Blue Lake, CA

Blue Lake sits 15 miles northeast of Eureka via Highway 299 in Humboldt County's redwood country. This lumber town of under 1,000 residents draws visitors traveling Highway 101 north from San Francisco (280 miles, 5 hours) who turn east on winding Highway 299. The valley location means less coastal fog than nearby Eureka, with morning mist burning off to reveal forested hills. The town's historic railroad depot, now a visitor center, recalls the logging trains that once hauled massive redwood logs through this scenic valley.