Where to See Redwoods in California (7 TOP Spots)

California is known for many natural wonders, but one of the most magnificent is the Californian redwoods.

These trees are some of the largest and most impressive in the world, and you will never understand their sheer size until you are standing at the base of their mighty trunks.

Today, the redwoods only flourish in unique conditions, only found in coastal California and tiny corners of Oregon. So, where should you go to see the redwoods in California? We got you!

7 Best Spots to See Redwoods in California

Below are the best spots to see the redwoods in California, PLUS exactly what you should do in the area.

Most redwoods are found on a hike, but there’s usually a stunning coastal view or a beach nearby to chill on, too.

You can’t go wrong at these spots to see California’s most magnificent redwoods!

1. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Picture huge stands of redwoods, meadows full of majestic Roosevelt elk, wild beaches, and fern-filled canyons, and you have Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

With 75 miles of hiking trails, there is plenty to explore in this redwood-dense sanctuary that’s so incredibly prehistoric that the Jurassic Park movie was even filmed here.

Highlights:

• Revelation Trail—We loved this trail. It takes you past some huge redwoods on an easy, flat path.
• Foothills and Cathedral Trees Trail—This incredible loop takes you past some of the biggest and most impressive redwoods, including The Big Tree. Once you pass this gentle giant, the hike tends to be relatively uncrowded.

• Gold Bluffs Beach—This beach is a bit of a hidden gem that runs on a permit system over the summer. It is made up of gray sand, huge dunes, and crazy driftwood.
• Check out impressive trees—The park is full of impressive trees, but some stand out more than others, like the Big Tree Wayside, which is more than 1500 years old, and the Corkscrew Tree, which is four trees twisted around each other.
• High Bluff Overlook Picnic Area—Whether you have a view or not, is completely up to nature at this lofty picnic area.

2. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Jedediah Smith is probably the least developed than some of the other redwood parks, making it even more magical.

The forests here are so thick that the center of the park contains no roads or trails, but there is a small section that is easy to explore and one of the best places to see California redwoods.

Highlights:

• Stout Grove—The Stout Grove Trail is one of our favorites in the redwoods system; almost as soon as you set foot on the trail, you’ll enter the world of giants, with trees reaching staggering heights of 300 feet.
• Grove of Titans—Follow dirt paths and elevated walkways on this trail, giving you a unique perspective of some of the largest redwood trees known to exist, such as the huge Lost Monarch Tree and the Screaming Titans.

• Boy Scout Tree Trail—Head deep into the prehistoric forest on this trail with hugely impressive trees like the Boy Scout Tree; venture up onto hilltops and down into ravines with hidden waterfalls and gurgling streams.
• Society Hole—On hot summer days, there is nothing better than kayaking the Smith River from an easy put-in like Society Hole or enjoying a picnic next to the rushing waters.
• Howland Hill Road—Venture down Howland Hill Road for a drive like no other. Head down the dusty, single-lane track near the trees, and stop when a hike takes your fancy.

3. Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Avenue of The Giants

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is huge—around double the size of San Francisco—and around a third of it is made up of old-growth redwoods, the largest area of these ancient redwoods remaining on earth today.

One of the best places to see the redwoods in California and get up close to them is to drive the Avenue of Giants, where some of the best trees in the park are located.

Highlights:

• Avenue of Giants—If you only have a short time in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, you can see plenty of highlights along the Avenue of Giants Road, stopping at the numerous trailheads along this road packed with adventure.
• The Rockefeller Loop—The Rockefeller Grove is one of the most atmospheric in the park. It is thick and dark, away from the noise of the traffic.

• Founders Tree—For one of the most impressive trees in the park, head to the Founders Tree. It is one of the most iconic redwood trees in the world, said to be around 3000 years old, and the inspiration for the Save-the-Redwoods League.

4. Muir Woods National Monument

Sitting over the Golden Gate Bridge to the north of San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument is an escape to the great outdoors for many city dwellers and is a must-visit when it comes to where to see the redwoods in California.

The park is located on Mount Tamalpais, and the redwoods here are spectacular, reaching heights of 250 feet, which can be explored via twisted and thick forested trails!

