Drive Through a Giant Redwood in Northern California

Title: Drive Through a Giant Redwood Forest in Northern California: Your Ultimate Guide

Welcome to an unforgettable journey through the colossal beauty of Northern California’s Giant Redwood forests! This blog post will serve as your comprehensive guide, offering insights on visiting, dining, staying, and engaging in exciting activities that make this experience truly remarkable for tourists.

Visiting:

  • Redwood National & State Parks: Spanning four counties, this network of protected lands boasts some of the tallest trees on Earth. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is particularly famous for its drive-through tree, “The Chandelier Tree.”
  • Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: Home to the 196-foot-tall Stout Tree and the beautiful Freshwater Creek.
  • Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park: Offers a scenic coastal redwood drive along the historic Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.

Eating:

Savor local flavors at these delicious eateries:

  • Forks Restaurant: Known for its fresh seafood and fine dining, this Arcata gem offers stunning views of Humboldt Bay.
  • Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe: Enjoy artisanal brews and farm-to-table cuisine in Eureka, CA.
  • Sam’s Mediterranean Grill: A Crescent City favorite for delicious, authentic Middle Eastern dishes.

Staying:

Discover comfort amidst nature at these recommended accommodations:

  • Inn at Cape Kiwanda: Located in Pacific City, this charming inn offers breathtaking ocean views and comfortable lodging.
  • Samoa Cookhouse: A historic dining hall in Orleans turns into a cozy lodge for the night, offering guests a unique experience.
  • **Best Western Plus Inn at Arcata: Offers convenient access to Redwood National & State Parks and Arcata’s charming downtown.

Activities:

Enhance your visit with these must-do activities:

  • Walking the Avenue of the Giants: This 31-mile scenic drive through a redwood forest offers ample opportunities for picnicking, hiking, and wildlife spotting.
  • Visiting Fern Canyon: A hidden gem in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park that resembles a mini-Yosemite with its towering redwoods and verdant fern-lined canyons.
  • Exploring Orick’s Patrick’s Point State Park: Enjoy stunning coastal views, tide pools, and short hikes to explore the park’s natural beauty.

Other Interesting Facts:

  • The tallest tree in the world is located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, named “Hyperion” and measuring 379.7 feet (115.7 m).
  • The redwood forests store enough carbon to offset the CO2 emissions of San Francisco for two years!
  • The average age of a giant sequoia is between 500 to 800 years, while the oldest known tree, named Methuselah, is over 3,700 years old.

Embark on this extraordinary journey through Northern California’s Giant Redwood forests and create unforgettable memories amidst towering trees that have stood tall for millennia!