redwoods (Fort Bragg, Crescent City: living, shop, best place)

[az2010]

I will be traveling up the CA coast this summer. I would like to be able to drive through a redwood tree. Please share with me the best place to do that. Thank you.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by az2010

I will be traveling up the CA coast this summer. I would like to be able to drive through a redwood tree. Please share with me the best place to do that. Thank you.

Look up: Avenue of the Giants.

[pch1013]

There's also one in Leggett, near the junction of CA-1 and US 101. I believe that's the one that's farthest south. Leggett is about 40 (very twisty) miles north of Fort Bragg.

[ferretkona]

Calaveras Big Trees on hwy 4 has one I believe but closed to traffic now.

[cephalopede]

The one in Legget is pretty nice (I think, it's the only one I've driven through) and there's a pretty well-stocked gift shop and a nice parklike area where I imagine you could have a picnic lunch. It's right off 101, and the Avenue of the Giants is right around there, isn't it?

[509]

The coast and Sierra redwoods are two different species.

You really need to make a point of seeing the Sierra redwoods. They are much more massive and impressive as a tree than the coast redwoods.

The ecological setting of the coast Redwoods is real interesting. For most people the coast redwoods are pretty massive, but they do not hold a candle to the Sierra Redwoods.

The best groves of Redwoods are in the California State Parks. California was saving redwood groves long before the Federal government "discovered" the National Park.

[OwlKaMyst]

Drive Thru tree is in Legget, off 101, if headed north, you will turn left onto '1' to Fort Bragg. It is right at the junction, so easy to get back on 101.
Once back on 101, about 30-40 minutes you will come to the Phillipsville exit which is the south end of Avenue of the Giants. There are exits onto the Avenue about every 6 miles, and it is easy on and off to 101 from Avenue of the Giants (used to live on this road- it is beautiful, many groves to stop and walk through). There is another drive thru tree just north of Myers Flat, which is about 20 miles from the Phillipsville exit.
You could save some time and enjoy the avenue and exit at Miranda, visit the Chandelier Tree,(could be spelling that wrong) drive through it and continue along the Avenue until it puts you back onto 101.
I am not certain, but I think there is a 3rd drive thru tree further north.

[az2010]

Thank you for the info

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by 509

The coast and Sierra redwoods are two different species.

You really need to make a point of seeing the Sierra redwoods. They are much more massive and impressive as a tree than the coast redwoods.

The ecological setting of the coast Redwoods is real interesting. For most people the coast redwoods are pretty massive, but they do not hold a candle to the Sierra Redwoods.

The best groves of Redwoods are in the California State Parks. California was saving redwood groves long before the Federal government "discovered" the National Park.

OK ... LOL

Behold a Coast Redwood ... this in Del Norte an hour north of Humboldt. At 26 feet diameter, this is the same diameter as General Sherman Giant Sequoia, the world's largest tree. At ground level, the average person wouldn't know which was bigger.

This tree here, is the reason why only 6 Giant Sequoia are the largest trees in the world, because at 7th largest in the world, it's bigger than every other Giant Sequoia known.

To the person who started the OP about drive-through redwoods, the best by far is in Leggett... Close to 300 feet and the best looking of the bunch. The one in Avenue of the Giants near Myers Flat is less than 140 feet tall and held up by a cable, even thought the sign says 275 feet. Used a laser, so know for a fact. The Leggett tree is like 286 and lovely color.

Personally ... I say skip the drive-through amusement stuff and spend time at Avenue of the Giants, Mattole Rd., or try Howland Hill Rd. through Jedediah Smith Redwoods by Crescent City.

[cephalopede]

Well sure, but some of us like our hokey roadside attractions. If you can't drive through a tree once in your life, are you really living?

But yes, the area around Legget is really pretty.