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Route Description - This travel corridor will treat you to amazing variety
when it comes to habitat and wildlife. Begin in San Francisco,
the City-by-the-Bay, and follow Highway 101 as it winds
north through wine country and oak woodlands. Climb northward
on mountain roads that weave through dense redwood forests,
then drop down to the north coast at Humboldt Bay. Continue
northward past bays and lagoons until you reach coastal
beaches and rocky headlands that are pounded by the Pacific
surf. This incredible diversity of habitat supports just
about every species you can think of -- migratory birds
galore; Roosevelt elk, black bear, many small mammals;
and rich marine life, including gray whales, California
sea lions, harbor seals, tidepool life, and more.
There
are dozens of wildlife viewing locations along the Highway
101 corridor; due to the winding roads, some require an
hour or more for access. Those featured in this travel itinerary are within about a ten mile drive of the highway. While peak viewing times are fall through spring, there is also excellent summer viewing at the coastal sites. Driving distances are figured from Eureka and Santa Rosa. Highway 101 begins as a four-lane freeway and terminates to the north as a two-line winding road. Allow more time than normal when driving. Also, it is very rainy during winter. |
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| Location:
In San Francisco, located off of The Embarcadero, between
Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Best
Season to View:
Highest numbers present, August through June; peak viewing,
January through May.
What
to See: Shop, eat, and take a break to get close up views of
California sea lions that have taken over one of the docks
at this famous shopping area. As many as 600 may gather
on this public dock. Occasionally, harbor seals can be
spotted in the group. The experience is a fine example
of a private enterprise capitalizing on nature tourism!
Visiting Tips: Allow ˝ to 1 hour.
Contact:(415)
705-5500 or (800) 325-7437
Local Accommodations and Travel Information: San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, (415)
974-6900 |
| Golden
Gate National Recreation Area |
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| Location: Many
locations in San Francisco, and in Marin County, about
12 miles from San Francisco. In San Francisco, get a map
to city access points at Fort Mason on Bay and Franklin
streets; in Marin County cross Golden Gate Bridge and
take the first Sausalito exit. Follow signs to Visitor
Center.
Best Season to View:
Good year-round viewing. Fall through spring are peak
periods for water-associated birds. Birds of prey best
in September and October.
What to See: This huge complex
begins in San Francisco, nearly in the shadow of skyscrapers.
The Marin County portion offers everything from beaches,
estuaries, and lagoons to forested ridges, lush redwood
groves, and grasslands. These diverse habitats attract
a wide array of water-associated birds, songbirds, small
and large mammals, and more. Hawk Hill is famous for its
fall views of migratory birds of prey.
Visiting
Tips: You can get a taste of the wildlife
in San Francisco with an hour of viewing. Marin County
sites require at least a few hours; a full day excursion
would provide opportunities to see more variety. Bring
a picnic lunch.
Contact: Golden Gate National Recreation Area (415) 561-4700
Mt. Tamalpais State Park (415) 388-2070 can be accessed
from Highway 1 while you are in the Marin County portion
of the site. Mt. Tamalpais State Park
Local Accommodations and Travel Information: San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, (415)
974-6900
Marin County Convention & Visitors Bureau, (415)
499-5000 |
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Richardson
Bay Audubon Sanctuary |
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| Location: 12 miles north of San Francisco. Take the Tiburon Blvd./Highway
131 exit. Drive 1 mile and turn right on Greenwood Beach
Drive. Continue .25 mile to entrance.
Best
Season to View:
Fall through spring.
What
to See:This bay sanctuary includes 8 habitats that draw everything
from hummingbirds and deer to a full range of shorebirds
and waterfowl. Stairs lead to the beach and tidepools??
and cliffs offer stunning bay views. More than 200 bird
species.
Visiting
Tips:
At least 1 hour.
Contact: Tiburon Audubon Center (415) 388-2524
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:Marin County Convention & Visitors
Bureau, (415) 499-5000 |
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Mt.
Tamalpais State Park |
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| Location: About 15 miles north of San Francisco. Take the Stinson
Beach/Highway 1 exit. Drive 2 miles to Panoramic Highway
and turn right. Continue 5 miles to park headquarters.
Best
Season to View:
Year-round viewing.
What
to See: Coastal terrances, redwood forested canyons, grasslands,
and chapparal provide habitat for diverse wildlife in
the shadow of 2,571-foot Mt. Tamalpais. More than 200
miles of roads allow easy exploration by car, with scores
of foot trails for more in-depth experiences. Some of
this rugged country is just a half-hour’s drive from San
Francisco.
