Avenue of the Giants
Located on Hwy 101 between Garberville and Fortuna is a 31 mile stretch of forest unlike any in the world. Known as the Avenue of the Giants, this grove of giant redwood trees covers more than 51,222 acres of land, with trees reaching as high as 370 feet in the air. Within the boundaries of this ancient grove are tourist centers explaining the history of the redwood trees, motels, campgrounds and RV parks for lodging, restaurants, hiking trails, shops and more. You can also enjoy winetastings at three local wineries and explore their beautiful gardens.
But the main goal should be to tour the redwoods by hiking on one of the many trails or driving your car through the base of one of the largest trees in the forest.
Avenue of the Giants
avenueofthegiants.net/
Moaning Cavern Park
Explore one of the largest caverns in California with a massive vertical chamber that descends more than 165 feet below ground level. The interior is so big that the Statue of Liberty could be stood up at the bottom and there would still be room inside.
Ancient Moaning Cavern Park, just east of Angels Camp, offers daily tours in which visitors descend 234 steps---or rappel down---into the center of the cavern. All equipment is provided on this 45-minute tour. If you are really into exploring, take part in a three-hour adventure trip that will allow you to delve deeper into the chambers and passageways of the cavern and learn about the mineral deposits and features that have developed inside this amazing natural formation.
Moaning Cavern Park
5350 Moaning Cave Road
Vallecito, CA 95251
(866) 762-2837
caverntours.com/MoCavRt.htm
Muir Woods National Monument
North of San Francisco in Marin County is a forest dedicated to naturalist John Muir. Located 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge on Highway 101, Muir Woods National Monument contains more than 75,000 acres of old-growth redwood trees and local wildlife. Dedicated in 1908 as a national park by President Theodore Roosevelt, Muir Woods is an intimate little space set between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, with more than six miles of hiking trails and multitudes of interesting plants winding through the forest. To preserve its unspoiled, natural beauty, bicycles, camping and picnicking are not allowed in the park, but there are many places to stay just outside of Muir Woods.
Muir Woods National Park
Mill Valley, California 94941
(415) 388-2596
nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
