Avenue of the Giants, Hwy 254.

Hwy 254 - Avenue of the giants highway.

Avenue of the Giants is a spectacular 31-mile scenic highway in Northern California (Highway 254) running parallel to US Route 101 in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Known as the finest forest drive in the world, it winds directly through towering, ancient coastal redwoods, offering world-class hiking, camping, and sightseeing. You might even see Sasquatch ( Bigfoot) wandering in the forest) at the very least a redwood hand carved statue being offered for sale at a roadside stand.

Key Details & PlanningLocation: Southern Humboldt County, approximately 200 miles north of San Francisco.( just getting there is a scenic adventure in its own right.)

Drive Time: Roughly 50 to 60 minutes if driving non-stop, but you'll want to take your time to pull over and explore. Seriously it’s a 5 day holiday road trip. And you will want to go back more than once.

Cost: The road is a public highway and free to drive, though some specific state park parking lots and campgrounds require fees.Take the road less traveled. It’s worth the time it takes- off the beaten path. It’s a tourist road, but it is not jammed with tourists.

Top Attractions: Founders Grove: An iconic half-mile trail featuring the Founders Tree and the Dyerville Giant.

Rockefeller Forest: The largest contiguous old-growth redwood forest in the world.

Drive-Thru Trees: The famous Shrine Drive-Thru Tree is located in Myers Flat, allowing you to actually drive your car through a giant redwood (small fee applies). Unfortunately it is no longer living. It burnt down several years ago (lightning strike).

Immortal Tree: A nearly 1,000-year-old tree that has survived fires, floods, and logging.

Nearby TownsPhillipsville: Marks the southern entry point of the Avenue.

Pepperwood: Marks the northern entry point.

Garberville: The largest town nearby, offering plenty of dining and lodging options. If you go in August plan on attending the world renown Reggae on the River 4 day concert. It’s a fabulous event and worth the stop. (Tip: if you go to breakfast on Monday morning after the concert, at the only breakfast restaurant in Garberville you will see most of the reggae band members in there eating breakfast). I have seen the Marleys, Jimmy Cliff, Alpha Blondy, Don Carlos, Third World, Israel Vibration and many more over the 12 years of going to the concert.

Scotia: A historic mill town and former company town located along the route.

Just driving through the redwood forest, and stopping and hiking into the forest itself, breathing the air, feeling the coolness of the forest climate, touching the trees, is almost a religious experience, and will make you want to come back again and again.

The towns are small, the people friendly. California at its best.