So you’re heading out on a California Redwoods road trip but don’t know where to start? Lucky for you, I know all the good spots! The first time I embarked up Highway 101 in search of the Redwoods, I was completely taken aback by just how large the area is. Redwood trees appear in groves along the coast, forcing you to hop in the car and drive around to different areas to see them. This post will supply you with the ultimate California Redwoods road trip itinerary, including all the stops to see those iconic trees.
The California Redwoods Road Trip Itinerary
For this California Redwoods road trip itinerary, we’ll be exploring the northwest part of the state. Starting in the southern portion near Myers Flat and working north via Highway 101, we’ll cover nearly 150 miles, ending at Jedediah Smith State Park.
Avenue of the Giants
The first stop on our California Redwoods road trip itinerary is the 32 mile Avenue of the Giants drive. Beginning just south of Phillipsville, the Avenue of the Giants (CA-254) runs parallel with Highway 101.
Multiple pull-offs and short hikes can be found through the Avenue of the Giants stretch. You can grab a brochure that details the best stops at the beginning of the drive. Be sure to make a pit stop at one of the iconic drive through trees!
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
About halfway along the Avenue of the Giants, the road runs through Humboldt Redwoods State Park north of Myers Flat.
Spanning a total of 53,000 acres, a third of Humboldt State Park contains old-growth Redwoods. This number alone is the largest abundance of ancient Redwoods left on earth. Don’t miss Founder’s Grove to see the 360-foot Dyerville Giant or hike along more than 100 miles of trails.
Patricks Point State Park
About an hour north of Humboldt is a short stop on your California Redwoods road trip itinerary. Just off Highway 101, Patrick’s Point State Park is only one-square-mile but offers a variety of exploring opportunities through the Redwoods and along the coast.
My favorite time to visit Patrick’s Point is in the morning when the colors of the sunrise roll in over that coastal fog.
Stroll through the jungle-like atmosphere on the banks of the Pacific Ocean where you’ll find tide pools at the base of a dramatic hazy shoreline.
Read More: A Morning in Patrick’s Point State Park
Redwoods National Park
About 25 minutes up the road will bring you to one of my favorite spots in the entire world. While Redwoods National Park is only a portion of the entire protected area, it contains one of the best and most easily accessible hikes around, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove.
A small box at the trailhead offers visitors a brochure that correspond with the marked postings along the trail. To know more about what you’re viewing, consider paying the $1 donation to learn the significances of this Redwood grove.
You can see this magical place via an easy 1.4 mile loop trail. Try and visit in the early morning to see it in the hazy fog!
Read More: Hiking the Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwoods National Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
A short 10 minute drive north via Highway 101 is Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. A designated World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, it’s a quick stop on our Redwoods road trip itinerary but a worthy one.
The main road running through the park, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, is actually an alternative detour off of Highway 101. This makes it easy to drive through Prairie Creek without spending too much time.
If you have time to explore on foot, Prairie Creek has more than 75 miles of trails. The most popular is Fern Canyon but the best route to see the Redwoods is via the Big Tree Circle trail and the Cathedral Trees trail.
Read More: Visiting Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Our most coastal Redwoods road trip stop is around 15 miles north of Prairie Creek. A remote 8 mile stretch of land with a rocky shoreline makes up Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Designated a state park nearly 100 years ago, 50% of Del Norte consists of old-growth ancient Redwoods.
Spend some time wandering the trails of this gorgeous state park. A short but steep 2 mile trail will bring you along Damnation Creek or the famous 1200-mile Coastal Trail also runs directly through Del Norte.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
And now we’re on to our final stop of the day which is really the only place you need to go to see the best of the Redwoods. Just over 10 miles up the road will bring you to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, holding 7% of all the old-growth Redwoods left in the world. Seeing more than 100 inches of rain per year, Jedediah Smith is actually one of the wettest spots in all of North America.
With more than 10,000 acres in Jedediah Smith State Park, there are a few can’t-miss spots like Howland Hill Road, the River Trail, Stout Memorial Grove Trail, Mill Creek Trail and the Grove of Titans.
Read more about visiting Jedediah Smith here!
Howland Hill Road
Howland Hill Road that runs through Jedediah Smith State Park is one of the most stunning drives I’ve ever taken, especially in the golden hues of autumn. Wind through the ancient Redwoods on this 6 mile drive.
Grove of Titans
While the Stout Memorial Grove Trail and the River Trail are gorgeous areas within Jedediah Smith, the best spot to see the Redwoods is the Grove of Titans via the Mill Creek Trail.
Discovered in the late 1990s, the Grove of Titans includes 3 of the largest 10 coastal Redwood trees in the entire world, making it the tallest Redwoods grove to ever be discovered. The area is beyond magical with trees soaring so high you’re unable to see the top.
Want to find the tallest grove of Redwoods in the world? Find out how here!
Before heading into natural-protected areas, it’s imperative that you’re familiar with the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
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Such great photos! I will be sure to use when I visit California. Thanks for sharing ☺️
Definitely an underrated but must-stop spot in California! Hope you get to visit 🙂
Just driving along Howland Hill Road is almost a forest hike in itself. The 9 mile dirt road weaves right between giant redwood trees, and the sun slants through the trees if you visit late in the afternoon.