Visiting
Tips:
From a casual ˝ hour drive by to full day excursions.
Windy, heavily-traveled roads; be cautious.
Contact: Mt. Tamampais State Park (415) 388-2070
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Marin County Convention & Visitors
Bureau, (415) 499-5000 |
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Las
Gallinas Wildlife Ponds |
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Location:15 miles north of San Francisco. Take Smith Ranch Road
and turn east. Go ˝ mile, cross railroad tracks, and
turn left. Go ˝ mile around treatment plant to parking
area by bridge.
Best
Season to View:
Excellent viewing fall through spring. Shorebird and most
waterfowl best
in winter.
What
to See: This model wastewater treatment plant has transformed
wastewater into habitat for wildlife. More than 200 bird
species have been tallied here, from conspicuous American
white pelicans and members of the heron family to a huge
range of ducks and shorebirds. Songbirds can be spotted
throughout the year. Birders have also been treated to
unusual avian visitors, such as the California thrasher
and eastern kingbird.
Visiting
Tips:
1 hour to ˝ day.
Contact: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (415) 472-1734
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Marin County Convention & Visitors Bureau, (415) 499-5000 |
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Viansa
Winery Wetlands |
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| Location:
About 33 miles north of San Francisco, on Highway 121,
six miles north of Highway 37/121 junction.
Best
Season to View:
Tours offered on weekends October through March.
Some year-round viewing.
What
to See: Sample fine wine, enjoy a gourmet picnic, and watch
waterfowl on this 90-acre marsh created by Sam and
Vicki Sebastiani. During peak period, the area attracts
more than 12,000 waterfowl and shorebirds daily.
Also a good place to see raptors and songbirds.
Visiting
Tips:
1 or more hours.
Contact:
(707) 935-4717 or (800) 995-4740
Local Accommodations and Travel Information:
Sonoma County Tourism (707) 565-5383 |
| Lake
Sonoma |
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Location: About 90
miles north of San Francisco. Take Dry Creek
Road about 12 miles to visitor center.
Best
Season to View:
Fall best for waterfowl. Some year-round viewing.
What
to See: This narrow, meandering lake is cloaked by redwoods,
firs and oaks that are home to many birds
and small mammals. Egrets and other wading
birds are common in the coves. Feral pigs
can be seen on the hillsides. Wintering bald
eagles are common, especially near the Warren
Springs Hatchery ponds where salmon and steelhead
are raised. Visitor Center.
Visiting
Tips: 2-4 hours
Contact: U.S.Army Corps of Engineers-Lake Sonoma (707) 433-9483
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Sonoma County Tourism (707) 565-5383 Redwood Empire Association & North Coast Visitors Bureau |
| Lake
Mendocino |
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| Location: About 125
miles north of San Francisco. Just before
Highway 101/20 junction, take Lake Mendocino
exit or take Highway 20 east to Marina Drive
exit.
Best
Season to View:
Fall through spring.
What
to See:This popular boating lake surrounded by hilly grasslands
with oaks also supports wildlife, but its
best to view in the morning and late afternoon.
Buffleheads, canvasbacks, and other waterfowl
are common fall through spring. Lots of residents
are evident, including California quail, ospreys,
great blue herons, and many birds of prey.
There’s an egg-taking station for Russian
River steelhead below Coyote Dam.
Visiting
Tips:
2-4 hours
Contact: U.S.Army Corps of Engineers - Lake Mendocino (707) 462-7581
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce Redwood Empire Association |
| Humboldt
Bay National Wildlife Refuge |
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| Location: About 8
miles south of Eureka. Take Hookton exit.
Drive 1.2 miles, following signs to parking
area.Best
Season to View: Fall
through spring, with some year-round viewing.
What
to See: The state’s
second largest bay is waterfowl country! Harbor
seals can be seen swimming among northern
pintails, tundra swans, and other waterbirds.
More than 10,000 brant spend spring in the
area. Vast mudflats attract scores of shorebird
species. California’s northernmost heron
rookery is located on Indian Island. Interpretive
facilities and a viewing blind enrich the
experience.
Visiting
Tips:
At least 2 hours.
Contact: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge (707) 733-5406
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce Redwood Empire Association |
| Arcata
Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary |
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Location:
Ten miles north of Eureka, in Arcata. Take Highway
255 exit. Drive west to South G Street.
