The first postmaster of Garberville, Jacob Garber, named the town after himself in the late 1800s. Earlier names for the settlement were Dogtown, believed by some to refer to how dog-tired the early settlers were after erecting the town's wooden structures, and South Fork, after the South Fork of the nearby Eel River. When a road connecting San Francisco to Eureka was established in the 1920s, it became a favorite stop for motorists. Today, the town is known for its friendly residents, beautiful scenery and is both a stopping-off point and a destination for travelers.

Garberville is well placed on Hwy 101, 200 miles north of San Francisco and 52 miles south of Eureka. It is a place to stay while playing in the Avenue of the Giants and the Eel River nearby. There are a number of RV, private, and public campsite spaces in the area. With a Town Square featuring weekly events and markets, and a vibrant array of shops, motels, services, restaurants, small airport and hospital, the town caters to travelers along Hwy 101, and serves the residents of the surrounding countryside.

North of Garberville travelers will come across Redway, one of the North Coast's most unique towns. For such a tiny place, with a population of around 1,200, Redway offers a great diversion on the way up the Avenue of the Giants or Hwy 101. With access from the Garberville Airport, Redway has accommodations, great food and charming shops, along with all the necessities one might fi nd in a much larger town.

Founded by Oscar and Charles Burris in 1923, this sweet spot in the redwoods is nestled in a bend of the South Fork of the Eel River. It is home to the famous Mateel Community Center, which offers popular cultural events in the area such as Reggae on the River, Summer Arts and Music Festival, the Humboldt Hoedown and Winter Arts Faire. It is also known for KMUD Radio, a unique voice in the redwoods with a very eclectic approach to programming.

Redway features one of the oldest, most popular resorts in the area, Dean Creek Resort. Dean Creek offers motel, RV and camping accommodations, along with tons of outdoor activities including a pool, spa, sauna, mini-golf, volleyball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, an amphitheater and even a game arcade. MORE INFO: Garberville/Redway Chamber of Commerce, 707-923-2613, Garberville.org