Avenue of the Giants, California

With all the talk of Giant Redwoods in California, you might just be wondering what its all about. There are three species of Giant Redwood trees in the world, and two of these are located in California. The coastal Redwood is what you will find at the Avenue of the Giants and the other parks that have Redwoods in them, like Humboldt Redwood State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods Park, and the Redwood National Park.

The Sequoia National Park is where the first Giant Sequoia were found, but the Coastal Redwoods actually grow taller than the Sequoia Trees inland. The old growth Redwood Trees on the coast are 200 years old and grow to over three hundred feet in height. The famous Avenue of the Giants is a scenic drive that California is known for, and is a thirty-one mile drive through the Humboldt Redwoods State Parks.

While the Sequoia National Park is no less impressive than the coastal redwood trees, it is an entirely different experience. In fact, there are miles of Redwood forests that you can include on your drive through the Avenue of the Giants. The Avenue of the Giants meanders alongside Highway 101 through the Humboldt Redwood State Park, following an overall similar route but varying slightly. There are clearly marked signs directing you to the highway where you can drive through an ancient grove of giant Redwood Trees.

Tourists come every year to drive along this scenic highway to see the main attraction, which is the Giant Sequoia. There are a few different trees that are known for their own unique features. You will be amazed that some of these trees have continued to grow despite all that they've been through.

The Chimney Tree stands at 78 feet, and is not impressive in size but you will be amazed that it is still growing after being nearly destroyed in a wildfire in 1914. It is close to Hobbiton, which gets a lot of visitors as well who are going to the Redwood National Park and other places with giant Sequoia trees in the area. This is in Phillipsville, along with the One Log House, which is a log house which up of a 40-ton log from a fallen Redwood tree. Most visitors know about the Shrine Drive through tree, which can accommodate smaller vehicles. The Immortal Tree still stands near Redcrest, having endured flooding, fires, numerous lightning strikes and cruel loggers axe cuts.

Although the official tallest Sequoia Trees has changed over the year, the latest and the tallest can be found in the Founders Grove, which is named after the founders of the Save-the-redwoods league, who lobbied to protect the forest and these ancient trees. Here you can find what used to be the biggest Giant Sequoia tree, the Dyerville Giant. This giant Redwood fell to the ground on March 24, 1991, and lost it reputation as the largest of the Redwood trees.

The Avenue of the Giants is an awe-inspiring 31-mile drive through Humboldt Country and the fog shrouded, mystical beauty of the Northern California wilderness. The small towns you'll find the way welcome tourists who come to see the Giant Sequoia grove, which is protected as an International Biosphere reserve and a world heritage site. Visitors stop in Phillipsville, just south of the Giant Redwood trees for supplies and restaurants, take a dip in the river, or to stay in the motel for the night.

One of the most unforgettable parts of a California vacation is seeing these 2,000 year old giants who tower majestically over the misty woods of California, and can be found from the prairies and the rivers to the 37 miles of pristine Northern California Coast, where you can find the Redwood National Park.