederick L. Simson]

I haven't been on the 299... But last year we took I-5 to Stockton, then the 12 & 116 to Petaluma & Sebastopol to Guerneville, then continued to Highway 1. Then took the 1 & 101 to Crescent City, where we diverted off the 101 to the 199 to Cave Junction, OR.

The "scariest" road was the segment of the 116 from Guerneville to the 1, and it wasn't really that bad.

My AAA Northern California Camping Map shows that most of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Campgrounds along the 299 have sites that accommodate 16 to 20 foot trailers.

You'll be OK.

[Gina D.]

won't be camping on it, just cutting thru on my way to Del Norte from Red Bluff.

And doesn't Sasquatch live out there?

[Joy A]

Highway 299 is actually out of Redding not Red Bluff. The road is two lane and a nice drive. There are several steep sections and a little curvy but it's not a bad road. I came through there a few years back towing my 13 footer. It'll be very hot going through that whole area in July until you get close to McKinleyville and 101. Just take it easy.

Highway 36 is out of Red Bluff comes into 101 below Eureka between Rio Dell and Fortuna. I haven't been on that road in many many years. Not sure of it's condition. Looks realtively straight on a map. One day I plan to pull my Scamp over it. If you go 36 I'd be interested to here it's status.

[Gina D.]

Hi Joy, thanks.

I will be staying in Red Bluff then jumping up to Redding to catch the 299.

How "steep" is "Steep"?

[Lou & Lora E.]

we traveled over both 36 & 299 in the last year.
36 is a supriseingly nice road, a little bent near the coast but not bad. a lot of open cattle country.
299 is probably our favorite. willow creek is the home of the big foot museum.
a few miles before willow creek (west bound) is a very nice rest stop. we have spent two nights there on or near Christmas Eve.
when you get to the coast, Trinidad has a very nice restaurant at the foot of the pier, now owned by the local indian tribe, as well as a casino. probably the best crab salad to be had.

[Joy A]

It's not that steep just a chug up a couple of mountains, turn your A/C off. You live near or go to Big Bear, don't you. Well, I've never been to Big Bear but I imagine those roads might be a little chug, too.

Yes, Trinadid is a nice little town. I stayed at the Indian Casino last year on my way home from Alaska. I've stayed there several other times, too. There used to be a neat fish market in Trinidad as well. It was a garage converted into store at this fellows house. Great smoked fish.

It was the trip below Eureka down 101 and over to I-5 that I wasn't thrilled about doing. Thinking about highway 36 has whetted my appetite. I've been thinking about changing my route and leaving Friday going over highway 36. I'll most likely stay at Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP just before 101. Then dilly dally as I usually do up to Brookings. I'll probably stay at Loeb SP in Brookings on Saturday going to my most favorite Fish outlet, Chetco Fish Co., loading up on smoked salmon, bay shrimp and octopus (if they have it).

Sunday we'd saunter up the coast to Bandon. My little water dog and I love the ocean. There are great turn outs and wonderful beaches to play at on the way.

[Gina D.]

I am now torn...

Bigfoot or Big Fish.. hmmnnn.

Yes, I live near Big Bear and getting home tugging from any trip "Down the hill" means a 3000 foot elevation gain in 12 miles. (I live at 4500 feet)

I too can't wait to let my little hellions loose on the OREGON beach. They are both California dogs.. where running on the beach spots are limited and pretty much a no no everywhere.

I was raised in Oregon were it was almost considered neglect of your dog if it you didn't let it go on the beach! Bullards is perfect for this as there never seem to be anyone (Or other dogs) on it.

[Joy A]

Hey Gina,

You get both Big Foot and Big Fish by going 299. The Big Foot museum is on 299 and 299 comes into highway 101 below the fish shops I mentioned. Trinidad is just north on 101 and Brookings is waaaaay north across the border.

[Gina D.]

I will be staying in Crescent City, so I will have a long ways up the 101 after I get there. Google earth is not real effective on either the 299 or the 36...

I want the easiest, not necessarily the most scenic drive.

[BuzzardsBurro]

Gina-
We just came over 299 from Redding to Eureka last week towing our Burro. The road is fine for towing. As Joy said it is steep and in some places curvey. We did hit a bit of road work just out of Redding with a 20 minute delay but we don't mind minor delays when they are trying to improve the road. 299 is a 2 lane road with stretches of passing lanes along the way. Because of this, depending on traffic sometimes you can get stuck behind a logging truck or huge RV for 5-10 miles before you get a chance to pass the slower cars. I will add that most of the rigs that travel 299 often will use the many turn outs to let cars pass but there always seems to be one jerk in every crowd. It is a beautiful drive between Redding and Eureka but tends to be hot. If heat bothers you, try getting over 299 as early in the morning as possible. Along 299 you will find rest areas and little campgrounds you can pull in and stretch you legs. Plently of little stores, places of interest, wonderful views of the Trinity River and gas stations. There is one stretch of road that lasts 32 miles that you really have no gas stations or much of anything but that is clearly posted to warn you. I will add, for anyone interested- if your looking for campgrounds on 299 between Redding and Weaverville (about 1 1/2 hours out of Redding), your choice is limited. We were suprised to find just a few "RV Parks" before getting to Weaverville and most of those "RV Parks" look like they have a lot of permante camping going on. Once you hit Weaverville and past there you will find more campgrounds and RV parks.

