Redwoods National and State Parks ranks first on the list of best places to see redwoods in California. The tallest redwood trees in Northern California can be found in Redwoods National and State Parks, which are located north of San Francisco. Because it's at least a five-hour drive from San Francisco, this is an excellent spot for a weekend getaway. The Redwoods National Park and State Parks are a collection of parks located along 40 miles of rugged California coastline, just south of the Oregon border. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park are among these parks.

If you're looking for scenic redwood drives, this is another great spot to see the redwoods from the road. Howland Hill Road, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Cal-Barrel Road, and Davison Road are a few redwood drives near the parks. If you have limited time, don't miss the 0.5-mile Trillium Falls Trail, the 1.5-mile Lady Bird Johnson Loop Trail, the 1-mile Simpson-Reed Trail, or the 2.5-mile Prairie Creek Foothill Trail Loop. If you have a full day, the 12-mile James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon Loop is one of the most beautiful trails in the area and will provide you with a diverse view of the parks' natural beauty.

Google Rating: 4.9/5.0
Address: 1111 Second StreetCrescent City , CA 95531
Phone: 707 464-6101
Website: nps.gov/redw/index.htm

If you're willing to make the drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is one of the best places in California to see redwoods. The park is 55,000 acres in size, which is twice the size of San Francisco! This part of the California coast's damp weather and cooler temperatures are ideal for an old-growth forest of coastal redwoods. A third of the 77,000-acre Humboldt Redwoods State Park is made up of old-growth trees, and there are over 100 miles of hiking trails.

There have been ongoing conservation efforts to save the redwoods in this area since the early 1900s. As a result, this region has some of the state's densest redwood forests, as well as some of the best redwood-lined drives. If you want to see redwoods from the comfort of your car, this is the park to visit. It is home to California's most famous redwood drive, the Avenue of the Giants. Along the way, make sure to stop at Founder's Grove and the fallen Dyerville Giant, Williams Grove, Flatiron Tree, and Gould Grove.

Pick up an auto tour brochure at the Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center to ensure you don't miss out on the best parts of the Avenue of the Giants drive. The 0.6-mile Rockefeller Loop Trail, which takes you to the world's largest contiguous old-growth redwood forest, is a must-see along the drive. The 1.7-mile Drury-Chaney Loop, the 2.2-mile Johnson Prairie Trail, and the 10.5-mile Johnson Camp Trail are also popular hikes in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Google Rating: 4.9/5.0

Address: WEOTT, CA 95571, USA

Phone: (707) 946-2263

Website: humboldtredwoods.org

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is not far from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This is California's oldest state park, established in 1902 and located in the thick redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Big Basin State Park is a 1,800-acre park with 1,000 to 1,800-year-old redwood trees, ocean views, waterfalls, and a fascinating history as California's oldest state park. The "largest continuous strand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco" is one of Big Basin's most well-known claims to fame. And, with over 80 miles of trails, Big Basin offers a plethora of hiking opportunities.

The 4-mile Skyline to the Sea Trail is one of the most popular Big Basin hikes. The 0.6-mile Redwood Loop Trail, which is a good introduction to the park and features some of Big Basin's largest trees, is another must-see. The 10.5-mile Berry Creek Falls Trail, which features large coast redwoods, four waterfalls, and a 2,150-foot elevation change, is a more strenuous hike.

Google Rating: 4.8/5.0
Address: 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006, USA
Phone: (831) 338-8860
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=540

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park ranks 4th on the list of best places to see redwoods in California. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is one of California's most popular state parks with redwood trees. And redwood trees aren't the only thing to see at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Roaring Camp Railroad, which operates on a historic 1880s steam train, is also located in the park.

There is no other place in California where you can ride an open-air train and be surrounded by redwoods. It's a fantastic experience. With its scenic beauty and a 40-acre grove of 1,500-year-old redwood trees, this park inspired some of California's first redwood preservation efforts and was admired by John C. Fremont and President Theodore Roosevelt. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has 30 miles of hiking trails, over 100 campsites, a popular swimming hole called the Garden of Eden, and redwood trees that you can walk inside.

While you're there, don't miss the 0.8-mile Redwood Grove Loop Trail, which provides a good introduction to the area's history and allows you to enter the popular Fremont Tree. If you have more time, the 4-mile Cathedral Redwoods Trail is a good hike that includes a detour to Cable Car Beach. The 5-mile Observation Deck Trail, meanwhile, offers panoramic views and dense forests of second-growth redwoods, ponderosa pines, and Santa Cruz sandhills.

Google Rating: 4.8/5.0

Location: California, USA

Phone: +1 831-335-4598

Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=546

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is another popular place to see redwoods near San Francisco (and much less crowded than Muir Woods). Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is part of the East Bay Regional Parks District and is located in the East Bay, specifically in Oakland. The park was once the site of a massive logging operation in the 1880s, but it is now home to the East Bay's largest group of natural coastal redwoods. These are second-growth redwoods, which are only about 100 years old but are still lovely to walk through.

