Where I Stayed on a California Coastal Roadtrip

Camping at Gold Bluffs Beach: A Golden Start to the Road Trip

For the first night of our two-week road trip, this campground quickly became a highlight. From the scenic drive in, to the beach access, to waking up along the bluffs with a trail just steps away, every part of it was memorable.

There’s something about a long, winding road that builds anticipation, like it’s slowly preparing you for something special just around the corner. The drive into Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, tucked deep within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Northern California, is exactly that kind of road. You leave the main highway behind and enter another world, following a narrow path that winds through towering redwoods. Sunlight filters through the trees, warm enough to create mist and steam rising from the moss-covered forest floor.

The road is bumpy, slow, and a little wild at times, but that’s part of the charm of the coastal highway. Then, suddenly, the trees open up and the bluffs come into view. They aren’t called Gold Bluffs for nothing. In the right light, especially as we arrived at sunset, these cliffs truly shine.

The campground sits between the glowing cliffs and the rugged, crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. A short walk from any campsite leads to a dark, pebbly beach, where we were surprised to see an abundance of wildlife. Despite the powerful waves pounding the shore, the area was filled with seals and pelicans. It felt like a feeding frenzy. The longer we watched, the more seals appeared, their heads popping above the water as if to check us out. We counted at least twenty seals and more than fifty pelicans, all diving and swimming gracefully in the rough surf. It was the perfect way to end the day, falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean and wildlife.

While that sunset and peaceful night alone made the trip worth it, this campground offers even more. It is located near the Fern Canyon Trail, a short walk to a narrow gorge where walls of maidenhair ferns rise up on both sides of a shallow stream. Slip off your shoes and walk up the riverbed, surrounded by green on every side. For those looking for a longer adventure, there is also a ten-mile loop trail through the redwood forest nearby.

I’m so glad I found this place. Not only was it a perfect way to kick off our trip, but it’s also close enough to home that I can return for a weekend escape any time I need a quick reset.

Between Mendocino and Fort Bragg, we got to stay at two really amazing accommodations that truly reflected life on the Mendocino Coast. 

THE STANFORD INN

The Stanford Inn was not a place I had on my radar, and for anyone who travels like I do (mostly camping or looking for low-cost accommodations), it’s definitely a “treat yourself” kind of splurge. But I honestly couldn't recommend it more. This felt like a self-care retreat I didn’t know I needed, and I really wish my stay could have been longer. I'm already looking forward to the next time I can make it happen.

I didn’t know what to expect from a “vegan, sustainable resort,” and I can’t say I expected it to feel as homey and welcoming as it did. This resort ended up on my radar because of one specific menu item on their fully vegan menu: Sea Palm Pad Thai. This particular kelp is actually protected from recreational and commercial harvest in Oregon, so I don’t get to eat it very often, and I wasn’t going to pass up the chance.

If you’ve ever driven Highway 1 between Leggett and Bodega Bay, you know it’s stunningly beautiful but also exhausting. Arriving at the Stanford Inn after those winding roads, and stepping into the lush garden oasis surrounding the property, was an instant reset. Walking up to the entrance and seeing a bookstore in the lobby, a real fireplace crackling, and guests gathered on the couches made it feel like a well-loved home more than a hotel.

Our arrival was timed perfectly. We had just enough time to settle into our room before heading to our dinner reservation, catching a golden sunset from the balcony, which overlooked the incredible gardens in the valley below.

Our dinner at Ravens, the Stanford Inn’s farm-to-table, plant-based restaurant, wasn’t just a fun, flavorful night, but was when I started to truly understand how deeply sustainability is woven into everything this place does. The owners, Joan and Jeff Stanford, built their inn from the ground up with sustainability as a guiding principle. They have certified-organic gardens on site, and a lot of the (entirely vegan) food served at Ravens comes directly from their farm. Even the food scraps go back into the gardens as compost.

Of course, I had to order the Sea Palm Pad Thai, a coastal twist on the classic dish made with locally foraged sea palm, a nutrient-dense seaweed native to Northern California. It was savory, bright, and the texture and flavor of the sea palm paired perfectly with the comforting essence of pad thai. Another standout was the Kalua Mushrooms & Coconut Rice, with smoky, slow-roasted mushrooms taking the place of traditional Kalua pork. It came layered over creamy coconut rice with juicy chunks of pineapple, toasted coconut, and just the right balance of sweet and umami flavors. I definitely leaned into the tropical vacation vibe with this one and didn’t regret it.

One extra perk worth noting: breakfast is included with your stay, and it’s not your typical continental spread. Instead you’re treated to a full plant-based breakfast menu from Ravens! The menu features hearty, thoughtfully prepared options like buckwheat pancakes, tofu scrambles, and fresh-pressed juices which are always my favorite.

Another very unexpected highlight was the greenhouse pool. It’s a full-sized saltwater pool, hot tub, and sauna all tucked inside a large greenhouse filled with tropical plants. We spent a lot of time swimming, sitting in the sauna, and just soaking it all in. Their whole philosophy is about living in alignment with nature, and this unique twist on the classic hotel pool really brought that to life. Another bonus that brought that to life was that the rooms have real wood-burning fireplaces, which made for the perfect post-pool evening with a glass of wine!

During our stay, we saw several young farmers working in the gardens and even spoke with a vegan farmer who had just moved from the East Coast to work on the farm. She had great things to say, especially about friends who had gone through the program themselves.

We didn’t know it at the time, but it turns out they also run the Environmental Leadership Field School, which teaches sustainable farming practices not just to guests, but to students from across the U.S. and abroad. It made the experience feel especially genuine and added to the sense that this place is truly valued both in the local community and far beyond.

