The sweeping vista of the Pacific Coast viewed from Klamath Overlook in Redwood National Park is absolutely stunning. On a clear day you can see the Klamath River flowing into the ocean, the long sand spit at its mouth, and the spectacular coastline to the south. Along the south bank of the river you can see the remains of an old wagon road that ran from Arcata to Crescent City in the 1890s. Bring binoculars for a chance to see whales (the best times for whale-watching are late November through January and March through May), sea lions, and a large array of birds including bald eagles, ospreys and kestrels. There is a trail from the overlook to your left as you drive in that leads down half a mile to a lower vista point with views some say are even more magnificent than those from higher up. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers — it can get pretty windy and chilly.
Interesting fact: according to the California Coastal Commission, the Klamath is the second largest river in California by volume of water.
Where: Klamath Overlook is about 1.5 miles up Requa Rd. from the Historic Requa Inn, or 2.3 miles from Hwy 101, in ancestral Yurok territory.