Massive Must-Sees

See the Redwoods in Humboldt County

Humboldt redwood hiker

Jurassic Redwoods

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park has all the fixings for world-class hiking. Hit the trail starting from the visitor center and go on a 6-mile loop hike where mighty coastal redwoods surround you nearly the entire time. You simply can’t escape the redwoods here, and you won’t want to! These behemoth trees soak in sunshine and mist with equal enthusiasm, creating a magical setting.

Gold & Green

Take a hike at Gold Bluffs Beach, where a 1.5-mile wander leads to Fern Canyon, a 50-foot-tall gorge coated in seven kinds of ferns. This canyon is so dramatic that Steven Spielberg used it as a film location for Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World. Fifty-foot walls of bright green ferns hang like emerald silk, glistening in tiny waterfalls trickling into the canyon’s riverbed.

Groovy Grove

It’s easy to hop out of your car and hike among the giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The Avenue of the Giants goes through this park for nearly 32 miles, with multiple places to pull off for hikes and redwood grove explorations. Do not miss Founder’s Grove, where a 0.5-mile walk takes you around to some of the most impressive trees on earth, including the Dyerville Giant, a fallen behemoth that’s 362 feet in length and weighs about 1,000,000 pounds!

STAY: Set up base in charming Eureka, with their walkable downtowns and varieties of restaurants. There’s a huge range of lodging options all across Humboldt County, including lodges and cabins, B&Bs, hotels, and motels.

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  1. Muir Woods Night Tour

    Thousands of people flock to Muir Woods every year, yet only a few see it at night, when this beloved park is experienced in a whole new light. The Muir Woods Night Tour happens on the last Friday of every month through October.

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  2. Slide Ranch Marin

    Slide On Over

    Marin's Slide Ranch has a popular neighbor in the Muir Beach Overlook. But don’t overlook Slide! This open-to-the-public nonprofit organization sits on 134 acres of coastline and is filled with animals, Pacific scenery, and an adjacent hiking trail.

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  4. Hello, Sur!

    Big Sur is home to numerous fantastic beaches and coves, so which one do you choose? Go for the beach that's quintessential Big Sur (and dog-friendly!). Pfeiffer Beach in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Its signature lilac-colored sand is waiting for your feet!

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  1. Waterfall Hunter

    If you ask a local in Reno about one of the best hiking trails in town, odds are high they’ll point you to Hunter Creek Falls. It’s a year-round favorite, but it absolutely shines in spring, when desert peach wildflowers make a splash—and so does the marquee waterfall.

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  2. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

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  3. Bike the Coastal Trail to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay

    Ride and Seek

    Oceanside breezes, beautiful beaches, a car-free pathway for biking, and beer at the end: You’re on a roll! The San Mateo Coast was made for beach hopping and beer tasting … and it all goes down smooth as part of an 8-mile out-and-back bike ride.

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  4. Tamtastic Sunset

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