I really couldn’t recommend this place enough for a true “treat yourself” experience. It completely grounded us after long hours of driving and set us up for a weekend of fun, but busy, work events. Staying here was so much more than a nice room with a good view. It was a full experience. From meals that started in the garden to educational programs in the fields and even rescue animals in the nearby pasture, to wood fireplaces in the rooms, everything felt intentional and cared for. The staff and owners really emphasized their connection to the land and to making sustainable choices feel natural. It felt simple, honest, and genuinely special all the way through.

NOYO HARBOR INN

As someone who loves working in fishing ports and harbors, the Noyo Harbor Inn was a pretty sweet place to sleep in Fort Bragg, California. Perched on a bluff that gently slopes down toward the Noyo River, the inn offers an unbeatable vantage point overlooking the harbor below. The sounds of sea lions echoing below and a view from my window of fishing vessels gliding quietly through the early morning mist, returning in the late afternoon from their fishing voyages on the Pacific, were all constant and charming reminders that this is a place defined by its connection to the sea. Not to mention, a restaurant that offers seasonal, wild-caught fish, sometimes delivered daily from the harbor.

But what really made this stay memorable was the room itself. Spacious and cozy in that elevated coastal way, it featured a deep king-sized soaking tub set right by a picture window, where I could soak for hours while listening to harbor life unfold below. A rubber sea lion (instead of a rubber duck) floated in the water beside me, and I spent the early hours of the morning sipping coffee and reading a book, all the while surrounded by the sounds of seabirds and distant foghorns that reminded me of just how close we were to the water.

As for the restaurant at Noyo Harbor Inn, this was truly one of the highlights of the entire stay, and arguably one of the best meals we had on the whole trip. The kitchen leans heavily into what's fresh and local, with seasonal, wild-caught seafood often delivered just steps from the restaurant doors.

We ordered a seasonal special of pan-seared blackened halibut served over creamy spinach risotto that felt both rich and balanced. The halibut was perfectly crisped on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired with roasted bacon Brussels sprouts tossed in a decadent brandy butter. The dish was topped with a strawberry and green apple compote, finished with a balsamic drizzle, which added just the right touch of sweetness to the savory and earthy plate.

The second standout was the pan-seared scallops, arranged over a bed of delicate rice noodles with bacon and spinach, all swirled in a pineapple champagne sauce that was light, tangy, and deeply flavorful. The scallops were caramelized just right, with that perfect golden crust and buttery texture that melts in your mouth. Paired with the slightly crisp vegetables and savory noodles, it was a wonderful combination of flavors and textures.

And then, the cocktails. I’m not always a cocktail-drinking girl, but these changed the game for me. The drink menu was a thoughtful, botanical-forward mix crafted by the restaurant's resident mixologist, Laura Spradlin, known around the region as the Mendocino Coast’s cocktail maven. Each drink featured organic, house-made bitters infused with local flowers, herbs, fruits, and spices, many of them grown or foraged right here on the Mendocino Coast.

We tried the Candy Cap Old Fashioned, which used black walnut and candy cap bitters along with candy cap-infused bourbon. It had just the perfect amount of sweetness that made this so sippable for me even though I’m not always a fan of strong Old Fashioned. We also tried the Pear Spice Martini, which used house-made scorched pear and ginger bitters along with house-made pear purée and Reyka vodka. The result was a drink that was bright, slightly smoky, and beautifully balanced.

Whether you're a seafood lover, a cocktail enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates a meal made with care and imagination, this place deserves a spot on your must-visit list. The whole experience turned out to be one of those places that just works, for the setting, for the pace, and for the kind of quiet you don’t realize you need until you find it. It’s not flashy or trying too hard. It’s just in a great spot, perched above a working harbor.

The food was genuinely impressive. The seafood was fresh and well-prepared, the flavors were dialed in, and the cocktail program was one of the best I’ve come across in a small coastal town. It felt like the kind of place that respects its ingredients and doesn’t overcomplicate things, which I really appreciate.

Overall, this wasn’t some overhyped resort experience. It was simply a solid, memorable stay in a place that still feels connected to the coast and the people who live and work there. I would go back without hesitation.

Now back to camping….

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park campground is huge. It may not be a hidden gem, being one of the largest campgrounds in Big Sur, but it is a gem nonetheless. I usually try to avoid larger campgrounds, but there’s something heartwarming about seeing so many other travelers, families, and friends enjoying the outdoors together.

Given its size, you might expect to find some good trails and hidden corners to explore—and you absolutely can. A turquoise-blue river winds through the entire campground, with redwoods and sycamore trees lining the paths. Since we hit a bit of van trouble during our stay, we ended up walking the road in and out of the campground a few times to reach the lodge. Surprisingly, the roadside walk was just as enjoyable as any narrow forest trail.

Like most campgrounds in Big Sur, there is no cell service, which is usually a welcome break. That is, until your van breaks down. Fortunately, the Big Sur Lodge was a pleasant surprise. It felt more like a cozy mountain retreat than something you’d expect in a campground. We found ourselves sitting on a couch next to a real fireplace, using the Wi-Fi to sort out our situation. The lodge also has a cafe, bar, and restaurant—more amenities than you'd ever expect when planning to rustic camp.

The real highlight of this campground, though, was the trail up Big Sur Gorge. The hike takes you right through the river, across large boulders and smooth cobblestones, with one beautiful swimming hole after another. There were calm, turquoise pools of crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming or lounging on sun-warmed rocks. We continued as far as we could until we reached a wide ravine, with smooth cliffs rising on either side and a deep, still pool in the middle.

We swam, soaked, and sunbathed here until the sunlight disappeared behind the trees. It was as peaceful and perfect as we had hoped Big Sur would be.