If you're traveling either north or south on US 101, take the time to bypass 101 for awhile and step into the awesome, green, hushed, and unhurried atmosphere of a scenic byway, aptly called, "Avenue of the Giants." This wonderful scenic road goes in and out of stands of first growth redwoods that are huge, and growing right up to the road. The trees are so tall, they stand there like giant columns in a green cathedral, and the sky way up there, mirrors the turns of the road you're on. Its best traversed in a convertible with the top down.
There are several tiny little villages along the Avenue of the Giants where you can find a little civilization and places to stay overnight. One of these is the Riverview Inn, located in the almost non-existent "town" of Phillipsville, about 6 miles north of Garberville. Here is the last of its kind -- the last original Avenue of the Giants roadhouse, built in 1937 and going strong ever since. There used to be serveral more, but nature went on a raining rampagne back in the middle 60s -- 1964, I think -- and the nearby Eel River rose, and rose and rose some more and flooded out all of the other establishments. This is literally the last of its kind -- a historic countryside roadhouse right in the middle of the Avenue of the Giants. Do not expect the likes of a stamped out of the same mold chain motel room. Consider this to be a room in a country inn, or a big B&B.
Its fairly large, with the bar and its seating areaup front as you come inside, big fireplace and in the back is a dining room. They are noted for their Mexican grub, amigo, so order your Dos Equis or Carta Blanca -- or your shooters of Tequila, lime wedge and salt. For dinner that night, since we were on a low carbo diet, we both opted for the taco salad, ate the letrtuce, tomatoes and ground meat, and snuck only a few pieces of the shell. I can't comment on any of their other Mex/Tex dishes, but our taco salads were colorful and pleasing to the eye as well as the palate.
They have five overnight rooms and interestingly enough, they are located one floor down, below the bar and the dining room. On Fridays and Saturdeays, in season, we were told they have live music there, which could make for an interesting evening for those who are early to bed. But this was a weekday in May and the place was fairly quiet. Our room was at the back end of the downstgairs hallway, and opened up to a nice balcony facing the afternoon sun, and shared by one other room. We had the king bedded room, all nicely furnished in country style. When making our reservations, we had told the owner it was our 48th wedding anniversary trip, and we were re-creating our honeymoon drive from the church in Los Ageles up highway 101 to Seattle. When we arrived in our room, we found a bucket of ice, two glasses and two small bottles of champagne, along with a very pretty rose -- a very nice, personable touch! This deep in the woiods, there is no cell phone service and no phones in the rooms. Also no TV, but not at all needed or wanted. Do not go here thinking in terms of another look-alike chain motel room -- this unique 78-year-old roadhouse is more like a rustic country inn.
Ourroom was clean and comfortable and so was the bed. Bathroom was on the small side, but not a big deal, since only one of us was using it at any given time. A king bedded room in a historic roadhouse -- for under $100? Yep, it was $98, and well worth the price. I don't know if the kitchen is open on weekends for breakfast, but there was nobody around the next morning. sp we had our in-room coffee, packed up the old T-Bird and lwent south the short distance into Garberville for breakfast.
If you are the least bit adventurous and like the road less traveled by, then you are sure to like the Riverview Inn.