The Giant Redwood Trees of California have been on my bucket list for quite some time.
It’s OK to make a Bucket List but do not make it and never do it like so many people do. Some day may never come. There is never a perfect moment, just save up and go for it!
That’s what we have been doing and we were able to mark off quite a few on our recent exploration of California.
We recently embarked on our 2nd Family Multi-week California Road Trip and this time visiting the Redwoods was at the top of the list.
I had seen the photos, I had seen Star Wars Return of the Jedi (where they filmed some of the parts in the Redwood National and State Forests) and I remember racing through it on my old Nintendo 64 video game Cruis’n USA . I was eager to see them in real life.
I remember first exiting Highway 101 onto Ave of the Giants. It was like we were instantaneously on another planet. We were quickly surrounded by magnificent giant redwoods. I fell instantly in love with their grace and beauty.
There are multiple trees you can actually drive through throughout the state of California. We decided to visit one giant redwood and one giant Sequoya. I excitedly drove through the forest towards our first official stop within the redwoods.
1. Avenue of the Giants aka California 254
Upon driving to the Avenue of the Giants I wasn’t sure what I was heading towards. I assumed Ave of the Giants would be a block or two of beautiful giant trees. I got much more than expected. The Ave of the Giants is actually a road that goes below Highway 101 through forests upon forests of huge magnificent trees. It is actually 31.6 miles long. It actually takes you to the majority of the amazing stops on our list.
2. The Chandelier Tree.
The Chandelier Tree is a Giant Redwood that people have been driving through since the 1930’s. The tree is said to be 2,000 years old. It is found in Leggett, California at Drive Thru Tree Park.
3. Humboldt Redwood Forest
After cruising through the Ave of the Giants we decided to pull over as soon as we saw a giant tipped over tree located in Lansdale Grove Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California. We just had to get out and explore it. Within seconds Kayla and Cash were climbing on top of the massive tree and I was frozen in amazement as I attempted to capture the beauty on my different cameras I brought along.
After driving and stopping multiple times to enjoy the many trees we ended up at our second drive thru tree to visit.
4. The Shrine tree.
The Shrine tree is a Giant Sequoya tree that is an estimated 3,000 years old. This was the second tree we drove through. It cost 6 dollars but you not only get to drive thru the tree there are many other different tree related activities such as two giant trees they turned into clubhouses.
These trees are truly remarkable. Just remembering standing in their presence fills me with wonder. Photos do not do them justice, it is a sight to be seen in person and I encourage you to make plans to visit them.
5. Confusion hill
We kept seeing signs for Confusion Hill and had no clue what it was but decided we had to check it out. Upon arriving we noticed a giant totem pole that was a redwood tree carved with a chainsaw which made it into Guinness Book of World Records. They also had a awesome gift shop and historical signs and photos of the Redwood National Forest.
Bonus! Grandfather Tree and One Log House
One log house is a house made out of one giant redwood log. It is very interesting and near it is the grandfather tree. The parking lot for the grandfather tree was blocked off by cones but I just had to get a closer look at this giant tree. I walked across the parking lot and over to the massive tree. I think it was the biggest tree I was able to see on our short time in redwood.
The Redwood National and State Parks are truly amazing and I believe everyone should make a trip to visit them sometime in your life. Don’t push it off just set a date save some money and go explore! ?
Below is a map of where to find the places recommended above .
Check out our video from our day exploring the redwoods and Subscribe for more great videos!
Please comment and let us know what should be added to the list. We will be making another trip to redwood in the future and plan on camping among the giant trees. I’d love to hear from you !
Wonderful article. I love that area but may be partial because I grew up in Northern California and have so many of the same photos. Only mine are much poorer quality and I’m a child in the pics! Thanks for sharing and making me feel nostalgic.
Elizabeth