Want to see the "BIG TREES"
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to California in August. We will be flying into San Francisco for a few days and then renting a car to drive to see the "BIG TREES". A friend has told us to stay in Healdsburg. Just wanted to know if any of you have any other suggestions. We have never been to California and would like to make the most of our trip. <BR>Thanks in advance, <BR>Alabama

There are two kinds of "Big Trees", the coastal redwood (north of SF), and Giant Sequoias, in Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. I've been to Yosemite, can't tell you if the coastal redwoods are better or just different.

Coastal redwoods tend to be taller (300+ ft) and Sequioas are wider. Some of the best parks to visit are Big Basin (santa cruz mtns) and Richardson's Grove (Humboldt county) for coastals (in the santa cruz mtns) and Calaveras Big Trees State Park (hwy 4 just east of Arnold, CA) or Sequoia Natl Park for Sequioas. I believe Healdsburg is in Napa, and although you may see a handful, it isn't redwood country. Big Basin is probably your best bet of the lot if you don't want to spend several hours driving.

Healdsburg is in Sonoma County, near the Russian River Valley, and absolutely gorgeous. It is a short drive to "BIG TREES" and with fabulous restaurants and wineries to visit to boot.

There are quite a few groves of tall Sequoias, the Sequoia Sempervirens, south of Crescent City California. <BR>We spent a whole day in that area visiting groves of giants. Farther south, along US 101, you will also find groves of Sequoias. The really tall ones go 350 or more. <BR>South of Eureka there are several state reserves, particularly Humboldt State Park, that have nice sequoia groves as well. <BR>The Sequoia Gigantia is the big fat one that you see in Yosemite and in the Seqoia National Park farther south. <BR>While the Gigantia variety is awesome, the full grown ones look to me to be grotesque. The sequoia sempervirens is a stately tree that grows so tall that it bends the neck to look up to the tops. <BR>

If you come to sonoma County for the trees, make sure to visit Armstrong Redwoods State Park. that may have been what your source was referring to. It is in Gurneville, CA right in the Russian River area. It is beautiful.

Sequoia Gigantia = ugly? <BR> <BR>Yougottabekidding! <BR> <BR>There are trees in the world that are older. Trees that are taller. Trees that are wider. But NONE that combine all things to be the largest and oldest things on the planet. <BR> <BR>Went to Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks last spring. The giant public and accessible groves are impressive, but the grotesque thing is the touristy nature to the area (gated and forced cement trails, buses unloading, rude tourists that drive thru to take a picture and drive out complaining that there is no IMAX theater). General Grant (?) tree is the largest living thing on the planet -- one fallen limb was bigger than any tree in the midwest. <BR> <BR>For a better perspective, check out the hikes through the forests. The General Washington tree -- 2nd largest tree in the park (if not the world) -- is about a 40 minute hike thru primevil forest. You come accross it the way early pioneers might have encountered it: enveloped in a cloud, accessible to touch, and awe-inspiring. <BR> <BR>

I agree with all the great suggestions. When short-term visitors are going to SF, I suggest Muir Woods just across the bay as soon as it opens in the morning before the crowds come. For those staying in the bay area it is hard to beat Big Basin south of the city. Plus you can visit Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay or other towns in the general area. If you have time to leave the SF area, then Armstrong and Humboldt are both great. Everyone loves the Avenue of the Giants. Plan some time for walking, picnicing, and just sitting among the trees. Don't just drive through. They provide one of the most inspiring settings I have ever experienced. The problem is getting areas to yourself in August. So go early and go on weekdays if you can.