The world famous Avenue of the Giants scenic drive is by far one of the most amazing array of redwoods in Humboldt County. The Avenue of Giants gives you access to countless hiking trailheads, picnic areas, rivers and groves. If you want to window shop, pick up some mementos or buy picnic supplies, stop by one of the numerous small towns along the Avenue such as Pepperwood, Redcrest, Weott, Myers Flat (home to the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree), Miranda and Phillipsville.
Avenue of the Giants Scenic Drive
Avenue of the Giants Southern Entrance, Redwood Highway, Myers Flat (707) 946-2263
No food on-site. Bring a snack or picnic.
Restrooms available.
Approx. 2 hours to enjoy.
Weather is seasonal, and temperatures range from 55°F-85°F. We suggest wearing layers.
Lost Coast & Shelter Cove
Shelter Cove, CA 95589, USA
Shelter Cove boasts a picturesque beauty that only enhances as you journey deeper. From the rugged Lost Coast, relaxing tide pools, peaceful bike trails, to the surreal Black Sand Beach that only Humboldt County has to offer—there’s something for everyone to enjoy. After a whole day of exploring, enjoy delicious cuisine and freshly caught local seafood before retreating to serene lodging.
Avenue Of The Giants/Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Avenue of the Giants, Redcrest, CA
The Avenue of Giants gives you access to countless hiking trailheads, picnic areas, rivers and groves. If you want to window shop, pick up some mementos or buy picnic supplies, stop by one of the numerous small towns along the Avenue such as Pepperwood, Redcrest, Weott, Myers Flat (home to the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree), Miranda and Phillipsville.
Lost Coast Trail
Lost Coast Trail, Whitethorn, CA (707) 986-5400
Rolling mountains and windswept coastal bluffs come face-to-face with miles of narrow beaches and crashing waves. Seemingly a land forgotten, this scenic coastal playground provides an endless expanse perfect for wandering, soul-searching and other romantic pursuits. Located along the coastal bluffs south of the Eel River, a short drive just south of Eureka and six easy miles west of Ferndale sits some of the most beautiful and memorable beaches, grasslands and scattered patches of forest.
No food on-site. Bring a snack or picnic.
Restrooms available.
Approx. all day to enjoy.
Weather is seasonal, and temperatures range from 45°F-65°F. We suggest wearing layers.
Shrine Drive Thru Tree
13708 Avenue of the Giants, Myers Flat, CA 95554 (707) 943-1975
You know you’ve witnessed some of the largest trees on the planet when you find yourself driving your car through the very center of one. The Shrine Drive-Thru Tree (Myers Flat) allows you to return home again with photographs to prove you were not subject to ingesting some of the local forest mushrooms and did, indeed, pass directly through a living giant.
No food on-site. Bring a snack or picnic.
Restrooms available.
Approx. 1 hour to enjoy.
Weather is seasonal, and temperatures range from 60°F-85°F. We suggest wearing layers.
Benbow State Recreation Area
445 Lake Benbow Dr, Garberville, CA 95542
Benbow State Recreation Area is a state park unit of California in the United States. It is located in Humboldt County 2 miles south of Garberville on U.S. Route 101 on the South Fork Eel River.
Southern Humboldt
As children, we all heard the stories about distant magical lands where giants live. But unlike those stories, this is a true story. In Southern Humboldt County, real giants live ancient and towering high up into the clouds: the mighty old-growth redwoods.
Just a half-day north of San Francisco, right off Highway 101, you will find the Avenue of the Giants, a leisurely and winding drive where some of the most massive redwoods on the planet. Trailheads and side roads quietly beckon. Along the route, hop over to Pepperwood, Weott or Phillipsville for some picnic supply shopping. If you feel like driving through (not among, in this case) a redwood tree, visit the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree in Myers Flat. Be sure to stop by the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center, as well as the Founders’ Grove and the Rockefeller Forest to enjoy a moment of silence beneath the world’s largest stand of old-growth trees.
Don’t forget to check out Benbow, a quaint scenic valley with great lodging perched next to the scenic South Fork Eel River. Garberville, a perfect spring board to many of Humboldt’s greatest outdoor excursions. Lastly, you wouldn’t be doing your vacation justice without a memorable drive to the cozy little village of Shelter Cove with views of California’s famous Lost Coast. Shelter Cove is home to the unusual beaches covered in black sand, life-filled tidepools, and a level of relaxation you just can’t find anywhere else.
