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It’s a strange feeling, standing amongst the giant redwood trees of Northern California. They surround us with strength and power, towering over us so tall we can rarely see their upper branches. They provided a sharp contrast to the wide-open coastal views we had been enjoying as we drove from Astoria along the Oregon Coast.

It seemed nearly impossible to capture the grandeur of the redwood trees and the contrasting feeling of both awe and insignificance. I gave it my best shot. Here are the photo highlights from hiking and driving south from Crescent City California to Fort Bragg through the giant redwood trees.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

We entered Jedediah Smith from the south on Howland Hill Road and looped up to the north. Although starting out paved the road quickly became a hard packed dirt road with incredible scenery. We stopped and hiked at Stout Grove. I recommend both the drive and the hike.

In Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, California, USA
Hiking at Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park 2
Everything seemed larger than life.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park 3
We felt small next to the redwood trees.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Prairie Creek is home to the tallest tree on earth but they keep its location a secret. However, there are plenty of tall trees here, and one of the tallest is found in the “Big Tree Wayside” off of the Foothill trail. This state park is great for hiking with loads of well signposted trails. From the Northern end of the park there are several relatively short trails leading out to a lesser known beach.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California, USA
Hubby and I standing in fron of one of the big trees.
A berry in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California, USA
I wonder if this berry was edible.

The Avenue of the Giants in Humbolt Redwoods State Park

This 31 mile drive through the redwood trees was the highlight of our day. We did stop at “Pepperwood” for a hike, although Founder’s Grove was the hiking area that had been recommended to us. Either way, the rain came and we cut our hike short.

This portion of road through the redwood trees is called the Avenue of the Giants. (Northern California, USA)
The Avenue of the Giants
Avenue of the Giants, California, USA
Walking into the forest at Pepperwood.
Looking up at the redwood trees in the Avenue of the Giants, California, USA
Looking up from the hiking trail.
Avenue of the Giants, California, USA
Fallen trees produce new growth.

Practical Information:

  • The Coast Redwood is the tallest living tree on earth and a fascinating excursion on any USA road trip.
  • Not only are they tall, but they are also old. Fossil research suggests that relatives of today’s coast redwood trees thrived in the Jurassic Era, 160 million years ago.
  • Only about 5% of the world’s old growth redwood trees exist today, and 95% of these are in California, mostly in protected parks.
  • We drove by three places that had a “famous” drive-thru tree for $5, but we didn’t see the point without kids, and besides, we can’t imagine that the redwood trees like it very much.
  • You can stop into visitor’s centers at each park for free trail maps, or, pre-purchase this waterproof, tear-resistant trail map from National Geographic of the Redwood National and State Parks.

Have you seen the giant redwood trees of Northern California? How did you react?

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Hiking at Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park amongst the giant redwood trees of California.

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  1. Actually, Prairie Creek used to have the largest coast redwood, and the tallest one was published as Redwood National Park when National Geographic covered the measuring in 2006. The berry in the photo is edible. It’s Salmonberry. We get some scratches and bleeding from the stems when we explore. My name should be linked with a page about new updates. Follow the breadcrumbs from that page to the main page and more if you are interested.

    Cheers, M. D. Vaden

    Reply

  3. Pictures do give these trees justice, I’ve seen them a couple of times and have never grown tired of looking at them. They are magnificent in person!

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  5. I have not seen them up close like that. I would have been in awe for sure. I love that pic. of you and your husband in front of that massive tree! Amazing!

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  6. The redwood trees are truly breathtaking. It has been too long since I have been to a redwood forest. Your photos are amazing!!

    -Soma

    Reply

  14. Am glad you found the meme SEASONS – welcome!.
    When we lived 7 hrs. South, we used to go to Yosemite almost every year for 2 decades, and they have a special section for the Sequoias. Always have the sense of awe, that I am just a small part of something bigger (history). And the smell of the forest is stronger than at open areas. That is my impression:)
    Now we live about 3 1/2 hours from Yosemite, so I’m spoiled!

    Many thanks for sharing your trip with SEASONS, and hope to see you back very soon (am changing urls, since I’m running out of space. You can see the new url at the beginning of the post)

    Reply

    • I lived in San Francisco for 15 years, and never made it up here before, nor did I get to Oregon. Now that I live half way around the world I can make the effort to get here.

      Reply

  16. Those trees are gorgeous. It’s been a wish of mine to see the redwoods. Not sure if it will ever happen.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Beautiful images.

    Reply

  17. I cannot wait to see the Redwoods some day. They are high on my bucket list. Your pictures are stunning. You captured their enormous nature so very well.

    Lisa @ Life Thru the Lens (www.lisakerner-slp.com)

    Reply

  20. I have seen the Great Redwood Trees in California, but not for many, many years. Like you, I was awe struck … it is hard to imagine the size and the beauty of these trees and how old they must be. Every time I hear about a fire in California (which sadly is often these days) I pray that the Redwoods will survive it.

    Thank you for coming to my blog. I hope you do make it to Thailand … it is a wonderful place and there was so much more than I was able to see. I was lucky enough to have my son and daughter-in-law (who is Thai) as tour guides so I was able to see Thailand through their eye which made it very special. There are many historical sites to be seen that I hope to get to when I go back in two years. I wish you a wonderful time is Asia …

    Andrea @ From The Sol

    Reply

    • I think most of the fires we hear about are in Southern California, so not effecting this trees. That would be such a tragedy. As for Asia, Thailand is currently on the list be we haven’t book anything yet.

      Reply

  22. I visited one park during my visit to California during the 90’s. As you said, the immense trees make you feel so insignificant. Great photos by the way. It’s impossible to capture their majesty on film (my opinion). Same as no photo really gives the feeling of the Grand Canyon.

    Reply

  24. We have camped in both Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, near the river, and at Prairie Creek. Prairie Creek was my very first camping experience, and we loved it. We saw a lot of wildlife there. We hadn’t been married very long on our first visit. We went back years later after we had the kids with us. They were also with us at Jedediah Smith. i’ve never felt so small in my life. In those days, I didn’t have a digital camera, so I didn’t take many photos.

    Reply

  29. It looks like a raspberry but yello.
    Not sure if they are like that before ripe we’ll have to look that up

    Reply

  33. No I missed out on seeing these when we visited San Francisco. We had a choice between Yosemite National Park and Big Sur. There were many big redwoods in Yosemite National Park however. But I am guessing they weren’t as big as these ones.

    Reply

  34. I haven’t seen the Giant Redwoods in person, and I’m sure film and photos don’t fully do them justice — but they’re spectacular even in those mediums!! Thanks so much for the awesome pics! 🙂

    Reply

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