Northern California has it all. The ocean, the mountains, the trees... and speaking of trees, there's no where else on the planet that has Redwoods like ours. That's why everyone from this beautiful piece of the planet should experience the Redwoods firsthand in all their glory. If you only take one vacation in Northern California, this should be it. Read on to learn why.
We've all seen pictures of the magnificent redwoods, but those static images really don't do them justice. In order to really understand the awe-inspiring nature of the redwoods, you have to breath in the misty rainforest air, listen to the wind in the trees, and stand right next to one of these gentle giants.
There's no better place to do this than the Redwoods National and State Parks. This national park was established in 1968 and is lumped together with 3 state parks that were established earlier on.
These State Parks are Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, established on August 13, 1923; Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, established on October 26, 1925; and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, established on June 3, 1929.
There's a few quintessential redwood things to do when you are here that you and your family will remember for the rest of your lives. The first one is to spot a bright yellow banana slug, although we won't make you kiss it!
The second is to walk the forest floor and through a tree like this one. Even if you would never consider yourself a tree hugger, wrap your arms around one of these massive trunks just to get a feel for how large they are.
There are plenty of interpretive signs and road side attractions throughout the National Park. Take a moment to read through them. You are guaranteed to learn something new.
Other activities include guide led campfires and wilderness excursions. These are a great way to get even more insider's knowledge about the park itself from the people who live and work here.
The Redwoods boarder the coast, which means that the opportunities to explore aren't limited to the forest. Try fishing in the Pacific (after researching where and what permits are needed) or just strolling the beach.
For more ideas, there's always the helpful Park staff on hand to answer questions and give suggestions. We recommend stopping in at a visitor's center like this one early on in your trip.
We promise you won't get bored, though. There's plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for, like these Roosevelt Elk, which like to dwell in the Park.
And let's not even get started on the dramatic, variable, and jaw-dropping sunsets you can take in from all over the park.
When it comes to lodging, your only option if you want to stay with the National Park is to tent or RV camp. Waking up among the trees and starting off your adventure right off the bat is definitely a plus if you don't mind roughing it.
On the other hand, camping isn't for everyone. If you must spend the night under a real roof, we suggest the Historic Requa Inn, located at 451 Requa Rd in Klamath. If it's full or not your style of preferred lodging, you can also find several other hotels in towns bordering the park.
Wherever you lay your head for the night, however, you will be glad you came to this simply stunning piece of Northern California.
Just as apple pies and fireworks are to America in general, the Redwoods are to Northern California. You haven't lived until you have seen these beauties firsthand.
For more information on the Redwoods National and State Parks, be sure to visit their site by clicking here.
So are you ready to start planning your trip to the Redwoods? We hope you have a blast. If there is anything you love about this place that we forgot to mention, be sure to share it with us on Facebook!
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