The Essential Guide to California’s Avenue of the Giants

Growing up to hundreds of feet tall and dozens of feet across, with rich, golden-brown bark and dark green needles, there’s nothing quite as awe-inspiring as a California redwood. And while several must-see redwood groves dot Northern California, in my opinion, driving the Avenue of the Giants is the easiest way to get up close and personal with these magnificent trees.

Running parallel to Highway 101 in Humboldt-Redwoods State Park, the Avenue of the Giants is formally designated as State Route 254. But the nickname for this 31-mile stretch of two-lane asphalt tells you essentially everything you need to know—drivers who take this scenic route are going to see massive redwood trees, and lots of them.

“Driving the Avenue of the Giants is a unique and beautiful experience,” says Sophia Eckert, executive director of the Humboldt-Redwoods Interpretive Association. “As it winds through Humboldt-Redwoods State Park, you will encounter many spectacular groves of redwoods and hiking trail options. It also runs through several small towns that have food and accommodations.”

Even if you’ve seen California redwoods before, the Avenue of the Giants still has some surprises in store—after all, there’s a reason why it’s called the “finest forest drive in the world.” Like most visitors, I drove the Avenue of the Giants as part of a road trip to Humboldt-Redwoods and was instantly amazed by all the enormous trees lining the road. However, the route is also packed with one-of-a-kind spots that will give you a new appreciation for redwoods, from an “Eternal Tree House” to a drive-through tree, and so much more.

Here’s what you need to know before driving the Avenue of the Giants.

Best Time to Drive

Since Humboldt-Redwoods State Park lies within the Pacific temperate rainforest zone, the occasional downpour, shower, or heavy mist comes with the territory. For your best chances of dry, sunny days, you might think you should plan your Avenue of the Giants trip for summer. While the season does bring warm, comfortable weather, the natural tradeoff is much more crowds, so you might feel rushed as you drive and hike.

With that in mind, late spring and early fall offer much better opportunities for exploring the Avenue of the Giants at your own pace. (Or even winter, when I visited—I rarely encountered other cars along the road, and daytime temperatures were still comfortable). 

During spring, you’ll get to see lush, verdant greenery throughout the forest’s understory, and you can expect a slower, more relaxed visit. Sure, you might get caught in the rain or mist, but if you ask me, that just adds to the overall ambiance. Meanwhile, fall brings changing foliage, drier weather, and gorgeous, golden lighting perfect for photography.

Speaking of, early risers will usually get the best lighting to snap pics of the redwoods, with less competition for the prime photo spots. You’ll also have a good chance of spotting native Roosevelt elk while you drive.

Know Before You Go

Owing to its location in California’s temperate Northern Coast Range, the Avenue of the Giants is highly accessible all year round. Visitors can usually tackle the route at almost a moment’s notice, with only a little bit of pre-planning needed. Summer is a particularly popular time to visit since the road is dotted with swimming holes and several easy access points to the Eel River.

While temperatures are mild throughout the year, there’s still some variation between nighttime and daytime conditions, and the shady forest groves can be much cooler than in the sun. So, it’s not a bad idea to dress in layers. Don’t forget to bring hiking boots with good tread, since the forest is humid and the ground can be slippery even when it hasn’t been raining.

On that note, heavy rain is about the only time the Avenue of the Giants closes (beyond the occasional fallen tree blocking the road). In extremely wet conditions, the nearby Eel River can flood its banks all the way up to Avenue of the Giants. Though it’s a relatively uncommon occurrence, if you happen to visit during or shortly after a storm, you should check local conditions reports and call the state park service to make sure you won’t have to turn around.

You’ll want to do those safety and directions checks well before you get to Humboldt-Redwoods, too. As the Avenue of the Giants has spotty cell service, visitors should preload the route onto the maps app of their choice. However, I will say that the Avenue of the Giants is extremely easy to navigate and has ample signage, so you’ll likely be able to manage by just paying attention to the road.

Stops Along the Route

Most visitors choose to drive the Avenue of the Giants from south to north, although either direction is equally impressive and easy to coordinate. “At the north and south entrances to the Avenue of the Giants, you’ll find a map of the park along with an ‘Auto Tour’ brochure box, which gives helpful suggestions as you drive along the Avenue,” says Eckert.

Let’s say you’re driving south to north. You can pick and choose from the brochure’s suggestions as you see fit, but I’d recommend seeing the Shrine Drive-thru Tree first. Located at Myers Flat, just a few miles from the Avenue’s southern terminus, the trunk of the Shrine Tree has been carved out with a passage just big enough to squeeze the average small SUV through. Larger cars and trucks probably won’t fit, so if that’s you, you can walk through instead to get a new perspective on the redwoods.

Next, continue your trip to the front doors of the Humboldt-Redwoods Visitor Center. Roughly halfway through the Avenue of the Giants, the visitor center has fascinating exhibits on the forests around you. “The Humboldt-Redwoods State Park Visitor Center houses an impressive collection of displays showcasing the parks’ historical, cultural, and natural resources,” says Eckert. “In addition, you will find maps, trail information, a bookstore, and restrooms.” 

From the visitor’s center, drive another five miles north to get to Founders’ Grove, arguably the most impressive concentration of redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants. Visitors should get out of the car to stretch their legs here, since you can explore the whole grove from a short interpretive trail. “Founders Grove Nature Loop Trail is a half-mile, ADA-accessible trail that is part of the world-famous Rockefeller Forest, the largest old-growth contiguous coastal redwood forest on the planet,” says Eckert. 

Founders Grove encompasses dozens of redwood trees, perhaps the most impressive of which is no longer standing: the Dyerville Giant. This enormous downed tree once stood 362 feet tall, but even uprooted, the Dyerville Giant offers an up-close look at the sheer size that a redwood tree can achieve.

When you’re done taking photos with the Dyerville Giant and the other trees in Founders Grove, get back on the Avenue of the Giants for less than half a mile to reach the turnoff to Bull Creek Flats Road, which leads to the aptly named Big Trees Area. The Big Trees Area is no less impressive than the other groves along the Avenue of the Giants, and since it’s a few miles off the main route, you’ll have a decent chance at getting the grove all to yourself. A short walk into the woods will take you to the downed Flatiron Tree, which measures more than 17 feet across, and the Giant Tree, which measures 53 feet all the way around.

Before you finish your trip along the Avenue of the Giants, make a stop at the Eternal Tree House. This tree house goes down rather than up—a few steps will take you into a 20-foot room created by hollowing out the base of a still-living giant redwood stump. Hours vary at the accompanying gift shop and restaurant, but the tree house itself stays open 24/7. It’s the perfect spot to pull over and snag a few fun pics before you double back to explore more redwood groves or continue to small California towns like Fortuna and Ferndale.