How tall are the redwoods, really?
Where is the world's tallest redwood tree?
Can I really drive through a redwood tree?
How long is the drive to Humboldt County?
Where should I stay? Where should I eat?
Where can I go swimming on the Redwood Coast?
Where's that place where they feed you like lumberjacks?
Isn't it always raining/foggy in Humboldt County?
Can I collect driftwood, shells and pebbles on Redwood Coast beaches?
Why is gas so expensive up there?
Where can I camp on the beach?
Can I go inside the Carson Mansion?
Where did they film (insert movie title)?

How tall are the redwoods, really?
The coast redwoods can grow to over 360 feet tall. Imagine standing at the goal post on a football field. Now walk all the way to the other goal post. Now walk another 60 feet—that's how tall these trees can grow! The theoretical limit to the height of a redwood tree is 420 feet, though no trees standing today approach that lofty stature.

Where is the world's tallest redwood tree?
The claim of the world's tallest tree tends to bounce back and forth between several Redwood Coast parks, but currently the acknowledged record holder is in Redwood National Park in Humboldt County. This world champion tree is more than 379 feet tall, almost six stories tallers than the Statue of Liberty . Redwood National Park , and nearby Humboldt Redwoods State Park , are home to virtually  all of the twenty tallest trees in the world!

Can I really drive through a redwood tree?
Yes you can! There are three drive-through trees on the Redwood Coast:
•  The Chandelier Tree in Leggett (Highway 101, south of the Humboldt County border
•  The Shrine Drive-Thru Tree in Myers Flat, on the Avenue of the Giants
•  The Klamath Tour-Thru Tree (Highway 101, north of the Humboldt County border)

How long is the drive to Humboldt County?
Most folks choose to visit the Redwood Coast by car (though we do have a great little airport with flights to San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Portland). But as they say, it's not just the destination, it's the journey. The incredibly scenic drive over Highway 299 from Redding—following the Trinity River for much of the way—takes two and one-half hours. Coming down from Grants Pass, Oregon along Highway 199 is three or four hours. If you're coming from Sacramento or the Bay Area, count on five or more hours to reach Eureka along Highway 101. It all depends…are you going to stop and visit a winery or sightsee on the Avenue of the Giants? If it seems like a long way, don't worry—it's worth it.

Where should I stay? Where should I eat?
The Redwood Coast offers numerous lodging and dining choices to fit every taste and budget. Search Lodging Choices and Wine & Dine on this site for complete information. You may also send for our free Redwood Coast Lodging & Dining Guide. (link to Send for Information section).

Where can I go swimming on the Redwood Coast?
Northern California beaches are not the same as Southern California ones. We absolutely do not recommend swimming, body surfing or even wading in the ocean at any time of the year. When walking near the surf, do not ever turn your back to the water as random “sneaker waves” have been known to drag people out to sea. Equal caution should be exercised in local rivers, which can have unexpectedly strong and deep currents. A personal flotation device (life jacket) is always a good idea. Are you scared yet? Good! Now here's where you can swim safely: Big Lagoon and Stone Lagoon, on the lagoon sides of the beach; Freshwater County Park and Benbow Lake State Recreation Area (summers only); the Little River at Moonstone Beach (pay attention to the tide); Swimmer's Delight at Van Duzen County Park; shallow, low-flow areas of the Eel, Mad and Trinity Rivers, and Arcata Community Pool. One exception to our no-ocean rule is College Cove at Trinidad State Beach, where just as everywhere else, you need to assess the conditions and use your common sense.

Where's that place where they feed you like lumberjacks?
You're thinking of the Samoa Cookhouse (take Highway 255 West from Eureka, over the Samoa Bridge, turn left and follow signs). For over 100 years, the Cookhouse has been serving up steaming platters of home-cooked food—first to ravenous lumber mill workers, then to a hungry public. The fixed menu changes daily, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served family style on long communal tables. (Call 707-442-1659).

Isn't it always raining/foggy in Humboldt County?
No, it just seems that way. There's no question that the Redwood Coast enjoys a cool and moist climate—otherwise the redwoods would not grow! But the weather is seldom a barrier to outdoor recreation. Rainfall varies from about 38 inches a year in Eureka on the coast, to over 100 inches on the Lost Coast. Most of our rain falls between the months of November and April, with summer and fall typically fine and dry. Coastal fog may develop during summer months, usually burning off by mid-day.

Can I collect driftwood, shells and pebbles on Redwood Coast beaches?
Well…you shouldn't fill up a wheelbarrow, but feel free to keep small pieces of wood and stone that catch your eye. Agate Beach, located between Patricks Point State Park and Big Lagoon County Park and accessible from each, is especially popular with rock hounds, who spend hours searching for semi-precious agates, jade and moonstones. You may also pick berries for your own consumption (salmonberries and thimbleberries in early summer, blackberries in early fall). Otherwise, please don't pick or harvest any plants in the Redwood Coast parks.

Why is gas so expensive up there?
Like many small, isolated rural areas, the Redwood Coast does have lower volume and higher costs to bring in fuel, and our gas prices have almost always exceeded the national average. On the other hand, our accommodations, restaurants, attractions and retail shops tend to be much less expensive than in cities and popular tourist locations. You may pay a little more for gas but you'll pay much less for everything else!

Where can I camp on the beach?
The Redwood Coast offers several camping opportunities a stone's throw from the surf. Try Clam Beach County Park and Gold Bluff Beach within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. If you like to rough it, try the Coastal Trail, also in Prairie Creek, the Dry Lagoon environmental camp, or the coastal wilderness of the Lost Coast in the King Range National Conservation Area. At Big Lagoon County Park there's camping right on the lagoon and you can jump straight from your tent or RV into your canoe or kayak.

Can I go inside the Carson Mansion?
Unfortunately, no. The world-famous Carson Mansion, often called America's most photographed Victorian, is owned by a private club that exists primarily to restore and maintain this incredible architectural gem. It would be counter-productive to their mission to have thousands of people tromping through the house! However, visitors are welcome to view the mansion and take photos from the sidewalk.

Where did they film (insert movie title)?
The Redwood Coast has a long association with Hollywood going back to the era of silent movies. But in more recent years, a number of high profile film projects have used our locations. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park was transformed into the forest moon of Endor in George Lucas' Star Wars saga, Return of the Jedi . The Victorian Village of Ferndale has starred in two major motion pictures, Outbreak starring Dustin Hoffman and Morgan Freeman, and The Majestic starring Jim Carrey. And Steven Spielberg chose numerous Redwood Coast locations to portray a dinosaur-infested island in Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World . Patrick's Point State Park was the setting where a motorhome gets pushed over a cliff; Fern Canyon was where a character gets pursued and devoured by a pack of little Compsygnathus dinosaurs, and private land in Fieldbrook hosted the famous “Dinosaur Round-Up.”