Some of the biggest and tallest trees in the world are redwoods. The Pacific Northwest of the United States is home to two of the three types of trees found in the world: sequoia and Sequoiadendron. There are thirty-one redwood state and national parks in California. Three live redwood trees can even be driven through in California: the Klamath Tree in Redwood National and State Parks, the Chandelier Tree in Leggett, and the Shrine Tree in Myers Flat on the Avenue of the Giants. These are the top 8 locations in California to see these enormous trees.
Redwood State and National Parks
Redwood National & State Parks, a four-park complex located in the northernmost coastal region of California, ought to be at the top of your schedule when visiting the redwoods. One of the numerous attractions is the easy 2.4-kilometer Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, which winds through old-growth redwood woods to the site of the 1968 Redwood National Park dedication by Lady Bird Johnson. The trailhead is located close to the village of Orrick, just 4 kilometers off Highway 101.
A National Monument in Muir Woods
Muir Woods National Monument is the most accessible park on this list and, hence, the most popular redwood park worldwide. It is located just roughly 20 kilometers north of San Francisco. Despite being one of the smaller redwood parks, it boasts several beautiful hiking paths that vary in length and complexity. If you want to beat the crowds and obtain a parking spot, get there early in the morning.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is located 105 kilometers south of San Francisco. If you have a whole day to spend exploring a redwood park, this is the place to go. It is the oldest state park in California, being opened in 1902 and offering over 128 kilometers of trails winding through coastal redwood forest. Its very large number of waterfalls spread across the 7,284-hectare park makes it special. There are other choices for camping as well.
The Redwoods State Park at Henry Cowell
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a minor state park with 24 kilometers of hiking trails located about southeast of Big Basin. The self-guided Redwood Grove Trail winds among old-growth “virgin” redwoods that reach heights of 91 meters; on weekends, you can frequently join guided excursions.
Take the Roaring Camp Railroads tour through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for a unique experience.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
The biggest continuous old-growth coastal redwood forest in the world, Rockefeller Forest, is located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, 370 kilometers north of San Francisco. The Avenue of the Giants, a picturesque highway with three real drive-through redwood trees, is the reason this state park is most well-known, though.
Go for a drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park along the Avenue of the Giants. You may travel around and even through enormous coastal redwoods on this road.
Go for a drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park along the Avenue of the Giants. You may travel around and even through enormous coastal redwoods on this road.
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve is one of the more isolated and diminutive redwood parks in California. What it lacks in area, it makes up for with the majesty of redwood trees; here is home to one of the tallest redwoods, at over 106 meters tall. Compared to many of California’s redwood parks, it is far more unusual and less crowded despite having just a few kilometers of trails.
The redwoods in Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve are over a hundred meters tall.
Hendy Woods State Park is situated in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley wine district and is notably warmer and less foggy than most California redwood parks. It has a few redwood woods, including the 32-hectare Big Hendy redwood grove, and several kilometers of trails. There are also several picnic areas in the park, many of which are close to the Navarro River’s banks and offer a clear view of Big Hendy Grove.
It’s unlikely that fog would obstruct your view of Hendy Woods State Park’s breathtaking redwood trees.
State Park Julia Pfeiffer Burns
Though pathways meander through redwood trees, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is primarily regarded as being one of the best state parks in Big Sur along the Pacific Coast Highway. The Ewoldsen Trail, which provides views of the Pacific Ocean and redwood forests, is one of the best day walks.
Take enjoy breathtaking views of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park’s untamed Pacific coastline and coastal redwoods.
Take enjoy breathtaking views of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park’s untamed Pacific coastline and coastal redwoods.