Visiting Avenue Of The Giants : The 32-Mile Scenic Drive Through The Redwoods Of California

Visiting Avenue Of The Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park CaliforniaDriving along Avenue of the Giants is a must if you are planning a trip to California and would like to see the towering redwoods. Visiting the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park is an unforgettable experience that gives us the chance to marvel at the largest old-growth redwood forest in the world. The majesty of these ancient coastal redwoods along this 32-mile drive makes visitors want to slow down and soak in the beauty of the pristine landscape.

We often find ourselves planning road trips to Humboldt Redwoods State Park on extended weekends from our home base in San Francisco Bay Area. Driving along its most scenic stretch – Avenue of the Giants – is always a highlight for our family when we visit this state park.

Whether you are planning on visiting Avenue of the Giants on a day trip or as a part of an extended camping vacation, you are sure to be awestruck by these giant redwoods. So, here’s our travel guide on Avenue of the Giants that highlights how you can make the most of your trip along Northern California’s most scenic drive through the redwoods.

Avenue of the Giants: A brief introduction

Avenue of the Giants is a 31.59 miles long two-lane drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It is a flat, easy drive that winds along the nearby Eel River. While visiting Avenue of the Giants, you will find yourself driving through groves of redwoods that are interspersed by pockets of Douglas fir trees, ferns, forest vegetation, open meadows, and small towns.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is the third largest state park in California. It encompasses nearly 50,000 acres of protected forest out of which 17,000 acres are coast redwoods. Caressed by the mist from the nearby Pacific Ocean and under the canopy of these giant trees is a lush green carpet of shade-loving plants and ferns that make the landscape look even more beautiful. The information boards also caution visitors to watch out for poison oak plants growing around the state park while exploring the forest.

Slender tall coast redwoods of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California

There are eight auto tour stops along Avenue of the Giants. These stops have informative panels, provide access to picnic sites, hiking trails, and redwood groves. Be sure to pick up the auto tour brochure near the entrance as you get off the freeway. When you see the majesty of these redwoods in person, it’s easy to understand why Avenue of the Giants should be included on your California bucket list.

Cell phone signal inside the redwood grove is patchy and information presented in this brochure and panels at each stop serves as the primary navigation guide along the drive. This scenic drive through the redwoods connects several quaint towns as it winds along the park. Visitors can stop by these small towns for buying picnic supplies, souvenirs, making calls from payphones, and even finding lodging. Starting from the southern entrance, these towns include Phillipsville, Miranda, Myers Flat, Burlington, Weott, Englewood, Redcrest, and Pepperwood (at its northern entrance).

The Coast Redwood – an Old Growth Forest:

The coast redwood trees are the tallest trees found on Earth and should not be confused with the giant sequoias. In general, there are three types of redwood trees – Coast redwoods, Giant Sequoias, and Dawn Redwoods. Visiting Avenue of The Giants gives us the chance to witness the splendid coast redwoods that have made their home in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Coast redwood trees can grow as tall as 350 feet and up to 26 feet wide. These slender coniferous trees stand tall over the other trees of the forest as they compete with each other for sunlight. The coast redwoods of the Humboldt Redwood State Park is an old-growth forest. There are trees of varying life cycles growing throughout this forest, with some as old as 2000 years. It is considered ancient not just because of the age of some of its oldest trees but also because its appearance has been preserved over the centuries.

 

Coast redwoods along Avenue of the Giants

Due to climatic and geological changes, the coast redwoods are prevalent along the Californian coastline. They grow in a span that stretches across 450 miles from the Big Sur near Monterey, California to just over the Oregon border.

The mighty redwoods are resilient trees – a characteristic that is imparted to them by the presence of tannic acid, a type of tannin, in their barks. The presence of this tannin also gives the characteristic color to the redwoods and provides resistance to some of the plant diseases caused by insects and fungi. Interestingly, these redwoods have a shallow root system and their roots are often intertwined with each other to provide additional stability.

