Few things are as awe-inspiring as the towering trunks of the California redwoods. These ancient giants are some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world — dating back around 240 million years. Known for their towering branches and massive red trunks, redwoods are an incredible part of our forest ecosystem. It’s well worth a visit to experience their greatness first-hand.
Get to Know: Redwoods Trees
How Large are California Redwoods?
Redwood trees are the largest trees in the world. While their height alone is a marvel, they’re also impressively large in diameter. They’re usually between 250 and 300 feet tall and up to 30 feet in diameter near the ground. That length is about equal to a mid-size school bus.
Where are Redwoods Found?
Though they once thrived throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, redwoods are now unique to coastal California and Oregon. Beginning in the southwestern corner of Oregon, they grow in a narrow 20-30 mile wide strip 150 miles down the coast to Big Sur, California. The combination of heavy summer fog and moderate temperatures allows redwoods to flourish in this region.
How Old are California Redwoods?
California redwoods have an average lifespan of 500–700 years, with many living 2,000 years or more. One of the oldest known living redwoods, called President, is about 3,200 years old.
Are sequoias the same as redwoods?
While sequoias and redwoods have a lot in common — and are often referred to interchangeably — they are distinct species of trees. California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) need the marine fog of the Northern California coast for growth. Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are native to the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, mostly between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. This habitat features the dry heat of the mountains that the sequoias need to survive.
Giant redwoods can live up to 2,000 years, and giant sequoias even longer, up to 3,000 years. The two species also have some distinct physical differences. Redwoods are taller than their cousins, with branches up to 5 feet in diameter and bark up to 12 inches thick. Sequoias have branches up to 8 feet in diameter and bark that grows up to 3 inches thick.
Ready to be awestruck by nature’s giants? We’ve rounded up the seven best places to see the majestic redwoods in California—spots where you can truly feel the magic of the forest.
1. Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument was established in 1908 when Congressman William Kent donated the land to protect the 150-year-old redwoods from logging. Just outside San Francisco, well-paved trails in the park’s Cathedral Grove are accessible and family-friendly. However, this popular destination requires parking and shuttle reservations, so make sure to book ahead.
2. Humboldt Redwoods State Park
A list of the best parks to visit redwoods wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Nestled in the state’s third-largest park, the Avenue is a 31-mile section of Highway 101 that takes you through an impressive 51,222 acres of redwood groves. Driving along this scenic route is an awe-inspiring experience, offering a profound connection to these ancient trees.
3. Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains offer a few different noteworthy options. Big Basin Redwoods State Park—founded in 1902—should be on your California redwoods itinerary. California’s oldest national park boasts 80 miles of trails with ocean views, waterfalls, and rich history. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park features a 40-acre grove of old-growth redwood trees, including one that’s 1,500 years old.
Better Place Forests’ Santa Cruz Memorial Forest is also home to towering coast redwoods. Memorial Trees. A Memorial Tree is an established, growing tree that serves as a resting place for cremated remains. Ashes are mixed with soil and spread at the base of the tree, becoming forever part of the forest. Talk to Guide about becoming part of a redwood forest nestled in the mountains.
4. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park sits just a few miles south of the Oregon border. Established as a designated UNESCO heritage site, the park remains one of the densest giant redwood forests. Seven percent of all the old-growth redwoods exist in this forest. If you’d like to immerse yourself in a forest with ancient trees, this park should be on your list.
5. Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Situated about 100 miles southwest of Sacramento, Calaveras Big Trees State Park is one of the most accessible places to see California redwoods. The park’s North Grove includes the “Discovery Tree,” a massive redwood stump that fell sometime in the 1850s. The story goes that it took 5 men and 22 days to count the rings of the trunk which led them to believe the tree had been 1300 years old. The park is accessible year-round with hundreds of miles of beautiful trails.
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
The Navarro River Redwoods is an unusual second-growth redwood park that’s pretty much just a narrow corridor of redwoods along Route 128. The lush, shady river valley makes a nice drive, but there aren’t any trails, just a few places where you can walk a few steps to the river. This is a great option for those who want to absorb the beauty of redwood trees, but may have mobility issues.
Nearby is Better Place Forests’ Point Arena Memorial Forest where you can become a part of a thriving coast redwood ecosystem. From small and mighty to legacy coast redwoods, this protected forest features magnificent trees with ocean views and mountain seclusion amidst 20 acres of protected forest. Explore Point Arena redwood trees online or book a tour.
7. Carbon Canyon Regional Park
If traveling up north isn’t an option for you, there are also redwoods in Southern California. Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Orange County features a 10-acre grove of coastal redwoods, the largest in the southern part of the state. The grove was planted in 1975, making these trees only a few decades old and much smaller than their Northern California counterparts. The 2.5 mile Carbon Canyon Nature Trail is home to 200 coastal California redwoods.
When to Visit the Redwood Forest?
The summer months are some of the best to visit the coastal California redwoods. Lower rainfall and higher average temperatures make it a great time of year for many of the incredible hikes offered within these forests and to experience the quiet beauty of redwood trees.
Grow Memories, Plant Peace
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