August 12, 2026
Few people are better qualified to build a North Coast bucket list than Steve Mietz. Although he’s now CEO of Save the Redwoods League and spends part of his time in San Francisco, he left his heart on the North Coast, where he spent nearly a decade as superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP). These days, he still works regularly from the Save the Redwoods’ office in McKinleyville, staying closely connected to a region he knows by trail, tidepool, and redwood grove.
Redwoods, beaches, coffee, baseball, beer. Mietz knows where to find the good stuff. Photo by Amy Kumler.
If your ideal North Coast day involves a trail, a beach, a strong cup of coffee, and maybe a pint afterward, Mietz knows where to send you. Here are a few of his go-to spots.
The hike that’s hard to beat
You came to Humboldt for the redwoods. Dive right in on the James Irvine Trail. Photo by Andrew Spittle / Flickr.
“My favorite hike isn’t going to surprise too many people: the James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon loop. But I’d add a twist. Camping on the beach and then coming back on Miners Ridge and Clintonia Trail. I’ve done that loop as a backpacking trip, and it’s just amazing. It’s about a 15-mile trek, and you get old-growth redwoods, state-designated wilderness, Fern Canyon, and the backcountry experience of camping on the beach surrounded by Roosevelt elk. Then you get to hike back through the big trees again on a different trail. It’s pretty hard to beat.
“But I also have to mention the new Crooked Trail at the ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway. This trail is the connection between Yurok Tribal land and the incredible Lady Bird Johnsno old-growth grove in RNSP. Plus, my son helped build benches there as part of his Eagle Scout project, which makes it especially meaningful for me.”
An ultimate sleepover under the redwoods
You can pitch your tent right on the gravel bars in dispersed camping sections of RNSP. Photo by Helena Guglielmino.
“My favorite camping is along Redwood Creek. You camp on the gravel bars right beside the water, surrounded by old-growth redwoods. Even though you’re near Tall Trees Grove, which is popular, it feels wonderfully remote because people spread out along the creek and everyone gets their own swimming hole. Late summer is the perfect time of year to go. The water is low, and it’s a relatively easy hike from either Tall Trees Grove or the Redwood Creek Trailhead near Orick.”
The perfect trail-to-taproom combo
Redwoods and hops both flourish on the North Coast, which makes a post-hike beer an even more fitting refresher. Photo courtesy of Redwood Curtain Brewery.
“Redwood Curtain Brewing is a great beer spot. It feels like an old-school taproom, not overly fancy, just a great place to relax. It’s very family friendly—they’ve got shuffleboard, board games, and plenty of space to hang out. You can sit inside or outside, and it’s right next to the Arcata Bottoms, which has great trails. It’s just a lovely place to spend an afternoon, especially after a hike.”
If you want to see Save the Redwoods’ mission in action
At the recently opened ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway, interpretive displays welcome visitors to Yurok Tribal land and the great old-growth forests beyond. Photo by Amy Kumler.
“The new ‘O Rew Redwood Gateway tells the full story of our work. It has restoration, public access, and Tribal engagement all in one place. You see it in the fish habitat revitalization, the new trail hub, and the relationship we’ve built with the Yurok Tribe as long-term stewards of the land. It hits all of our pillars and is a great example of what can happen when partners come together to make something bigger possible.”
A beach worth pulling over for
A cow parsnip stands tall to check the surf at the spectacular False Klamath Cove. Photo by National Park Service.
“One of the most spectacular views on the North Coast is coming down Last Chance Grade to False Klamath Cove. The beach at the cove is just stunning. I also love the beach nearby at the mouth of the Klamath River on the Yurok Reservation. There’s usually a lot of fishing activity and a ton of wildlife because you’re standing where this major river meets the Pacific. It’s a remarkable place.”
Meet me at Cafe Brio
The North Coast rewards curiosity. Café Brio provides the caffeine as fuel. Photo courtesy of Cafe Brio.
“Cafe Brio in downtown Arcata is my favorite coffee shop, especially if you go with Andrea Tuttle, who is a Save the Redwoods board member. Andrea is like the mayor. You walk in with her and within a few minutes she’s talking to half the people in the place. It’s delightful. The cafe sits right on the Arcata Plaza, so it’s the perfect starting point for exploring town. Grab a coffee, wander the square, and you’ll get a real feel for what makes Arcata such a special community.”
A crabby curveball
As a lifelong New York Mets fan, Mietz (yes, it’s pronounced just like Mets) channels his inner Tom Seaver throwing out the first pitch at a Humboldt Crabs game. Photo courtesy of the Humboldt Crabs.
“A Humboldt Crabs baseball game is one of my favorite and most surprising North Coast experiences. It feels like the kind of small-town America people think doesn’t exist anymore. The whole community turns out, there’s usually a band playing, and volunteers are making it all happen. You get great local food and craft beer, and everything is authentic and wonderfully unpretentious. The thing I love most is seeing kids running around the ballpark making friends on their own while parents relax and enjoy the game. Everybody’s there to have a good time. It’s just so Humboldt County. “
