Hotel at a Glance: The Redwood Riverwalk Hotel

California redwood country surrounds The Redwood Riverwalk Hotel—there are more than 40 parks, forests, and reserves nearby where you can visit the iconic giant trees that have stood for hundreds of years. Located right off California’s scenic US 101, the hotel pays tribute to the local area through hand-painted murals and an antique kayak and fly-fishing display.

• Where you’ll stay: Spacious rooms are decorated with wood furnishings and soothing earth tones.
• Free perks: WiFi and a full breakfast
• Unwind in the indoor pool.
• Eco-friendly: The hotel earned TripAdvisor’s GreenLeader award for its earth-friendly practices, including an in-room recycling program.
• Redwoods abound nearby; you’ll be within a 15-minute drive of the Avenue of the Giants, where you can see the massive trees.
• Go kayaking or hiking along the banks of the Eel River.

Fortuna, California: Mighty Redwoods and Foodie Diversions

After being settled in the late 19th century, Fortuna was supposedly given its Spanish name because its residents felt so fortunate to be living near forests, the river valley, and the Pacific Ocean. A good marketing gimmick, to be sure, but the scenery is something to behold. The highlight of the landscape has to be the mighty redwood trees, which you can see along Highway 101 on a drive to the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile stretch of highway lined with redwood groves in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Here, you can hike, bike, swim, and fish near the famous ancient trees.

There’s lots to do in Fortuna, too—check out Clendenen’s Cider Works, an old-fashioned cider mill with tastings and a press that’s been in operation since 1916. The Loleta Cheese Factory offers tours so you can see the process as it moves from cows to cheese and tasty samples. Fortuna’s walkable downtown has upscale shops, galleries, and restaurants to wander through on a sunny afternoon.