The Giants of Northern California - My Visit to the California Redwoods

If you're in San Francisco, and you don't mind exploring the state of California a little bit, plan a visit a few hundred miles north on Highway 101, to see the famous California Redwoods.

Breathtaking views of over 300 ft plus giant trees, with trunks that span large enough for cars to drive-thru, to build houses and campers out of. One of the largest of these trees has been recorded at 370 ft tall. These trees truly appear to have no end when looking up at them from their hugh trunks.

A 31 mile stretch of road runs along side Highway 101, called "The Avenue of Giants" where you can drive-thru some of the thickest Redwood groves, drive-thru Redwoods in your car, and shop in tiny rustic towns.

This would be an awesome trip for motorcyclist, bikers, day-trippers, as well as even runners. I'm sure you could even boat in lakes, and kayak the rivers. A definite campers, fishermans, and outdoors-mans' paradise.

Along the drive up Highway 101, you will drive thru bustling suburbs, and eventually sleepy little mountain towns. You could even drive not to far off the beaten to the Pacific Ocean, it's so close.

As we were driving from Washington State down into California, we happened to come across an attraction that left us all saying we gotta stop and look. It was another Giant we weren't quite expecting, that we found along the way.

Paul Bunyan and Babe, his Blue Ox. Paul standing tall with his axe, sporting his lumberjack flannel shirt and logging boots.

The stop provided a convienent bathroom break, and a nice little gift-shop on site, with many redwood gifts, as well as some history on display based on the people and geography of the area.

Greeted as you walk up the parking lot, a worker is talking for Paul Bunyan on a PA system, saying Hi, to all the little kids who seems to crawl all over and around this road-side attraction. I believe it even had a sky-ride that you could take an aerial view of a Redwood grove if the giftshop isn't thrilling enough for you. Great stop for a family with kids.