West Coast Wanderings Day Three: Giants, Mysteries, and a Perfect Campsite
Day #3 - Headed Into Redwoods
📍MacKerricher State Park to Prairie Creek State Park
🥾 182 miles
📈 Elevation Gain: 915 feet
Favorite moment: Walking through the sea caves
The third day of the Pacific Coast Highway adventure began at MacKerricher State Park, where the morning air carried that unmistakable mix of saltwater, pine trees, and coastal fog. Instead of rushing to the next destination, I started with a walk along the beach.
The coastline here feels wild and untouched. Waves crashed against rocky outcroppings while hidden sea caves appeared and disappeared with the changing tide. Every turn revealed another stretch of dramatic shoreline, making it impossible not to stop every few minutes for photos.
One of the highlights of the morning came at Seaside Beach. Tucked among the rocks was a stunning starfish, vibrant and perfectly preserved by the tide pools. It was one of those small discoveries that reminds you why slowing down matters on a road trip. While everyone else is focused on getting somewhere, the real magic is often found in places you almost walk past.
After leaving the coast, I headed south through the redwoods. At first the trees were impressive. Then they became enormous. Mile after mile, the forest seemed to grow taller and wider, as if each grove was trying to outdo the last. No matter how many photos you take, it's nearly impossible to capture the scale of these ancient giants.
Of course, no redwood road trip would be complete without driving through one. I stopped at the famous Chandelier Tree and considered driving my truck through the tunnel carved into its massive trunk. I chickened out at the last minute when the smaller truck in front of me barely made it through. It's a classic roadside attraction, but standing next to the tree makes you appreciate just how gigantic these redwoods truly are.
Not long after, I encountered one of the strangest sights of the trip. Deep in the woods, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, sat an ambulance. There was no obvious road leading to it, no visible emergency, and no clue how it had even gotten there. I slowed down, looked around, and left with more questions than answers. It remains one of the great mysteries of the journey.
As the afternoon faded, I made my way toward Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. I wasn't sure what I'd find since many campgrounds along the coast fill quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. Luck was on my side. An open campsite was waiting for me beneath towering redwoods.
There are few places more peaceful to spend a night. As daylight filtered through the canopy high above, the forest grew quiet except for the occasional rustle of wind through the trees. After a day spent exploring beaches, sea caves, giant redwoods, roadside oddities, and some of the most beautiful scenery on the California coast, it felt like the perfect place to end Day 3.
Thanks for journeying with me!
~ Bridget