Turn left and drive .5 miles to marsh interpretive
center. Or turn left on South I street and
follow it west to marsh access
Best
Season to View:
Fall through spring, with very good year-round
viewing.
What
to See:This model restoration project on Humboldt Bay transforms
treated wastewater into marshes and habitat
for salmon aquaculture. Four marshes create
outstanding birding opportunities. Peregrine
falcons remain from fall through early spring
and are joined by wintering bald eagles. Trails,
bird blinds, and interpretive displays make
for easy viewing.
Visiting
Tips: At least 2 hours.
Contact: City of Arcata (707) 733-5406
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce Redwood Empire Association |
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Samoa
Dunes Recreation Area
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Location: Ten miles north of Eureka, in Arcata. At Highway 101/255
junction, turn left onto New Navy Base Road.
Drive 5 miles to parking area.
Best
Season to View:
Fall through spring.
What
to See: This wave- and wind-scoured coastal strand is buffered
by dunes. Shorebirds are plentiful from fall
through spring. Diving ducks are numerous
in fall and winter. There are lots of marine
species, such as common murres and pigeon
guillemots. Spring brings many migratory
songbirds.
Visiting
Tips:
At least 2 hours.
Contact:
BLM-Samoa Dunes Recreation Area (707) 825-2300
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce Redwood Empire Association |
| Patrick’s
Point State Park |
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Location:
About 40 miles north of Eureka.
Best
Season to View: Fall
through spring, with good year-round viewing.
What
to See: This rugged, wooded headland juts into the Pacific
Ocean, providing spectacular views and great
habitat for marine birds and mammals, including
gray whales (especially spring). Songbirds
inhabit its lush forests. Headland trails
lead to views of offshore sea stacks populated
by black oystercatchers and other marine birds,
some of which nest here. Palmer’s Point is
known for its tidepools and as a favorite
haul-out site for harbor seals and sea lions.
Visiting
Tips: At least 2-4 hours. Entry Fee.
Please don’t feed the raccoons or bears.
Contact: Patrick's Point State Park (707) 677-3570
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Redwood Empire Association |
| Prairie
Creek Redwoods State Park |
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Location:
About 70 miles north of Eureka.
Best
Season to View: Fall through spring.
Elk viewing year-round.
What
to See: The lush fern canyons and
redwoods support more than 260 bird species,
and blooming azaleas and rhododendrons in
spring. The special feature here are the
Roosevelt Elk, which are normally visible
from Highway 1, adjacent to the Visitor Center.
Visiting
Tips: 1-2 hours, more would be better.
You can see elk while driving on Highway 1
and can tune your radio to a local recording
about the elk. Entry fee.
Contact:Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (707) 464-6101
x 5301
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Redwood Empire Association |
| Redwood
National Park |
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Location:
Park access points begin 50 miles north of
Eureka and continue northwards to Crescent
City.Best Season to View: Fall through spring,
with some year-round viewing.
What
to See: This wildlife paradise covers
30 miles of coastline and encompasses streams,
hills, and groves of coastal redwoods. More
than 300 bird species, including bald eagles,
peregrine falcons, and seldom seen marbled
murrelets and spotted owls. See Roosevelt
elk in the fall, colorful rhododendrons in
the spring, and gray whales fall through spring.
Three visitor centers, interpretive displays,
many trails. Park headquarters in Crescent
City.
Visiting
Tips: A half-day minimum, though
you can see some species from highway overlooks
and trailheads.
Contact: Redwood National Park (707) 464-6101
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Redwood Empire Association |
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Lake
Earl Wildlife Area |
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Location:
About 90 miles north of Eureka. From Crescent
City, drive north on Highway 101 to Northcrest
Drive and veer left. Drive about two miles,
then turn left on Old Mill Road. Follow signs
to wildlife area. Located within Tolowa Dunes
State Park.Best Season to View: Fall through
spring, with some year-round viewing.
What
to See: Lake Earl is bordered by
marshes and groves of spruce and red alder.
It is a staging area for 100,000 migratory
birds. Wetlands, riparian corridors, and forests
attract more than 250 bird species. Surrounding
habitat sustains river otters, muskrats, beavers,
salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. See
harbor seals, sea lions, and endangered gray
whales offshore.
Visiting
Tips: Allow a half day, though you
can see much in a few hours driving and on
trails. Wildlife area open daily, though some
areas closed during hunting season.
Contact: Lake Earl Wildlife Area (707) 464-6101 x5112
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Redwood Empire Association |
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