Redwood California

Altogether there are about 105,000 acres in the parks, most of the area covered with the giant redwoods. The western border of the parks includes about 38 miles of coastline, including picturesque beaches and many beach trails. There are five visitor centers in the parks, each including interpretive information about the area and its attractions. Altogether there are 164 miles of hiking trails, 51 miles of bike trails and 41 miles of horse trails.

We enjoyed the hike up to Trillium Falls, a walk that begins close to the Redwood Adventures Village. The Trillium Falls Trail covers 2.5 miles through ancestral forest and has one of the few falls in the parks. Be on the lookout for Fern Canyon with its 30-foot walls dripping wet and full of ferns.

Another nearby attraction is Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, where you can take a 10-mile scenic drive through the ancient redwoods. Along the way, you’ll see an opportunity to take a short 1/8 mile spur off the trail to Big Tree Wayside, well worth the diversion.

Also on the south end of the park is the Coastal Drive, which is an eight-mile somewhat primitive road that takes you to expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and then down into the redwoods at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Still another park highlight is Howland Hill Road and Stout Grove, where you can take a 10-mile scenic drive through old-growth redwoods and a half-mile walk through a river-bottom grove of these giant trees.

Redwood National and State Parks is located about 40 miles north of Eureka in northwestern California. The park areas begin along the coastline and visitors then drive deeper into the parks as they travel northward on Highway 101.

This combination of four parks offers some of the California’s most spectacular scenery. While the name implies it’s all about the giant redwood trees, the parks’ coastal areas are every bit as impressive. Beaches, jagged rocky coastline, even gray whales are among the highlights of the coastal areas of the park.

Year-round, although the weather along the coast can change quickly and be quite unpredictable. In winter, bring layers to bundle up – especially when you get out on the beach in a strong wind.

The redwoods are a California treasure and this is one of the best areas of the state to see them up-close. There is also a great area south of Eureka called Avenue of the Giants where there are several vantage points as you travel the old highway that runs parallel to Highway 101.

For more information on the Redwoods Park Lodge Company, phone 866-733-9637 or visit www.redwoodadventures.com. For more information on Redwoods National and State Parks, phone 707-464-6101 or visit www.nps.gov/redw.

If wine tasting is part of your California vacation plans, be sure to check out other California Weekend articles on Temecula, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma.