Redwood National Park

A California redwood

The tallest trees in the world can be found in northern California. These are the redwoods that stand centuries old and majestic.

The redwoods are easily viewable as Highway 101 passes through the Redwood National and State Parks. For a more personal look, detour to one of the roads that parallels Highway 101. There are plenty of places to stop and soak in the majestic beauty of these ancient trees. Take time to hike through the forest or enjoy them at length by camping among them. We've also enjoyed stops at Trees of Mystery, which provides a fascinating walk through these gigantic trees.

Redwood National Park

The park has more than redwood trees that grow to 300 feet or more high. Sitka spruce and Douglas fir are other common trees, and don’t forget the 40 miles of coastline with the migrating sea lions and gray whales. Inland, you’ll likely come across Roosevelt elk grazing along the highway. Elk can’t read, however, or else they wouldn’t be congregating around a road sign that warned of an elk crossing two miles ahead; they’d be up the road like they were supposed to be. Black bears and bald eagles also can be seen occasionally.

Redwood National Park was established in 1968, though the state parks that make up the complex were established as early as the 1920s. The combined parks total 133,000 acres.