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Right after I moved, the very first thing I did was go back to Highway 101.
Before moving, I had taken a road trip up the Northern California and Oregon coast that completely changed how I felt about this place. That drive was a huge part of why I wanted to move here in the first place. So once I was finally here, actually living in Sonoma County, it felt only right to recreate it.
This time, the drive started from Sonoma County and ended in Brookings, Oregon, just like before.
The Route I’ll Always Choose
The route itself is part of what makes this drive so special.
I took Highway 101 until connecting to California Highway 128, driving through the Navarro Redwoods, one of the most peaceful and surreal stretches of road I’ve ever been on. From there, the highway eventually meets the coast, where you switch onto California Highway 1 and head north.
That stretch takes you through coastal towns like Mendocino and Fort Bragg, before 1 merges into Highway 101. From there, it’s a straight shot north through Humboldt County, passing through Eureka, Crescent City, and eventually arriving in Brookings.
It’s quiet. It’s slow. And it’s stunning the entire way. It would be criminal to not take as many pictures and videos along the way as possible so make sure you have a car charger, or better yet a camera like mine.
Familiar Stops, New Memories
One of my favorite things about doing this drive again was realizing how much I remembered.
There were moments where I instantly recognized the scenery from my first trip, curves in the road, overlooks, stretches of coastline, and others where I noticed things I’d missed the first time.
I stopped in Mendocino again, just like before, but this time I explored more shops and stopped for food. Mendocino Cafe was delicious and absolutely worth it. After that, I drove through Fort Bragg, pulled over countless times for photos, and just let the drive unfold naturally.
A lot of this trip was simply about taking pictures, soaking it in, and letting myself be present.
Staying in Brookings
I stayed the night in Brookings, and for the second time, I stayed with the same Airbnb host.
It’s run by Barbara and Patrick, and they are genuinely some of the kindest hosts I’ve ever stayed with. The place is beautiful, more affordable than most coastal hotels, and still offers stunning coastal views. I stayed there on my first trip, and choosing to stay there again felt like returning to something familiar.
Here's the link for their Airbnb listing because I can't recommend them enough: click here.
The Drive Back and Confusion Hill
The next day was my first time driving the entire route back down instead of north, and it was just as magical.
My main stop on the way back was Confusion Hill, which has quickly become one of my favorite roadside stops. It’s one of the places that inspired Gravity Falls, and if you’re a fan, you’ll immediately notice the references, from Gravity Falls merch to little Bill Cipher figures hidden throughout the property.
It wasn’t crowded at all, and that’s something I really love about this stretch of 101. Once you’re that far north, the road feels calm and quiet, like it belongs more to the landscape than to people.
Final Thoughts
This trip was everything I hoped it would be.
It felt nostalgic without being sad. Familiar without being boring. I remembered exactly why I fell in love with this place the first time, and I got to make new memories layered on top of old ones.
Being able to take this drive again, so soon after moving, felt grounding. Like proof that I wasn’t just chasing a feeling, I built a life around it.
Highway 101 still holds the same magic for me. And I’m really glad I went back.