Planning your trip to elk country

THE BEST WAY

From Los Angeles: Take Interstate 405 north to Interstate 5 north, and go 287 miles. Take Interstate 580 west. Take a slight right at the Interstate 580 W/John T Knox Freeway, go 13.3 miles (partial toll road). Take the exit for Redwood Highway/U.S. 101 north; go 300 miles. Turn left at Valley Green Camp Road. Drive time: about 11 hours.

From LAX, United and Alaska offer nonstop service to both Arcata/Eureka (ACV) and Santa Rosa airports (STS).

I flew round trip from LAX to San Francisco (SFO) on Virgin America. Multiple carriers fly from LAX to SFO with restricted nonstop round-trip fares as low as $118. The drive from San Francisco to Orick takes about six hours.

WHERE TO STAY

Elk Meadow Cabins at Redwood Adventures Village, 7 Valley Green Camp Road, Orick, Calif.; (866) 733-9637, www.redwoodadventures.com; $199 for the first night; each additional night is $99 from September through October.

Camping: Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

$30 per vehicle (RV or tent)

Available year round

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Guided hikes through the redwoods: half day, $85 per person; full day, $115 per person; www.redwoodadventures.com

Horseback riding: The Redwood Creek Buckarettes offer three choices of horseback rides through virgin redwood stands. 90-minute ride: $60 per person; (707) 499-2943.