The Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile-long scenic drive through acres of breathtaking redwood groves located along an old highway that runs right next to Highway 101.
Although there are plenty of redwoods in the Bay Area (Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, Muir Woods National Monument in Marin, or the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains, just to name a few) I wanted to see redwoods outside of these major urban centers. Enter: the majestic Avenue of the Giants, about a four-hour drive north from our hometown in the Bay Area.
My husband and I planned to follow the length of the route over the course of five days with our two kids (one baby and one preschooler) in tow. Nothing feels more California to me than poppies, beaches, fog, and redwoods.
Here’s our suggested five-day itinerary for traveling to the Avenue of the Giants:
The lands that we traveled through are the stolen ancestral lands of many indigenous communities, such as the Pomo, Wiyot, and the Sinkyone people.
Before you go
- It takes about three to four hours to drive from the East Bay Area to Humboldt County, where these destinations are located.
- The Avenue of the Giants is 31 miles long and lined with outdoor fun. If you wish, book accommodations in advance somewhere along your route.
- Research open days and hours for the places you want to visit. Most activities are in small towns with limited open hours.
What we packed
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Stroller and/or baby carrier
- Cooler with snacks, lunch, and water
- Pack layers. Even in the summer, redwoods provide ample shade and fog to keep the area cool.
Known as the “gateway to the redwoods,” Willits, California is a great place to visit when venturing into the redwoods of Northern California. It’s a small town with a handful of shops and restaurants, about one hour from the beginning of the Avenue of the Giants.
Our favorite things to do in Willits:
- Ride the Skunk Train
- Hike and picnic in Ohl Redwood Grove Park
- Grab a beer at Northspur Brewing Co.
Read more about what to do, where to eat, and where to stay when visiting Willits on our blog here.
Cruise through the Avenue of the Giants
The Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile highway lined with tall redwood trees, trails, campsites, and tourist traps. All of these activities are family-friendly.
Some of our favorite things to do at the Avenue of the Giants are:
- Visit the Drive Thru Tree in Leggett
- Find the Albino Redwood in the Women’s Federation Grove
- Picnic and hike at the Richardson Grove State Park
- Hike and tree climb in the Founder’s Grove
Read our blog post for more details.
Shelter Cove is a 40-minute windy drive from the Avenue of the Giants. It is the access point to the Lost Coast Trail—something I’ve dreamed of doing—and lives up to its name: it is very very, well, sheltered!
Here’s what you should do if you go:
- Visit to the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse
- Grab a beer at Gyppos
- Play in the sand at the Black Sand Beach
Check out our blog post for more tips about a day-trip to Shelter Cove.
Visit Ferndale
At the northernmost point of the Avenue of the Giants you can visit a little town that feels like you’re taking a trip through time. The streets are lined with Victorian-style houses and buildings.
Ferndale is about a 1.5-hour drive from Leggett, the start of the Avenue of the Giants. Our favorite things to do in Ferndale:
- Walk down Main Street to see the playground, book stores, and museum
- Stop for a coffee or sandwich in a local cafe
- Try handmade chocolates at Sweetness and Light
Find out how to spend the perfect day in Ferndale with your little kids on our blog post.
Where to Stay
We rented an Airbnb in Miranda located near the south entrance to the Avenue of the Giants and made this our launching-off point to explore the redwoods.
This Airbnb was very family friendly and included toys, coloring books, and a beautiful deck. The location was safe, secluded, and just up the road from the Avenue of the Giants.
Oh, the redwoods. My goal for this trip was to spend time outdoors exploring nature with my littles and we did just that!
We had lots of picnics among the majestic giants, listening to the sounds of nature while sitting on fern-covered logs, watching as light shimmered in between the tree branches. It was so magical, even my toddler and baby seemed happier there.
Since my family and I traveled along the Avenue of the Giants in the winter, we did not notice many other travelers along the trails in the freezing cold with us. I hope this blog post will inspire more families like ours to give it a try.
If you do, please let us know in the comments below!
This post is part of a series of posts about visiting the Avenue of the Giants with kids. Continue the adventure with us here:
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
You might also enjoy
How to Spend a Day in Ferndale with your Kids – A Victorian Village on the Lost Coast
See The Willits Arch And More With Your Little Kids On Your Way To The Redwoods
See the Big Trees of the Avenue of the Giants with Kids
BBA’s Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Your Family to Paris, France
Go to Shelter Cove & Cape Mendocino Lighthouse with your Kids – the Gateway to the Lost Coast!
