SearchRedwood Coast Frequently Asked Questions
How tall are the redwoods, really?
The coast redwoods can grow to over 360 feet tall. Imagine standing at the goal post on a football field. Now walk all the way to the other goal post. Now walk another 60 feet—that's how tall these trees can grow! The theoretical limit to the height of a redwood tree is 420 feet, though no trees standing today approach that lofty stature.
Where is the world's tallest redwood tree?
The claim of the world's tallest tree tends to bounce back and forth between several Redwood Coast parks, but currently the acknowledged record holder is in Redwood National Park in Humboldt County. This world champion tree is more than 379 feet tall, almost six stories taller than the Statue of Liberty. Redwood National Park, and nearby Humboldt Redwoods State Park, are home to virtually all of the twenty tallest trees in the world!
How long is the drive to Humboldt County?
Most folks choose to visit the Redwood Coast by car (though we do have a great little airport with flights to San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Portland). But as they say, it's not just the destination, it's the journey. The incredibly scenic drive over Highway 299 from Redding—following the Trinity River for much of the way—takes two and one-half hours. Coming down from Grants Pass, Oregon along Highway 199 is three or four hours. If you're coming from Sacramento or the Bay Area, count on five or more hours to reach Eureka along Highway 101. It all depends…are you going to stop and visit a winery or sightsee on the Avenue of the Giants? If it seems like a long way, don't worry—it's worth it.
Where can I swim on the Redwood Coast?
Northern California beaches are not the same as Southern California ones. We absolutely do not recommend swimming, body surfing or even wading in the ocean at any time of the year. When walking near the surf, do not ever turn your back to the water as random “sneaker waves” have been known to drag people out to sea. Equal caution should be exercised in local rivers, which can have unexpectedly strong and deep currents. A personal flotation device (life jacket) is always a good idea. Are you scared yet? Good! Now here's where you can swim safely: Big Lagoon and Stone Lagoon, on the lagoon sides of the beach; Freshwater County Park and Benbow Lake State Recreation Area (summers only); the Little River at Moonstone Beach (pay attention to the tide); Swimmer's Delight at Van Duzen County Park; shallow, low-flow areas of the Eel, Mad and Trinity Rivers, and Arcata Community Pool. One exception to our no-ocean rule is College Cove at Trinidad State Beach, where just as everywhere else, you need to assess the conditions and use your common sense.
Can I really drive through a redwood tree?
Yes you can! There are three "Drive-Through" Trees located on the North Coast. All are privately owned and a fee is charged to drive through. The closest one to Humboldt Redwoods State Park is the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree in Myers Flat, four miles south of the park visitor's center.
- Chandelier Tree: Leggett, South of Humboldt Redwoods State Park. (On Drive-Thru Tree Rd. in Drive-Thru Tree Park) Follow the signs on Highway 101. 707-925-6363.
- Shrine Drive-Thru Tree and Drive-Over Tree: Myers Flat (Take the Myers Flat exit from Highway 101) Drive your car through a redwood tree or over a fallen redwood log. The kids will like our two 2-story tree houses and the children's walk-through stump. Visit the redwood gift shop and enjoy ice cream along side the drive-thru tree. Gift shop 707 943 1658.
- Klamath Tour-Thru Tree: Klamath. (Terwer Valley exit from Highway 101) Located North of Klamath Bridge. 707-482-5971.
Isn't it always raining AND foggy in Humboldt County?
No, it just seems that way. There's no question that the Redwood Coast enjoys a cool and moist climate—otherwise the redwoods would not grow! But the weather is seldom a barrier to outdoor recreation. Rainfall varies from about 38 inches a year in Eureka on the coast, to over 100 inches on the Lost Coast. Most of our rain falls between the months of November and April, with summer and fall typically fine and dry. Coastal fog may develop during summer months, usually burning off by mid-day.
Can I collect driftwood, shells, and Pebbles on Redwood Coast beaches?
Well…you shouldn't fill up a wheelbarrow, but feel free to keep small pieces of wood and stone that catch your eye. Agate Beach, located between Patrick's Point State Park and Big Lagoon County Park and accessible from each, is especially popular with rock hounds, who spend hours searching for semi-precious agates, jade and moonstones. You may also pick berries for your own consumption (salmonberries and thimbleberries in early summer, blackberries in early fall). Otherwise, please don't pick or harvest any plants in the Redwood Coast parks.
Where can I camp on the beach?
The Redwood Coast offers several camping opportunities a stone's throw from the surf. Try Clam Beach County Park and Gold Bluff Beach within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. If you like to rough it, try the Coastal Trail, also in Prairie Creek, the Dry Lagoon environmental camp, or the coastal wilderness of the Lost Coast in the King Range National Conservation Area. At Big Lagoon County Park there's camping right on the lagoon and you can jump straight from your tent or RV into your canoe or kayak.
Cape Mendocino and the Tour of the Unknown Coast.
Take the Wildcat Road in Ferndale to Cape Mendocino, Petrolia, Honeydew and then to Rockefeller Forest and back to Highway 101. This area is known as the Lost Coast because of its remoteness. This 100-mile loop drive takes about six hours and is beautiful, passing through some of the prettiest back country in Humboldt county, with beautiful views of rivers, the ocean and mountains. Many car commercials are filmed in this area. The road is narrow and winding in places (not recommended for RV's) so take a picnic lunch and make a day of it.
Capetown is a tiny settlement about 45 minutes from Ferndale. Further south, Cape Mendocino is the western-most point in the continental United States, and offers breath-taking ocean vistas. During the winter, ocean waves may wash onto the road.
Lighthouse Road near Petrolia offers a four-mile-hike south along the beach to the lighthouse. Petrolia was named that because the first oil well in California was drilled there. East of Petrolia is A.W. Way County Park, with picnic tables, restroom and river access.
After passing through Honeydew, travelers will climb Rainbow Ridge, nearly a half-mile high, and pass through Panther Gap before dropping back down into the Rockefeller Forest, over ten thousand acres of the largest virgin redwood forest in the world. Take a short hike to the "Flat Iron Tree".