Redwoods

Stretching north from San Francisco along the California coastline are some of the most magical organisms on earth: the mighty Sequoia, commonly known as redwood trees. Huge redwoods, some of which are more than 2,000 years old and rise up to a thousand metres or more above the forest floor, are the tallest trees on the planet. Redwood National Park (www.nps.gov/redw), which stretches for 80km almost to the Oregon state line, is a great place to explore these epic forests. Another outstanding redwood display is the Avenue of the Giants (avenueofthegiants.net), a world-famous scenic drive that parallels State Highway 101. Whether you are a so-called windshield tourist or a hearty hiker, there is no question that experiencing the redwood forest first-hand will produce memories of a lifetime. For additional lodging and travel logistics try the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce (www.eurekachamber.com) or the Humboldt County Visitor Burea (www.redwoodvisitor.org).