McKinleyville Vacations from $748

We recently stayed at Scotia Lodge to celebrate my partner's birthday, and overall, it was a memorable experience. The lodge itself is absolutely beautiful—a wonderfully restored historic building that serves as an incredible home base near Redwood National and State Parks. Our room was excellent, featuring a super comfy bed and a wonderful restoration that strikes a great juxtaposition between modern design and historical charm. The standout was definitely the staff. They were exceptionally welcoming and went out of their way to make my partner's birthday stay feel extra special. That said, there are a couple of things to watch out for. First, the on-site restaurant and bar were closed during our stay (which was our fault for missing their posted operating hours when booking, as they are closed on certain days). Still, it's a real bummer since the surrounding area is essentially a food and beverage desert. While I completely understand the staffing and profitability challenges of running a kitchen midweek, when you're the only game in town for miles, it's tough not having anywhere else to grab a bite or a drink on a Wednesday night. The other major downside is that the plumbing needs an update—the water pressure was near zero, which made taking a shower pretty difficult. If they can get the water pressure sorted, it would be close to perfection. Just make sure to double-check their kitchen hours and pack some extra provisions if you're staying during the week!

Dirty, smelly, aweful place for the price

Staff was not present upon my arrival. Called number, no answer. Looking for substitute lodging and staff arrived. They should leave a note on door with ETA