A 1 day whistlestop tour of Redwood

1 day itinerary

Situated on the Pacific Coast of California lies a perfect location for nature lovers. Soak in one of the most famous national parks in the world! With Redwood trees reaching dizzying heights of 380 ft, no matter how long or short your trip, it'll be worth your time! Let’s explore how to maximise a 1 day Northern Californian adventure!

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This short itinerary focuses on the centre of Redwood NP, allowing the day to consist of beautiful landscapes, wildlife sightings, and occasional glimpses of the Pacific Coast! For reference, all locations mentions are just south of the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park - one of the main sections which make up the complex of Redwood National & State Parks.

Elk Meadow is a must see for the start of your day trip, which you'll cross through the trail to Trillium Falls. This is a beautiful walk which is 2.6 miles. The route begins through the meadows were elk can be spotted! Following on from here there is a slight incline to the waterfall. This walk may take 3-4 hours but truly encompasses the park as a whole.

A coastal drive is next up on our recommendations! Stretched out along the coastline of California, this is a great item for your list. The coastal Redwood trees make up 45% of the world’s remainder and line this drive. Steller’s sea lions can also be seen on this route, so make sure to look out for them! Some days they can be seen playing or feeding, but on others they can be very evasive! There are various campsites and picnic areas for a longer stay or just for a lunch time spot. Additionally, Gold Bluffs Beach is a beautiful sandy bay with fishing and camping opportunities. Use this option to slow down the pace of your day.

If you still have any energy left in your legs, Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail is a great option consisting of a 1.5 mile loop-around walk. It is accessible throughout the year and in the summer months there are ranger-led educational walks available. Spot the well-loved plaque dedicated to Lady Bird Johnson who actively promoted the protection and creation of natural habitats in her role as First Lady. Such apt tribute to commemorate her work!

To conclude your day, Redwood Creek is located close to Lady Bird Johnson Grove and is an unbeatable spot some days when a spectacular cloud inversion mixes amongst the Redwood tree tops. Our other favourite way to spend the evening is to drive along U.S. Route 101, with plenty of viewpoints to stop at displaying the glowing cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. One of the best is Crescent Beach Overlook where your eyes will follow the curved coastline all the way to small rocky outcrops of Crescent City & Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge on the horizon. The radiance of the sunlight catching the water is the perfect way to end your time at this unforgettable national park!

If you want to check out all that Redwood has to offer, then look over our complete Redwood National Park guide! Or visit this American classic as part of the Pacific Coast Flyer Road Trip!