Seven miles south of Garberville, along Highway 101, lies Richardson Grove State Park. It offers a specific nature outing to include in your travel plans. What you can do there varies in part by season; the trails and river activities also offer different ways to experience the park.
Richardson Grove: Trails and Seasonal Activities
Hiking on nine miles of trails, camping, and picnicking are all possible in the park. Seasonal activities include swimming or wading in the river in summer, and catch-and-release fishing for salmon or steelhead trout in winter. The river activities give your travel dates a specific focus, while the trails offer a different emphasis for your park visit. If you want to plan your trip around these activities, check current conditions before your visit: conditions and facilities may change.
Another, different kind of outing is the Avenue of the Giants. A Visit California itinerary starts in Garberville and recommends driving along the 32-mile Avenue. This gives you two different options: spending time on the trails at Richardson Grove or driving the recommended route. If you plan to visit the Avenue, check road conditions separately.
Transportation Routes and Rodeo History
Garberville’s history as a travel destination is also connected to its accessibility. The Redwood Highway and, later, the railroad improved connections from the rest of California; both encouraged tourism and souvenir sales. Transportation routes and visitor culture are thus part of the town’s history.
The names and events also offer a glimpse into local history. In 1868, the early Garberville community was known as South Fork or Dogtown. The first Garberville Rodeo was organized in 1957 by the horseback riding club’s 80 original founding members. If you’re interested in local history as well as outdoor activities, you’ll find two distinct points of reference here: the early community names and the start of the rodeo tradition.
Farmers Market and Town Square
The Garberville Farmers Market takes place seasonally in Town Square. Offerings include organic produce and flowers, as well as local meat and prepared foods. The market’s seasonal nature is important for planning; the selection may also change. If you plan to make the market a set part of your itinerary, schedule your visit around its season and current offerings.
Town Square also provides a space for concerts. Alongside the seasonal market, the square therefore has another cultural use. Visiting the market and attending a concert are different occasions, each of which you can consider separately when planning your stay.
Discover more destinations: Mckinleyville, Redway, Orick, Eureka, Carlotta, Trinidad, Samoa, Myrtletown
For the broader travel overview: Humboldt.
