The Avenue of the Giants is a breathtaking 31-mile scenic drive right through the heart of a Coastal Redwood Forest. The Avenue of the Giants is literally only a few minutes off of Highway 101 and travels parallels to it for the entire 31 miles.
By simply taking the road less traveled, you will be giving yourself the opportunity to drive through epic groves of Coastal Redwoods with spectacular scenic views! You also get to explore the small towns in Humboldt County where people tried to make a living on these giant trees through either tourism or logging.
Avenue of the Giants - Humboldt Redwoods State Park
The Avenue of the Giants is located 200 miles and five hours from San Francisco and a short 32-miles, thirty-five-minute drive to the coastal town of Eureka, California.
The Avenue of the Giants is part of Humboldt Redwoods State Park which is home to the largest remaining stand of coastal Redwood Trees. You can start the auto tour from either the north or south entrance. The entire autoroute is 31 miles in length from Pepperwood, California to Phillipsville, California.
Taking this scenic drive feels like you have stepped back in time. You can step away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the quiet forests, small California towns, and historic gift shops like the one log house.
Don’t be surprised to see signs to see Big Foot, art galleries with everything and anything made out of Redwoods, small campgrounds, and more.
We were not sure what to expect as we started our California Big Trees road trip through the Avenue of the Giants. Having spent the prior day in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and exploring more of Redwoods National Park we were not sure how awe-inspiring it would be to travel along the Avenue of the Giants.
Let me be the first to tell you, it is epic! We started at the northern entrance to the Avenue of the Giants right off of highway 101. Maybe a few hundred yards from the highway and it felt like you entered a whole new world.
I kept looking at my wife asking why would anyone drive highway 101 when they can see this!!! You are truly surrounded by giant Coastal Redwoods. The speed limit is 55mph and I was so in awe that thankfully there were not a ton of people on the road because I don’t think I went over 30mph.
We kept pulling over at interpretive panels and all of the short hikes along the way to truly enjoy the beauty of Northern California.
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Highlights of the Avenue of Giants
Avenue of the Giants itself is the highlight to Humboldt Redwoods State Park! Listed below are the suggested stops on the auto tour along the Avenue of the Giants.
Drury-Chaney Grove
Stop 8 on the auto tour
The Drury Chaney Grove includes a 2.4 mile loop trail that is considered one of the nicest nature trails within Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The trail guides you along the Redwoods and a carpet of Redwoods Sorrel.
Chandler grove
Stop 7 on the auto tour
The Chandler grove gives you the opportunity to walk among mature Redwood trees and see all of the plants and animals they support. Make sure to look down at the forest floor to see salamanders, Banana Slugs, and more.
The Marbled Murrelt nests in the old growth limbs of the Coastal Redwoods. It is a rare seabird that spends a lot of their life out on the ocean.
Dyerville
Stop 6 on the auto tour
Dyerville was a stagecoach stop, a shipping port and a town that played an important role in the early settlement of Northern California and the redwoods area.
The town of Dyerville was completely destroyed by a flood in 1955.
Just west of Dyerville is Rockefeller Forest in the Bull Creek basin along Mattole Road. The Rockefeller Forest is considered one of the finest forests in the world.
John D. Rockefeller. Jr. was so in awe of the Redwoods he donated 1 million dollars to preserve them in 1927. He then donated an additional 1 million dollars in 1929.
Founders Grove
The Founders Grove Nature Trail - .5 mile easy hiking trail
The Founders Grove is just off of the Avenue of the Giants and well worth stopping in for a visit. There is an easy parking area, bathrooms with flush toilets, and picnic tables.
A short walk from the parking lot you can view the Founders Tree. This 346 foot tree is unbelievable.
Mahan Plaque
Stop 5 on the auto tour
The Mahan Plaque honors Laura and James Mahan who were instrumental in preserving the redwood forest you see here.
In 1924, Laura Mahan protested proposed logging by physically putting herself between the Redwood trees and the logging equipment.
James Mahan went to court to have the logging stopped. This delay provided Save the Redwoods League enough time to purchase and preserve this grove of Redwoods.
Weott
Stop 4 on the Auto Tour
Near this intersection there is a marker atop a 35 foot pole with indicates the high water level during the height of the 1964 Eel River Flood.
Visitor Center
Stop 3 on the Auto Tour
The visitor center is run by the Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association. Here you can ask questions about the Avenue of the Giants, purchase gifts, look at interpretive displays, and take a nature walk.
There is free Wi-Fi available at the visitor center. You can download the Discover Nature app and play an interactive scavenger hunt game. When you complete the scavenger hunt you can pick up a prize at the visitor center.
Don’t miss the tree truck in the visitor center. It is something you truly can’t believe until you see it.
The visitor center has a great display of brochures including other California State Parks in the area. The front desk was really helpful in answering questions about the area.
The visitor center is next to the Burlington Campground.
Bolling Grove
Stop 2 on the auto tour
The Bolling Grove was the first grove to be purchase by the Save the Redwoods League in 1920. The grove was named after the first high ranking U.S. Officer killed in WW1, Colonel Raynal Bolling.
F.K. Lane
Stop 1 on the Auto Tour
Did you know the greatest accumulation of biomass {Living and dead organic material} that has been found was recorded in a coast redwood forest within Humboldt Redwoods State Park?
Coast Redwoods are taller than any other living thing. They can live over 2,000 years and withstand many natural disasters.
Where can I find a Drive Through Redwood Tree?
There are two Drive Through Trees near the Avenue of the Giants and one more as you continue north near Redwood National Park
Shrine Drive-Thru Tree
The Shrine Drive-Thru Tree, Auto Park, and Gift Shop are located in Myers Flat along the Avenue of the Giants. Here you can not only drive through a tree, but you can also drive up on top of one too! It really gives you a perspective as to just how big these trees are.
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Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree
The Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree is located in Leggett, California approximately a half-hour south of the Avenue of the Giants back towards San Francisco on Highway 101 South. Here you can drive through a tree, stop into the gift shop, or enjoy a picnic on the lawn or picnic tables.
Travel Tips
Sunglasses – bring sunglasses you can easily take on and off. As you drive along the Avenue of the Giants you go from super bright sun to deep in the heart of the Redwood trees where little sun gets through.
Dress in Layers – The Coastal Redwoods are so tall that they block a lot of light from hitting the trails. It can be quite cool as you explore the trails.
Dogs – no dogs except service animals are allowed on any trails
Parking – park only in designated areas.
Additional California Parks
Make sure to continue North and explore Coastal Redwood Trees (Tallest Trees on Earth)
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Check out these parks to explore the Giant Sequoia Trees (Largest Trees on Earth by Volume)
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Yosemite National Park- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Kings Canyon National Park- General Grant Tree
Sequoia National Park- General Sherman Tree
Check out this epic West Coast RV Itinerary
Check out all of the National Parks in California along with neighboring National Parks in Arizona, Nevada National Parks, and National Parks in Oregon.
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