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Redwood Forest Vacation: Take a Road Trip Through the Redwoods

A Redwoods Road Trip Itinerary in California

Redwoods National Park is a gorgeous part of California. Towering pine trees line narrow roads that zig zag through the park, nearly shielding out the sunlight in some parts. It’s hard not to be in awe of the Redwoods when you consider the fact that some of them are over a century old and can be a staggering 300+ feet tall, and that they survived the immense logging that went on here before the National Park was created. 

A Redwood National Park road trip can be a long weekend from San Francisco or a couple days along the Highway 101 drive that stretches from San Diego all the way to Seattle. 

My jaunt around Redwood National Park came at the southern end of an Oregon Coast Road Trip from Seattle, which was a great way to do so. But whether you’re coming from the south, the north or the east, a Redwood National Park road trip is best thought of as a loop. Read on for why and the top sites you won’t want to miss while exploring this iconic National Park. 

When doing a Redwoods National Park road trip, keep in mind you’re likely not going to want to stick to just the National Park part of the Redwood forests. That’s because a lot of the top attractions are located in Humboldt Redwood State Park, to the south of Redwood National Park. There are actually a few California state parks located within the Redwoods region and your road trip will likely zig and zag among these state parks and the national park. I recommend focusing a lot of your time on Humboldt Redwood State Park, though, because it is home to a number of iconic redwood sites and two-thirds of its area is old growth Redwoods.  

Another thing to keep in mind is just how much there is to do in Redwood National and State Parks beyond the giant trees. Yes, the trees are the main draw and they are wildly impressive, but Humboldt Redwood State Park actually encompasses forty miles of gorgeous coastline, most of which is inhabited and uncommercialized — the only part of the California coastline to be protected like that. 

Top Sites to See on a Redwood National Park Road Trip

Myer’s Flat Drive-Thru Tree

I did this in a mid-size SUV and just barely made it through without a scratch. So, be warned your car might get a ding! But I’ve also never laughed so hard while driving (an inch forward a minute). It’s an experience you don’t want to miss. There are a number of drive-thru trees in northern California, but the Myer’s Flat one is a hit (don’t take that literally!) due to its large size and the fact that for the price you can also get out and see some pretty fun tree houses. My girls loved them! 

Lost Coast & Shelter Cove

The Lost Coast is the name given to a stretch of coastline on the western edge of Redwood National Parks that is the only undeveloped part of California’s coastline. There is one city, though, in its midst, and that’s Shelter Cove, which I highly recommend you visit during a Redwoods road trip. 

Shelter Cove is a 30-minute detour off the part of Highway 101 that runs through Redwood National Forest.

You go down a long, winding road with incredible views and end up at a little town that feels totally secluded from the rest of the world.

Stop and get gas at the tiniest gas station I’ve ever seen, visit the adjacent general store and gift shop to stock up on some snacks and souvenirs, and then head to the coast for fantastic, rugged views – and even a black sand beach!

Avenue of the Giants

This is the part of the California redwoods that you have to do on a Redwoods road trip. It’s a loop drive that covers miles of road that is flanked by towering trees that are some of the tallest and oldest in Redwood National Forest. You’ll feel like you’ve left the sunlight behind due to the massive canopy of pine branches covering up  the sky with brilliant sun beams breaking through on parts of the highway.