Fern and shade loving plants growing along the forest floor

History of Humboldt Redwoods State Park

By 1915, more and more industries started to come up along California’s north coast. As a result, these redwoods started getting logged by lumber companies that were established in the region. A turning point came when in 1917 the site was visited by three natural scientists – Madison Grant, John C. Merriam, and Henry Fairfield Osborn. Seeing the ongoing logging of the redwoods, they founded Save the Redwoods League in 1918 to preserve these ancient giants.

By 1920, with the help of private donations that were often matched with public park funds, Save the Redwoods League started purchasing portions of these redwood forests from sellers. Their monumental effort to preserve the forest by turning these acquired lands into a state park helped preserve the redwoods forest in its natural glory.

Avenue of the Giants had initially been a part of US-101. However, after the construction of a bypass in 1960, Avenue of the Giants was designated as CA Route 254. It runs parallel to US-101 with access to this main highway from several points along the scenic route.

Avenue of the Giants

Visiting Avenue of the Giants: How to get there by car

Also known as State Route 254 (SR 254), Avenue of the Giants is located about four hours north of San Francisco and about 2 hours south of the Oregon state border. Getting to Avenue of the Giants is easy and the best way to reach this famous 32-mile drive is by car.

There are two main entrances along the north and south ends for starting the drive along the entire scenic route. To reach Avenue of the Giants, from highway 101, the first exit you can take from the south side is at Phillipsville (exit 645 on 101-N), whereas from the north side, it is at Pepperwood (exit 674 on 101-S) . Besides these exits, Avenue of the Giants can also be accessed by the exits for Miranda, Myers Flat, Weott, and Redcrest.

Mural of Avenue of the Giants at Gaberville California

Ideally, plan on spending at least a couple of days in the park to explore it leisurely. Besides camping facilities, there is lodging available at Myers Inn B&B, Miranda and Redcrest. These lodging and camping facilities need to be reserved well in advance.

Driving from San Francisco to Avenue of the Giants:

San Francisco is a popular tourist destination along the U.S. west coast and there are plenty of day trip options for exploring the surrounding region. If you don’t mind an early morning start, then one of the best day trips from San Francisco can include visiting Avenue of the Giants.

Visiting Avenue of the Giants from San Francisco: via US 101 or CA-1?

A one-way road trip from San Francisco to Avenue of the Giants along US-101 N takes about 4 hours over 225 miles. Whenever we take the road trip along US-101 N to Avenue of the Giants, we make a short stop Garberville for brunch or buying meals for a picnic.

Garberville is located about 10 mins away from the southern entrance of the Avenue of Giants. Many visitors also stop by at Garberville’s Legends of Bigfoot Store for seeing its popular redwood chainsaw carvings and for souvenir shopping.

If you plan on camping in Avenue of Giants or elsewhere in the State Park, then another great option is to take the coastal route along CA-1 N to the State Park. While this alternate route is just a bit longer (265 miles), the time needed to reach Avenue of the Giants is significantly more – nearly 7 hours in total. However, the views along the winding, famous CA-1 N are definitely worth it if you have the time.

If you are planning on staying for at least a couple of days at the Humboldt State Park, then my recommendation would be to take the coastal drive (CA-1) up there and then take the main highway (US-101) on the way back.

The stunning coastal drive along california highway 1

Best time for visiting Avenue of the Giants and Humboldt Redwoods State Park

The Humboldt Redwoods State Park is open to the public year-round with its visitor center closed on only Thanksgiving and Christmas. Having visited the State Park during each of the seasons, we felt that the best time to visit the Park is during the summer and early fall season. The park tends to receive most of its share of rain during late fall through spring – specifically from November to May.

Summers are drier with warm daytime temperatures (70s-low 80s F) pleasant evening temperatures (50s-60s F) making it an ideal season for hiking in the park. Summer is the peak season to visit the park so you might see more traffic along Avenue of the Giants. Be sure to reserve the campsite or lodging along the route ahead of time if you are planning on spending a few days in the park, especially during this peak season.

Visiting Avenue of the Giants in the early fall season is also a great option. The beautiful colors of the fall foliage around the forest, fewer crowds, lesser chance of rainfall, and mild daytime temperatures make it fun to explore the redwoods at this time of the year.