We usually figure it takes apprx 4 hours to travel 299 between Redding and Eureka with an average of 2 stops. Depending on traffic and road repair it could take a little less or more. Once you hit 101 it is about another 2 hours to Crescent City but most of it is 4 lane highway. When traveling 101 to Crescent City we always take the scenic by pass that takes you by Prairie Creek Redwood Park. It's only about a 10 miles of 2 lane road before it dumps you back onto 101 but it keeps you from climbing a huge hill on 101 and the by pass takes you through the most beautiful part of the Redwoods. Prairie Creek campground is a very nice place to camp also in the heart of the Redwoods. Dogs welcome but need to be on a leash because of the elk that feed in the Prairie near by. If you get tired before you hit Crescent City there are plenty of places to stop and rest and/ or camp before you get to Crescent City.

Hope this helps give you a bit more info about 299. Really it is not that bad of a road but curvey and requires climbing a few mountains. 101 is nice also. Flat for the most part and lots of straight road. If I had a choice I would most likely pick 101 just because I tend to get car sick sometimes and the 299 curves and my stomach are not best friends. Anything else you want to know about the Redding, 299, Eureka, Crescent City area let me know.

What day do you think you will be coming through Eureka/Cresent City area on your way to Bandon? Where are you staying in Crescent City? I don't know for sure what day we are leaving yet and don't know if we will travel straight to Bandon or break it up into 2 days of travel. Do you have our phone number? If you would like our phone number in case of emergency or anything else, PM me and I will be glad to give it to you.

See you in Bandon.

Hope this helps.
Ellen B.

[Gina D.]

Hi Ellen, Thanks for the info!!!!

Thats an AWFUL long stretch.. I may just go back to hopping over to the 101. I suppose my mood will dictate, but it certainly is an option for the way back, as I have more time then.

I will be staying at Del Norte on Monday nite, then hopping up to Bandon on Tuesday.

[David & Leslie]

Hi Ellen - we, too, thank you (and others) for the information about traveling 299 from Redding to Eureka. We have been thinking of taking that route on our way to the Gathering, and knowing what to expect is a good thing.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Bullard's Beach - we check into site A33 on the 16th - Hooray!!!

[Gina D.]

well, I took the road most traveled..

Just made ressies for a Lakefront spot at Lake Mendocino

They have pics of all the sites.. I didn't think this one was too bad, and it is right in the middle between my route on the 101 from Ripon (Off the 99) to Crescent City.




So, It's a LOT of driving, but here is my route up. If anyone wants to pick and join the caravan (of 1 so far ) please do! PM me!

Saturday the 14th, from Crestline to Caswell Memorial SP just north of Modesto
Sunday from there to Lake Mendocino via the bay area and up the 101 to Ukiah.
Monday, a long drive up to Del Norte Redwoods State Park, just south of Crescent City
Tuesday, on into Bullards.. a reasonably short hop.
(With a FREE weigh station in between.. I somehow... don't wanna know LOL!)

I will do the 299 on the way back! I have an extra travel day then.

[Jeanne and Steve]

So, It's a LOT of driving, but here is my route up.

Saturday the 14th, from Crestline to Caswell Memorial SP just north of Modesto
Sunday from there to Lake Mendocino via the bay area and up the 101 to Ukiah.

Knowing your love for beagles, I wonder if you've ever stopped in oldtown Santa Rosa to see the Charlie Brown and Snoopy statue. Traffic in Santa Rosa is usually very busy, but the statue is just a couple of blocks off 101, and is really charming.

Have a great trip!
Jeanne

[Gina D.]

Oh, I am going to have to find that!

[Jeanne and Steve]

We assumed that the statue was in front of the Charles Schulz Museum at the northern edge of Santa Rosa, but discovered when we got there that it's quite a distance away in downtown. But if you do go to the museum there's also a gift shop next door with some nice exhibits and of course Snoopy stuff to buy. Here's how to get to the statue:

From Highway 101 (northbound), take the Downtown exit, stay in the left lane and at the first signal make a left turn onto West Third Street. Stay in the right lane and follow this to the second light, making a right onto Wilson Street. At the first stop sign make a left onto Fourth Street and you will see the sculpture located on the northwest corner of Wilson and Fourth in Deport Park. You will find parking and the Santa Rosa Convention & Visitors Bureau in the small park.

Jeanne

[Gina D.]

Thank You!

I was my black and white Beagle were "Still with us". He would have been perfect to take a picture if in front of that!

[Lou & Lora E.]

the traffic on 101 in the santa rosa area is somewhat like a parking lot
suggest you allow extra time

[Ron N]

I've travelled all over the United States and Canada. Californian's are the only people who put a "the" in front of Interstate highway numbers and other road numbers. Any idea how this phenomena came to be??