Sequoia/Redwoods Large Group Lodging
 

Considering a family vacation to see the trees! We usually rent large house (need 7 bedrooms) but I haven't had luck locating one. Several adjacent small cabins or condos would possibly work. Would appreciate any ideas. Thanks.

Someplace like http://www.silvercityresort.com

Maybe Grant Grove cabins, surrounded by smaller redwoods walking distance to Grant Grove. Not luxury and none big enough to handle all of you, but great location. We stayed in # 9 - pretty rustic but comfortable.

http://www.visitsequoia.com/Grant-Grove-Cabins.aspx

No disrespect, but do you want to see sequoias or redwoods?

Sequoias are found mainly in the Sierras, redwoods mainly on the coast. The sequoias are bigger around, the redwoods are taller.

Sequoia National Park is certainly a good destination to see sequoias, but there are other places with (IMO) more variety and options for when you're NOT walking through the groves. One such is the Calaveras Big Trees State Park, which is located a short distance up Calif. Hwy 4 from the heart of the Gold Rush country, with numerous charming and historic towns like Murphys, Sutter Creek etc., which have numerous types of accommodations. The area is also full of wineries, beautiful roads to explore, and it's much closer to major airports like Sacramento or San Francisco. You can also easily visit Yosemite while you're in the area.

For the redwoods, the biggest concentration is on US 101, starting around 4 hours north of San Francisco and extended all the way to the Oregon state line. There are concentrations of accommodations all along the route, from Garberville in the south up to Crescent City. (Or you could even stay in Brookings, on the spectacular southern Oregon coast, and make day trips to some of the redwood groves along US 199.)

But these two areas are hundreds of miles apart (and in the summer 30 degrees or more in temperature differential) so you'd need which one you want to see.

Google the Calaveras Big Trees and Avenue of the Giants to get a feel for the differences.

Thank you for the great info!! I now have some great ideas on which locations to begin to read about!!

Both types of trees are sequoias, same genus. Just a different species of redwoods.

Gardyloo,
We haven't seen either of the different trees and would love to see both. After doing a bit of research I don't think this is going to be easy for the large family trip. I think we will keep that simple and do an AI and change this trip to a long weekend with just my husband.

With that in mind would you (or others familiar with the area) make a suggestion on how to get the most of a long weekend? We don't really want to hike or camp, just drive around and see the trees, enjoy the scenery.

I'm thinking the end of September. We are flying from Midwest so any airport would be fine.

Thanks in advance.

The end of September would be much better for coastal redwoods than for Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Either in the Santa Cruz mountains or on the north coast. SFO would be the best airport (or Oakland or San Jose - but SFO probably gives you the most options)

September is the very best month of the year weather-wise along the coast -- and in the Sierra it is mainly hot and dry.

Why not Google Armstrong State Park. Lovely quiet park with redwoods. Similar to Muir woods outside of S.F. but without all the tourists and tour busses. Armstrong Woods is located in Guerneville on the Russian River, near Healdsburg. You can also check out VRBO rentals, but keep in mind that rentals within Healdsburg city limits are illegal, altho people are doing it. Your risk. In addition to the Redwoods, there are lovely drives, wine tasting and great restaurants.