The must-see sights along Avenue of the Giants

There is so much to see and do during a trip to this magnificent state park. There are plenty of hiking trails, camping sites, biking options, water activities (kayaking, swimming) and even horseback riding that provide thrilling experiences to adventure enthusiasts of all ages.

Visiting Avenue of the Giants is a delight in itself as you get to see a beautiful snapshot of this expansive state park along the route. Take your time along this drive and pull over at the stops along the way to marvel at the magnificent landscape. Some of the highlights of this 32-mile scenic stretch in the redwoods included the following.

1. Bolling Grove

Bolling Grove is the second auto tour stop along the route from the south entrance. Interestingly, it was one of the first redwood groves of the forests to be preserved.

It is a popular stop along the scenic drive as it is one of the first redwood groves you will come across from the south entrance. A conveniently located auto pullover stop close to the grove allows you to wander around this small sized grove. There are no hiking trails in this grove but it makes for the perfect stop to catch a first close-up glimpse of the giant redwoods.

Visiting Avenue of the Giants - Redwoods seen at Bolling Grove

2. Eel River

Eel River cuts through the heart of Humboldt Redwoods State Park and is the third-largest river of California. Most of the Avenue of the Giants runs along the South Fork of the Eel River.

There are several river access-points and swimming holes in the Eel River along the Avenue of the Giants. The most popular Eel River swimming holes along this drive are Leatherwood Bar (near Founders Grove), Eagle Point (near Hidden Springs Campground) and Landsdale Bar (near Miranda).

Visiting Avenue Of The Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park California

3. Shrine Drive-Thru Tree near Myers Flat

The Shrine Drive-Thru Tree located near the town of Myers Flat is one of the drives through trees that can be visited along the Avenue of the Giants (the other one being the Chandelier Tree).

This tree is also known as the Doust Tree. Although the tree itself was hollowed by fire, it is a popular stop for visitors who would like to pay a small fee for driving through the 7.0 ft X 7.0 ft tunnel carved through the trunk of the tree.

Kids, in particular, enjoy the drive through this tree which is nearly 3000 years old. There are also two little houses near this tree that have been carved out of the redwood which make for a fun, short stop.

4. Williams Grove and Day Use Area

Nearly half a mile north of Myers Flat is Williams Grove. During the months of May – September, the two Williams Grove Group Campsites are open. The sprawling campsite can accommodate up to 100 people in total making it a great location for large family gatherings and special events. This is a nice grove to walk through and a great place for a picnic. The day-use area can only be accessed for a fee of $8 per vehicle which covers the use of its picnic tables, restrooms, and access to the Eel River.

Magnificent redwood groves along Avenue of the Giants

5. The Visitor Center

Located about two miles south of Weott, the Visitor Center is denoted as stop number three on the auto tour guide. This center is a great place to stop by for gazing at educational exhibits, shopping for souvenirs and getting helpful information about the area.

If you happen to stop by the visitor center, you will surely come across the fascinating display – Redwood Log of History. The rings in the cross-section of the trunk of the redwood tree are labeled with events occurring over the years. The earliest label placed at the innermost ring is for “1000 Vikings discover North America while the final, outermost label is for “1928 California State Park system established”.

6. Founder’s Grove & The Dyerville Giant

Located along the Dyerville Loop Road north of the town of Weott is one of the most visited groves of Avenue of the Giants – The Founders Grove. This grove along the Avenue of the Giants is frequently covered by mist and fog rolling through the valley resulting in one of the densest redwood groves.

This massive grove is popular for its convenient location, its hiking trails, and spectacular views of the tall redwoods. There are three trails that can be accessed from this grove – the Founders’ Grove loop, Mahan Loop, and the Goosepen Loop.

Fallen redwoods in Founders Grove - Avenue of the Giants

The most popular of the three trails in the half-mile long Founders’ Grove loop that leads visitors to the Founders Tree and the fallen Dyerville Giant at the end of the loop. This redwood giant that once stood 362 ft tall fell in March 1991. I couldn’t help but feel dwarfed by the immense size of this redwood as we walked along its length.

