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.
Benbow
Benbow, CA, USA
Moments after leaving the threshold of the redwood forest (Richardson Grove State Park), Highway 101 transports you to the spectacular Benbow Valley. The Benbow Inn has managed to preserve its 19th century Tudor architecture along with 1,200 acres of pristine forest. During the day the Benbow State Recreation Area offers satisfying picnic areas by the river, guided nature walk, and over nine miles of hiking trails cover this peaceful area.
Food available on-site.
Restrooms available.
Approx. 2 hours to enjoy.
Weather is seasonal, and temperatures range from 45°F-80°F. We suggest wearing layers.
Shelter Cove
Shelter Cove, CA 95589, USA
Shelter Cove holds a picturesque beauty that only enhances as you journey deeper. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from the rugged Lost Coast, relaxing tide pools, peaceful bike trails, to the surreal Black Sand Beach that only Humboldt has to offer. After a whole day of exploring, enjoy delicious cuisine and freshly caught local seafood before resting in lodging that can accommodate your every need.
Restrooms available.
Food available on-site.
Approx. 2 hours to enjoy.
Weather is seasonal, and temperatures range from 55°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 and Drive-Over 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.
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, you might want to stop in Pepperwood, Weott, or Phillipsville for some picnic supply shopping. If you feel like driving through a real redwood, visit the Shrine Drive Thru Tree in Myers Flatt. 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 strand 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. Or 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 the famous Lost Coast of California. 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. It’s no wonder they call it the Lost Coast.
- Avenue Of The Giants
