The 6 Best Places to See
Redwoods in California
The best places to see redwood trees are in the state of California.
The redwoods in California are absolutely stunning! A stroll through a grove of redwoods will leave you feeling as if you are an itty-bitty ant, walking among majestic giants.
They truly are magnificent and visiting the redwoods is a humbling, life-experience you’ll definitely want to have on your bucket list.
Whether you’re traveling solo, traveling with friends, or traveling with your kids, venturing into a California redwood grove is a great way to get back in touch with the power and beauty of mother nature.
In this post, we’ll explore 6 of the absolute best places to see redwood trees in California in no particular order.
And stick around to the end for some mind-blowing facts about redwoods and some handy tips for your next visit to the tallest trees on Earth!
The best places to see redwoods in California #1
MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Muir Woods National Monument was named after one of America’s most famous nature conservationists, John Muir, and is one of the top places to see redwood trees in California.
This redwood preserve is located in Northern California, just 16 miles north of San Francisco and famous for its dense grove of coastal, redwood trees.
There are many great hiking trails at Muir Woods.
For anyone who prefers strolling on the forest floor, there are plenty of quiet trails to explore that will lead you through the towering redwood grove. While on the forest floor, the Cathedral Grove is a place you’ll want to stop by. In this spot between the ancient trees, you will find yourself immersed in the beautiful stillness of nature.
If you prefer a view of the high treetops and Pacific Ocean, the Dipsea Trail and Ben Johnson trails will take you up the hillside to get you to these gorgeous views.
The best places to see redwoods in California #2
HENRY COWELL REDWOODS STATE PARK
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is another great place to see Redwoods in California.
It’s a beautiful, 40-acre redwood forest situated in the middle of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 70 miles south of San Francisco. It’s the perfect place to get in touch with nature without being too far from major towns..
The tallest tree here is roughly 277 feet tall and the famous Fremont Tree has enough room in its trunk to fit an entire family!
In addition to simply basking in the beauty of these redwoods, there are many more adventurous recreational activities to do at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Whether you have just 1 short hour or the entire day, there is a hiking trail that’s perfect for your schedule and physical abilities.
For an easier hike, the Redwood Grove Loop Trail is a short .8 mile loop that doesn’t have an aggressive elevation change. For a more difficult hike, the Big Ben is 7 miles round-trip with a pretty aggressive elevation change.
You can also explore the redwood via railroads. Roaring Camp Railroad is a tourist railroad that offers a train ride through Henry Cowell Redwood State Park and even to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. If you’re looking for a more relaxed way to explore the redwoods, this would be the way to go.
The best places to see redwoods in California #3
HUMBOLT REDWOOD STATE PARK
Located 48 miles south of Eureka, Humbolt Redwood State Park is another park to add to the list of the best places to see California redwood trees. With 53,000 acres of dense redwoods, it is the 3rd largest state park in California.
The most popular thing to do at Humbolt Redwood State Park is The Avenue of Giants. This well-known scenic drive is 31 miles long and is surrounded by spectacular redwoods.
Along this drive, you’ll come across several sleepy towns like Pepperwood, Miranda, and Meyers Flatt. In these towns you can browse through quaint, little shops and snag some keepsakes to commemorate your unforgettable trip to the redwoods.
Along this scenic drive there are also many trails meant for hiking and biking, and several entry points for Eel River which is perfect for fishing, swimming, and other water activities..
Then, when you get hungry, there are plenty of great picnic areas to have your lunch at.
The best places to see redwoods in California #4
BIG BASIN REDWOOD STATE PARK
Big Basin Redwood State Park is California’s oldest state park and is also a great location to see 18,000 acres of awe-inspiring redwood trees.
Like Henry Cowell State Park, it is located in Santa Cruz County so you can potentially see both parks in one weekend if you really wanted to.
As with all state parks, there is so much to see and do at Big Basin, but the main outdoor activity at the park is hiking one of its three major trails, all of which escort you through the main attraction: the mighty redwood trees.
The Redwood Loop Trail is a short .6 mile loop that is in the middle of the redwoods and perfect if you are short on time and/or energy. While it is one of the easier hikes, it offers opportunities to see some of the tallest trees in the park.
For anyone looking for a more strenuous trail, the Gazos Creek Road Loop is a 12-mile hike that takes you through old forest growth and expansive views.