Highlights:

• Main Trail—You can’t leave without walking the Main Trail, one of the best trails in Muir Woods. It heads from the visitor center into the midst of some of the park’s most impressive old growth.
• Venture into Mount Tamalpais—If you are a true hiking enthusiast, you can have a day of hiking near San Francisco at this state park!

• Take a guided tour—If you are fascinated by the park’s nature and geology, then a guided tour or check out some of its events could be a good choice.
• Stinson State Beach – Depart the darkness of the forest to enjoy the vast open expanse of sand that forms Stinson State Beach, which is also a surfing hotspot.

• Canopy View Trail—Escape the crowds on the Canopy View Trail, which starts by heading up a series of stairs. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful views and thick forests.

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READ MORE: 5 of The Best Hikes in Muir Woods + Top Tips on How to Get Here

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5. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Snuggled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this park is known for its 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods and the historical train that takes you through the forest to see them.

But Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park also has so much more than that, including a fern-lined river canyon, grasslands, and sandhills, all waiting to be explored!

Highlights:

• Redwood Grove Loop Trail—Take this popular hike to see some of the park’s oldest and most impressive redwoods, including the tallest and widest in circumference.
• Cowell Highlights Loop—This hike takes you to some of the best spots in the park, including a lofty observation deck and the perfect circle of redwoods that make up the Cathedral Redwoods.

• Step inside Fremont Tree—You can actually step inside a tree at Henry Cowell Redwoods. The Fremont Tree is huge, and there is room for all the family inside. Just don’t forget a flashlight.
• Take the Roaring Camp Railroad—It’s not often you can hop on board a steam train in the middle of the forest and either head to the coast or up to the top of Bear Mountain, but you can at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

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READ MORE: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

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6. Navarro River Redwoods State Park

Navarro River Redwoods is a long corridor of redwoods along Route 128. It makes for a wonderful, shady drive, with a few places to get out for a closer look at the towering trees and gushing river.

For many, it is one of the best places to see the California redwoods as part of a coastal road trip.

Highlights:

• Take a Drive—It sounds like a bit of a cop-out, but honestly, one of the best ways to experience the park is to drive through it straight down Route 128, where the redwoods create a tunnel above you.
• Mustard Gulch—Take a walk down the old logging road, which is wide and flat, for a nice, easy trail through the redwoods.

• Navarro River Redwoods State Park Beach—The state park is said to be a tunnel of redwoods leading to the sea, and at the end of that tunnel is a wild, driftwood-strewn beach that is perfect for a walk. 
• Navarro Point Preserve and Scenic Trail—This incredible trail takes you to a bluff overlooking the wild Pacific Ocean. Watch out for seals.
• Head out on a kayak—Take to the scenic Navarro River in a kayak for a very different way to see the redwoods.

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READ MORE: Navarro River Redwoods State Park: Redwoods With ZERO Crowds!

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7. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Sitting on the western slopes of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is the southernmost home of the giant redwoods.

It offers scenic walks, hiking, biking, beaching, waterfalls, and more.

Located along Highway 1, it is easy to reach, and thanks to the incredible views of the Pacific, Big Sur River Gorge, mountains, and cathedral-like redwoods, it is a very popular park.

Highlights:

• Redwood Deck—The best place to see redwoods in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is by following the River Path to the Redwood Deck, where the towering trees here are so thick that the sun struggles to reach the forest floor.
• Pfeiffer Beach—With crazy purple sand and a spectacular rock arch, Pfeiffer Beach is well worth the twisting, narrow drive to reach it.

• McWay Falls—McWay Falls is one of the most iconic sights along Big Sur. This beautiful waterfall cascades directly down onto the beach below at the end of a short hike.
• Partington Cove Trail—This steep trail leads down to the beautiful Partington Cove, where you can enjoy bubbling streams, tunnels, and viewpoints.

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RELATED: Things To Do in Big Sur: 16 Best Stops on a Big Sur Drive

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Final Thoughts on California’s Redwoods

The redwoods in California are truly something else! You’ll find them scattered all across the northern part of the state along the coast.

Take a road trip on the PCH and hunt down all the epic spots along the California coast to see the redwoods. If you want more, there are redwoods in Oregon, too!

We hope this helped you plan your trip to discover all the best spots to see the redwoods in California!

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