Northern California is the perfect place to get away from it all. Whether you’re getting some solitude among the stands of massive redwood trees, or you’re taking a peaceful walk along the misty shores of the aptly-named Lost Coast, a road trip here will have you feeling completely spellbound.
via Marine Way & State Route 1 & Highway 1
New rule: Stop and smell the redwoods. This 32-mile section of old Highway 101, lined with giant redwood groves, features lots of gorgeous areas where you can pull over and get a closer look at your surroundings or enjoy a picnic. Some of the best stops along the way are Founder’s Grove, with its fallen 362-foot Dyerville Giant, and the California Federation of Women’s Clubs Hearthstone, designed by famed architect Julia Morgan. The detour to Rockefeller Forest will bring you up close and personal with some of the largest trees in the area.
In the early 1900s, loggers came to what is now Humboldt Redwoods State Park to cut down the giant ancient redwoods for grape stakes and shingles. Today, Humboldt Redwoods span an area almost twice the size of San Francisco. About one third of the park is old-growth redwood forest—the largest expanse of ancient redwoods left on the planet.
The park has hiking for all levels of difficulty, and it’s also the best place to see redwoods by car in the North Coast region. Be sure to stop by the visitors’ center: It’s open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas, and provides lots of educational information about the park’s history and visitor outreach goals.
Staying right in the middle of the redwood beauty is the best way to fully immerse yourself in this special landscape. Disappear among the trees, even if its only for a day or two, and enjoy getting a little lost here.