How to Explore the California Redwood's
While California’s coastal redwood trees are abundant throughout the northern part of the state, this article will focus on three specific parks dedicated to the preservation and visitation of these trees; Muir Woods National Monument, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and Redwoods National Park. Note that the coastal redwoods should not be confused with the older Sequoia redwoods that grow in pockets throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range located in the eastern part of the state. The coastal redwoods are majestic in their own right, towering over shaded lanes and through deep thickets, and the beauty is that one highway can take the visitor to see them all.
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Instructions
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Exploring the Redwoods
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Getting to Muir Woods: From San Francisco International Airport, travel north on U.S. 101 crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and into Marin County. Take State Highway 1, the Tamalpais Valley exit and follow the directional signs to Muir Woods. Nestled in the heart of Marin County and named after John Muir, Muir Woods offers an excellent, hands-on introduction about these magnificent trees. Hiking trails are short and easily stroller and wheel chair accessible.
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Getting to Humboldt: About 200 miles north of San Francisco and still along Highway 101, the Humboldt Redwoods State Park is the choice for a pleasant drive down a shady lane. Exit 656 at Myers Flat takes the visitor onto State Highway 254, the Avenue of the Giants. The avenue follows the 101 for almost twenty miles before ending at the exit 674. The afternoon sunlight dances with shade upon the convertibles windshield.
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Getting to Redwoods National Park; another ninety miles north, the visitor arrives at the village of Orick. One option includes accessing Davison Road; a narrow, high clearance passage through a primeval forest that soon opens up into a pristine coastline, where elk are known to roam. Bald Hills Road is the second option; a crest line road through the Ladybird Johnson Grove and offering panoramic views of the rugged coast.
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When to visit: Winter is harsh and cold, spring is prone to heavy run-off and mudslides. Summer and autumn are pleasant.
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Amenities: Camping is easily available. Eureka and Crescent City offer all the modern conveniences of food and lodging.
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Tips & Warnings
A longer drive, but well worth it, is State Highway 1 along the California coast. This option includes the must visit Mendocino, California.
Opting out of taking the Avenue of the Giants Drive, the visitor will arrive upon commercial enterprise entitled The Legend of Bigfoot, where all things Bigfoot are carved, manufactured and sold.
Test any of the brews by the award winning Lost Coast Brewing Company.
Return to San Francisco and enjoy a couple of days.
Beware of Bigfoot.
