AshleyBeauregard

My husband and I would like to travel out to California and see the Redwoods at the end of April. We are from Ohio and are not really sure where to stay, where to fly in, other things to do, etc. We plan to be there for a week. We are going for our Anniversary so some kind of plans for that would be nice as well. Thanks!!

Michael

There are redwoods within a day's trip from San Francisco, but if you want to see them in larger numbers, you would have to plan a trip up toward Eureka, or perhaps stay in Ferndale and do day trips from there.

MmePerdu

You might like to tell us what else you'd like to do or see in proximity to the redwoods. North of San Francisco is wine country and redwoods, south of San Francisco is Monterey Bay and redwoods.

AshleyBeauregard

We aren't exactly sure what we would like to do. We aren't familiar with the area. Wine country would be nice considering it is our Anniversary. We wouldn't mind seeing some beaches. Is April even a good time to go?

tomfuller

Several years ago, my DW and I spent our anniversary in Yosemite. Yosemite has Mariposa Grove which is a large grove of Sequoias.
The Sequoias are larger in diameter but shorter than the Coast Redwoods.
Fly into SFO (or Oakland, San Jose or Sacramento) to start your trip.
April could be stormy with very rough surf on the California beaches. There's not much to see at the CA vineyards in April IMO.
If you decide to stay a night or 2 in San Francisco, rent the car downtown when you are ready to leave SF.

Gardyloo

I would fly in and out of San Francisco. Get a car and drive north on US 101 to Ferndale, near Eureka (around 5 hours in the car. Just before you get to the Ferndale/Eureka area, you'll encounter the "Avenue of the Giants" byway, a loop road that roughly parallels US 101. This will let you visit some of the most impressive groves of big trees, such as the Founders Grove in Humboldt State Park.

Ferndale is a lovely little Victorian town with some terrific architecture, and also close for a (day trip) out to the edge of the Lost Coast, the last remaining coastal wilderness in California.

Then head back south, but turn off at Leggett and take California Hwy 1 along the coast for your return. Consider staying in Mendocino, an amazingly picturesque little town (used in several movies) along the equally beautiful coastline, which in April will probably be abutted by fields of wildflowers and wild roses along the roadside.

If you want, you can swing inland at some point to the Sonoma County vineyards, which should be leafed out by then, or you can continue south on Hwy 1 all the way to the Golden Gate bridge. If you do so, there will be roadside beaches (cold water, don't think about it) or the marvelous Point Reyes National Seashore to visit.

This is an easy and spectacular week's tour (or less, if you want to spend some time in SF itself) that will cover an amazing series of beautiful landscapes, and the redwoods at their most awesome.

NewbE

Gardyloo's tour is excellent! I would just add that you can visit excellent wineries on your way back from Mendocino, in the Anderson Valley, and also see more redwoods at Hendy Woods State Park, which has some nice, easy hiking. If you don't stay in Mendocino, which really is charming, consider staying in Booneville, which is just down the road. (This way, if you're not super into wine, you can avoid the inland swing to Sonoma.)

indyhiker

We took a trip this past May that included several nights in San Francisco, four nights in Mendicino and two nights in Healdsburg (Sonoma County). We saw Redwoods going to and from Mendocino and on a hike in Armstrong Woods. The trip offered a nice sampling of city/small towns and coast/inland. We had a lovely stay at the Red Barn Retreat, a rental cottage just outside Mendocino. Healdsburg was great, too. Wonderful wine and food.

spirobulldog

Love the Redwoods. However, IMOP The Sequoia in Sequoia National Park are more impressive. The Redwoods do offer the ocean too though. Both are very good. But, if you are strictly going for the trees, then I would suggest Sequoia.

I've been to the Redwoods 3 times. Here are my suggestions. Best place to see the trees--Prairie Creek State Park(which is actually part of the National Park--The National Park is basically 3 State Parks--A bit confusing and this is the only National Park that is like that). The best trail, IMOP, is James Irvine trail that connects up with Fern Canyon and goes all the way to the ocean. It's 4 miles One Way. If you don't do the entire hike, then do drive and hike into Fern Canyon a bit. It's spectacular too.

I also really like The Stout Memorial Grove. This is in the Jedidiah Smith State Park section of the National Park.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove is also nice.

A short drive from The Redwoods National Park is Patrick's Point State Park. I would suggest visiting Agate Beach and catch Palmers Point Beach(which is in Patricks Point State Park) at low tide. Great Tidepooling there.

november_moon

One thing to consider if trying to decide between Giant Sequoias (Sequoia gigantea) or the Coastal Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) is weather and the time of year. Giant Sequoias grow up in the sierras at higher elevation, and we can still have snow fall that time of year at the higher elevations. Coastal Redwoods grow at much lower elevations, so snow is not a concern.