As you explore this grove you might notice a number of fallen redwood trees. Roots of redwood trees are frequently intertwined with each other for additional stability and when one tree falls, it often results in a domino effect causing nearby redwoods to fall as well.

7. Dyerville Outlook

Marked as stop number 6 along Avenue of the Giants on the auto tour brochure, the Dyerville Outlook is located at the intersection of the main and south forks of the Eel River. This was the site for the historic town of Dyerville that was unfortunately washed away by the flooding of the Eel River in 1937 and 1955. What was once a thriving town with several hotels, logging camps, shops, and a school is now open space on the banks of the river with an old rail bridge running across the river in the backdrop.

Dyerville Outlook

Visiting Avenue of the Giants - The historic rail bridge seen at Dyerville Outlook

8. Rockefeller Forest and Rockefeller Grove

The well-preserved 7000 acres spread that makes up Rockefeller Forest is part of Humboldt Redwoods State Park containing the largest grove of redwood trees. The 0.7 miles long Rockefeller Loop Trail gives hikers a chance to view the magnificent old-growth redwoods in this area that are said to have never been logged. Nearby trails also lead to the Giant Tree and the Flatiron Tree. The Giant Tree is the second largest tree in the entire Humboldt State Park with a height of 363 ft and a circumference of 53 ft. The staggering size of the downed Flatiron tree that has a typical cross-section of 7.5 ft x 17.5 ft leaves hikers awestruck.

Rockerfeller grove along Avenue of the Giants

9. Immortal Tree

One of the most unique and interesting sights along the 32-mile drive is the Immortal Tree. This nearly 1000-year-old tree survived the forest fire in 1908, an attempt at being logged, floods of 1964, and even a lightning strike. No wonder it is called the immortal tree!

Markers on the tree for an axe and a fish represents the points of impact of the logger’s axe and the water level during the flood. The immortal tree is located north of Redcrest, close to the north entrance at Pepperwood and really helps understand the resiliency of the redwoods.

10. Annual Avenue of the Giants Marathon

There truly is something for everyone at Humboldt Redwoods State Park – be it an adventurer, hiker, camper or even a marathon runner! There are yearly marathons held along this scenic drive in the months of May and October . The relatively flat gradient of the Avenue of the Giants and the beauty of the surrounding redwoods make this an amazing experience.

Visiting Avenue Of The Giants in Northern California

Tips for visiting Avenue of the Giants:

1. Dressing up in layers is highly recommended as temperatures in the redwood grove can change suddenly and also tend to be significantly lower than those outside the forest. Be sure to check the weather forecast before planning your visit to Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt State Park.

2. Cell phone signal along Avenue of the Giants is not very reliable so download the park map on your phone and/or stop by to pick up the free Auto Guide Tour brochures near the entrance board.

3. Pack water, snacks, reliable park map, weather-resistant clothing, sturdy shoes, and flashlight when planning a trip to these redwoods.

4. Make reservations for lodging and camping sites along Avenue of the Giants well in advance.

5. Remember the mantra “Leaves of three, let them be…” and steer clear of the poison oak that is common in the Redwoods State Park.

6. There are wild animals like black bears and mountain lions in the region. Be sure to clean up, store and discard all the food in the camp and picnic sites in animal-proof containers.

7. Fires in the campsites are only allowed in the designated fire rings. Firewood can be purchased at the Visitor Center or campground entrance. Gathering wood from the forest itself is prohibited.

Seeing the coast redwoods in Humboldt State Park is a must for anyone who loves the outdoors. Visiting Avenue of the Giants is a memorable experience as it feels like a unique place where time seems to have stood still and has encapsulated this magnificent natural landscape in the pristine form.

We look forward to planning another road trip this state park …. Until then, goodbye dear Avenue of the Giants!

Disclaimer: It’s a pleasure for us to share our travel experiences with all our readers and we sincerely hope to inspire your future travels. In order to help us maintain this blog and offset the costs of running landoftravels.com, we have sprinkled affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to make a purchase via any of these affiliate links, we’ll earn a tiny commission at no additional cost to you.

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Avenue Of The Giants - A Drive Through The Redwoods Of Northern California

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