It's easier to enjoy a quiet walk through the redwoods and even some empty trails at Redwood Regional Park, especially if you go early in the day. The French Trail Loop, located on the park's 1,830-acre grounds, is a good place to start if you want to immerse yourself in the redwoods (6 miles).

Local tip: There’s usually free parking on Skyline Boulevard and Redwood Road, just don’t leave anything valuable in your car because there are sometimes break-ins. Otherwise, you can go for one of the paid parking areas, such as Roberts or Canyon Meadow.

Google Rating: 4.8/5.0

Address: 7867 Redwood Rd, Oakland, CA 94619, USA

Phone: +1 888-327-2757

Website: ebparks.org/parks/reinhardt-redwood

The park contains redwoods that range in age from 600 to 1,200 years old and grow up to 258 feet tall. Muir Woods is also just north of San Francisco and the closest place to fully immerse yourself in a redwood forest from the city. The downside of Muir Woods' proximity to the city is that it is always crowded. In fact, Muir Woods is the world's most popular redwood park, with over a million visitors each year. If you're looking for a solo and quiet walk among the towering redwoods, Muir Woods isn't the place to go. If you've never been to Muir Woods, you should go at least once.

And if you go to Muir Woods as soon as it opens, you can avoid most of the crowds while still enjoying a relatively quiet redwood forest. The park has a number of easy trails that wind through it. The Bohemian Grove Trail (2 miles) is a good place to start if you're looking for a quick hike. Other long-distance favorites include The Ben Johnson Trail (3.4 miles) and The Sun Trail (4.7 miles).

Google Rating: 4.8/5.0

Address: Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA

Phone: +1 415-561-2850

Website: nps.gov/muwo/index.htm

Portola Redwoods State Park is a 2800-acre park filled with redwood trees that is far enough away from the Bay Area to be quiet. This park is located in La Honda and has a vehicle fee of $10. Peter's Creek Grove, located in the park, is one of the quietest groves you'll ever come across. There are 18 miles of trails, creeks, ferns, waterfalls, and huckleberries tucked away among the redwoods. Take a relaxing break at the visitor center before leaving the park. Take a break at the visitor center, which has a fireplace and couches, and read the interpretive displays and diorama.

Walking through this lush state park, you'd never guess that San Jose and Silicon Valley's massive tech companies are only a short drive away. If you only have a day or two to spend in the California redwoods, Portola Redwoods State Park is a manageable park to hike through. With over 50 campsites, there are plenty of opportunities to pitch a tent at the park. Trails will mostly consist of shady redwood forests (some with 1,200-year-old trees), creeks, huckleberries, ferns, and even waterfalls.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: 9000 Portola State Park Rd, La Honda, CA 94020, USA
Phone: +1 650-948-9098
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=539

Butano State Park, established in 1957 to protect the redwoods from local logging operations, is just over an hour from San Francisco and another great place to walk through the redwoods. Butano State Park features old-growth redwoods nestled in a peaceful canyon, 40 miles of hiking trails, dozens of campsites, creeks, wetlands, and a variety of wildlife. Patches of oak woodland, wet riparian, and sunny chaparral ecosystems can be found throughout. Hikers may see woodpeckers, newts, and flowering calypso orchids among the park's diverse wildlife and plants in the spring.

The park, hidden among the redwoods, offers 21 drive-in campsites, 18 walk-in campsites, and an 8-site backcountry trail camp. The main campground has restrooms with running water. The park provides drinking water in both the main campground and the day-use areas. There will be no showers. The 3-mile Little Butano Creek Trail, which takes you into the heart of the redwoods, is the best place to start. If you have more time, the 5-mile Jackson Flats Loop and the 9.5-mile Canyon Loop offer plenty of redwood forest walks and scenic views.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0

Address: 1500 Cloverdale Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060, USA

Phone: +1 650-879-2040

Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536

Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Marin County, just north of San Francisco, is a lush gorge filled with hundreds of acres of redwood trees and easy to moderate hikes. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, you can take a walk through the old-growth forest along Lagunitas Creek and enjoy one of Marin's best views from the top of Barnabe Peak.

Start with the 3-mile South Creek Trail, which follows Lagunitas Creek, or the 2.7-mile Pioneer Tree Loop Trail, which leads to an old-growth redwood grove. Take the 7-mile Devil's Gulch Trail to the top of Barnabe Peak for a more difficult hike that includes a mix of redwoods and good views. Samuel P. Taylor State Park is an underappreciated gem that is made even more appealing by the fact that it is only an hour's drive from San Francisco and conveniently located in the Marin suburbs.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas, CA 94938, USA
Phone: +1 415-488-9897
Website: ebparks.org/parks/reinhardt-redwood