Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Campground
CAMPGROUND
( reservations 800-444- 7275;
www.reserveamerica.com
;
tent & RV sites $35)
The year-round riverside campground is subject to wintertime bridge closures due to
flooding. This part of the Eel has wide banks and is also excellent for swimming and sun-
bathing.
Benbow Inn
HISTORIC HOTEL
( 707-923-2124, 800-355-3301;
www.benbowinn.com
;
445 Lake Benbow Dr, Garberville; r $99-315,
cottage $230-315; )
This inn is a monument to 1920s rustic elegance; the Redwood Empire's first luxury resort
is a national historic landmark. Hollywood's elite once frolicked in the Tudor-style resort's
lobby, where you can play chess by the crackling fire, and enjoy complimentary afternoon
tea and evening hors d'oeuvres.
Rooms have top-quality beds, antique furniture and crystal sherry decanters (including
complimentary sherry). The window-lined
dining room
(breakfast and lunch $10 to $15,
dinner mains $22 to $32) serves excellent meals and the rib eye earns raves.
Garberville
The main supply center for southern Humboldt County is the primary jumping-off point
for both the Lost Coast, to the west, and the Avenue of the Giants, to the north. There's an
uneasy relationship between the old-guard loggers and the hippies, many of whom came in
the 1970s to grow sinsemilla (potent, seedless marijuana) after the feds chased them out of
Santa Cruz. At last count, the hippies were winning the culture wars, but it rages on: a sign
on the door of a local bar reads simply: 'Absolutely NO patchouli oil!!!' Two miles west,
Garberville's ragtag sister, Redway, has fewer services. Garberville is about four hours
north of San Francisco, one hour south of Eureka.
Festivals & Events
