Northern California has more than its fair share of beauty, and the mammoth redwoods often take center stage. Walking among the tallest trees on earth is a treat, but what about climbing one? Driving through one? Or visiting gnarly ones that resemble candelabras? The good news is, you really can’t go wrong.
Scale a giant
In the Santa Cruz Mountains, you can do something most humans never attempt: climb to the crown of Grandfather, a redwood tree estimated to be between 600 and 1,000 years old. It’s likely that more people have summited Mount Everest than have climbed to the top of an old-growth redwood tree.
How exactly does one climb a redwood? By planning ahead. Every March, Tree Climbing Planet offers this excursion to a limited number of people. This particular grove of redwoods, located on private property near Los Gatos, is said to be the only place on the planet to legally climb a redwood. Tree Climbing Planet is the exclusive outfitter that provides this unique experience.
At the crown of Grandfather, approximately 180 feet high, your arboreal dreams come true. From the treetop, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Capitola, and the Monterey Peninsula. Keep your eyes peeled for passing whales. This experience is made possible by Tim Kovar, the mastermind behind this climb, who aims to connect people with nature and inspire them to care for our forests.
Top tips:
If you prefer to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground, here are other epic ways to connect with redwoods:
Drive through a redwood
The winding two-lane road, known as Avenue of the Giants, has been around since the era of stagecoaches. This scenic route spans approximately 30 miles of old-growth redwoods, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking views from the comfort of your car, plus a tree you can actually drive through.
One notable standout, known as the Christmas Tree, baffles scientists. It’s one of only a few albino redwoods in the world. These unique trees lack chlorophyll and look as though they have been sprayed with white paint. While it’s acceptable to visit this specimen, located in the Women’s Federation Grove, the locations of others are kept secret to ensure their protection.
Top tip: The trails along the Eel River across from Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center provide a lovely opportunity to stretch your legs.
Hike with seriously twisted trees
Along Mendocino County’s Lost Coast Trail is an 11-acre grove known as the Enchanted Forest. This coastline is home to redwoods unlike any others. Their massive, gnarled limbs have been distorted by salty air, fire, and coastal winds, creating a forest of candelabra-like trees. Rather than growing straight up, these trees sport reiterated trunks that resemble branches just feet from the ground, extending erratically towards the sky.
Traverse the Peter Douglas Trail to the remote Shady Dell forest to witness these intriguing formations. Keep a lookout for spotted owls, bats, and red tree voles, as these contorted giants provide an excellent habitat.
Watch wildlife among the ancients
At Redwood National Park, a cluster of several parks, you’ll find 40,000 acres of ancient forest to explore. Elk Meadows Cabins, the only lodging within the park, serves as an ideal home base. Consider an interpretive tour with Redwoods Adventures for a deeper understanding of this unique ecosystem.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, located within the national park, features many impressive redwoods, including one magnificent specimen with 220 separate trunks. Above, you may encounter the Humboldt Flying Squirrel, and below, bright yellow banana slugs and salamanders. At Elk Prairie, there’s a good chance of spotting elk year-round.
Above the black-sand beaches and steep cliffs at High Bluff Overlook, it’s common to see gray whales. At Klamath Beach, massive rocks and driftwood create stunning vistas. Kids will be entertained for hours at False Klamath Cove, searching for sea stars, urchins, and anemones in the tide pools.
Soak in a cedar bath (yeah, it’s a thing)
When it’s time for a breather, The Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, located in the tranquil town of Freestone, offers a cedar enzyme bath where guests can lounge in a fermenting mixture of ground cedar and rice bran. This unique experience is said to stimulate metabolic activity and improve circulation. Following your rejuvenating treatment, consider more forest therapy at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Highlights include the Colonel Armstrong Tree, roughly 1,400 years old, and the Parson Jones Tree, the tallest in the grove at over 310 feet. In the evening, relax at Boon Hotel & Spa, a trendy inn with redwoods on the property, followed by a delightful meal featuring brussel sprouts, polenta lasagna, and truffle fries at boon eat + drink on Main Street.
Discover the dreamiest views
Mild temperatures combined with winter drizzles and fog make the Santa Cruz Mountains an ideal habitat for redwoods. Specifically, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, where waterfalls and towering trees reign supreme. Walk along the flat 8-mile Redwood Grove Loop Trail or snag a bird’s-eye view from the 805-foot-high observation deck on the Cowell Highlights Loop. Secure some delicious provisions at Boulder Creek Roadside Cafe and take your time enjoying the scenery. Remember, the Huckleberry Campground is open year-round.
Cruise through on a speeder bike
Just kidding, you can’t really do that, but you can meander through the cathedral-like groves in Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. This impressive yet off-the-beaten-path grove is worth exploring for Star Wars fans since Cheatam Grove is rumored to be the location where the famous Return of the Jedi speeder bike chase scene was filmed. The added bonus? You won’t find hordes of tourists here. Cool off with a refreshing dip in the Van Duzen River. When hunger strikes, head to Fortuna, about 20 miles west. Eel River Brewing Company, the first organic microbrewery in the nation, serves award-winning beers and Humboldt grass-fed beef burgers.
Pro tip
Consider the America The Beautiful pass for your redwoods road trip. This pass covers entrance fees for a driver and all passengers at parks that charge per vehicle and accommodates up to four adults at sites that charge by headcount.
Redwoods dos and don’ts
Always follow designated trails. Going off-trail can damage these fragile ecosystems.
These unique forest communities support life not found anywhere else on the planet and effectively soak up carbon dioxide, outperforming other forest ecosystems. To contribute to the conservation of the redwoods, visit Save the Redwoods League.
Sarah Sekula traveled to California with support from Visit California. iBestTravel contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.