The best places to see redwoods in California #5
JEDEDIAH SMITH REDWOOD STATE PARK
Another one of the best locations to see redwoods in California is Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.
Located about 22 miles south of the Oregon/California border, this gem is part of a multi-park partnership that makes up the Redwood National Park and is named after the man who found the South Pass in 1824, which was a shorter route through the Rocky Mountains.
Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park is where you’ll find seven percent of all old-growth redwoods. It’s gorgeous. It’s lush. And it’s drenched in green foliage.
As with all redwood preserves and parks, at this park, the best way to view the stunning giants and get a grasp of their grandness is from the ground, looking all the way up.
When you’re here, you will stumble across several opportunities to also climb into the huge trunk of a redwood. Bring a flashlight and hop on in.
Hiking and biking trails are a plenty as well, of course. The Stout Memorial Grove Trail is a short, yet pleasant .7 mile loop that takes you through a memorial grove along the Smith River. For a more moderate trek, the Leiffer and Ellsoworth Loop is a little over 2 miles long and is perfect for biking, trail runs, and birdwatching.
Camping and scenic drives are also some very popular ways to enjoy the grandeur of Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.
The best places to see redwoods in California #6
ARMSTRONG REDWOOD STATE NATURAL RESERVE
Armstrong Redwood State Natural Reserve is an easy way to see redwoods in California.
This California state park is located north of the Russian River in Guerneville, California and is named after Colonel James Armstrong, a lumberman whose mission it was to preserve the redwoods in the park.
While this redwood location is much smaller and has relatively younger trees compared to the the parks mentioned earlier, this park is very dense in redwoods and is perfect if you are looking for a quick trip that requires very little planning and research.
There are a few short and easy trails through redwood groves which make for the perfect leisurely stroll while still giving you the feeling of utmost awe and wonder that you might get in larger redwood parks.
The Discovery trail is fun because it offers several informational panels that teaches you about the park and is also interpreted into Braile. Another really fun part about this trail is that you’ll also find tree-hugging platforms along it’s path.
Some of the park’s main features include the Parson Jones trees with is the tallest in the park standing at 310 feet in height. There is also the Colonel Armstrong tree, which is 1,4000 years old and the oldest tree in the park.
California has the best places to see redwood trees.
John Steinbeck describes the redwoods best. Spending some time wandering through these gentle giants is humbling and will leave you with memories that will stay with you forever.
Spending some time wandering through these gentle giants is truly humbling and will leave you with inspiring memories that will stay with you forever.
So as you plan your next outdoorsy trip, make sure you put one of our top 6 on your list of places to see the redwoods in California.
If you enjoyed this post, and are looking for other great adventures to have in Northern California, feel free to check out my other post on the Top 5 Unforgettable Bay Area Day Trips for Families.
And as promised, here are my favorite redwood tips and fun facts! Enjoy!
Quick and Simple Tips for Visiting the Redwoods in California
- Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes. While many parks offer paved trails, it’s still a good idea to have sturdy shoes as the forest floor can often times be wet, muddy, and slippery.
- Wear layers of clothing that you can easily put on and peel off. Venturing through the redwoods can be cool and shady, but can get warmer once you’re out from under the trees.
Make your trip more enjoyable by knowing what’s ahead as far as weather and traffic goes. Be sure to check current weather and traffic conditions.
Not all parks and hiking trails are pet-friendly. Be sure to check park websites to see if your fur-baby will be permitted to enjoy the park as well.
When you’re at the parks, look up…way up. The best way to taking in the majesty of the redwoods is from the forest floor, looking up.
Fun Facts About the California Redwoods
The tallest tree on earth is a coast redwood known as Hyperion, which measured in at 380.3 feet. That’s taller than a 35 story building!
The only place a giant sequoia can grow is on the western side of the Sierra Nevada in California.
A new coastal redwood can either grow from a stump or from a seed.
Their roots don’t run very deep. They only go 6-12 feet into the earth.
Some California redwoods have lived for up to 2,000 years.
Termites don’t like eating redwoods.
These trees provide home to many plants and wildlife.
Redwoods get their name from the bold, reddish-brown color of their wood.
The term “California redwoods” is actually a term often used to refer to two types of trees: the coastal redwood and the giant sequoia.
Their extremely thick bark protects them from forest firsts that can naturally occur in parts of California.