Off the Beaten Path

Enjoy summer’s sun-dappled trails, like this one in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Photo by Julie Martin

How to Have the Best Summer Ever

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Life is already too short to waste on speed. I have a friend who’s always in a hurry; he never gets anywhere. Walking makes the world much bigger and thus more interesting. You have time to observe the details. – …

Top 3 Bay Area Redwood Parks You’ve Never Heard Of

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It’s almost summertime, which means it’s time to get outside and see the redwoods! One of the best things about living in the Bay Area is easy access to redwood forests. But Muir Woods and other renowned protected spaces are …

Breaking Ground to Extend Lost Coast Trail

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On the windswept Northern California coast is one of the most rugged, remote and wild places in the state. Great expanses of forest meet wildflower-carpeted bluffs before plunging from rocky cliffs to long, deserted beaches. Here, you can find solitude …

The Funny Thing About Trails…

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It’s a funny thing about trails. For me, they carry a lot more significance than their linear simplicity would imply. Not just because I know firsthand what it takes to build them, but because through every phase of life and all …

In Butano State Park, you’ll feel transported to another world. Photo by Julie Martin

Rivendell or the Redwoods?

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Have you seen any of the Lord of the Rings movies? My kids are totally into them, and I’ll admit it, I am too! Aren’t the forest scenes beautiful? If you haven’t seen them, take my word for it — …

More kids will now be able to explore our national parks, like these enjoying Yosemite. Photo by something.from.nancy, Flickr Creative Commons

Every Kid in a Park

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“It is not half so important to know as to feel when introducing a young child to the natural world.” -Rachel Carson In 2005, Richard Louv released his influential book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. …

Towering coast redwoods create a cathedral-like setting in Loma Mar Redwoods. Photo by Paolo Vescia

Celebrate Spring at a Forest You Recently Opened

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Along scenic Pescadero Creek Road in San Mateo County, you’ll find a newly opened redwood forest where you can hike, thanks to donations from generous Save the Redwoods League members like you. If you’re looking for a way to mark …

Redwoods State of Mind

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As I pedaled away in my Soul Cycle© indoor cycling class this morning, the instructor told us to turn our gears so that we had a ton of resistance, like we were going up a hill. As we pushed on, …

Photo by Wayne Hsieh

Connecting Cultural and Natural History at Fort Ross

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There is a park along the Sonoma Coast that looks out over the Pacific Ocean on one side and peers up at a fog-blanketed redwood forest on the other. This park is known for its rich local cultural history, but …

Cathedral Grove at Muir Woods National Monument. Photo credit: Tonatiuh Trejo-Cantwell

Establishing Muir Woods National Monument

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“Whatever occupation man may follow, there is planted within him a need of nature, calling gently at him at times to come and enjoy, imperiously commanding at other times to seek recuperation and strength.” — William Kent Have you ever …

John Muir

John Muir, the Legend

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If you have spent any time in the amazing natural areas of California, you won’t go very far without experiencing the presence of John Muir — a man who did more for the conservation of our beautiful wild places during …

No matter what your age, spending time among the redwoods can be a rewarding experience. Photo by Paolo Vescia

Enjoying the Redwoods at Every Age

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Through this blog I often write about my experiences with youths in the redwoods. I love seeing the expressions on kids’ faces when they see a banana slug, find a tiny redwood cone, or see a tall redwood tree for …

The Origins of Halloween

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Happy Halloween everyone! Finally, the day has arrived when you get to dress up however you want. Maybe months of planning even went into your costume, your creativity shining through. But did you ever wonder why we celebrate Halloween? Where …

Through the Woods with a Ranger and a Poet

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As inspiring as the redwood forest can be, it is even better when shared. We know the inspirational surge that our favorite redwood places engender; it’s why we keep going back. And it is why we bring our friends there …

Fall foliage along the Eel River. Photo by mlhradio, Flickr Creative Commons

Fall Has Arrived

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Although our fall-changing trees are not as numerous as in the east, we can still see some evidence of fall here on the West Coast. In our redwood forests, look for big leaf maples and vine maples for their changing color.

Brad Pitt and the Redwoods, Seriously?!

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I nearly fell out of my chair when I came across a feature article about Brad Pitt doing a shoot in Humboldt Redwoods State Park for Details Magazine. My first thought was, “Okay, why wasn’t I invited?” And second, “Who …

Entre Los Gigantes

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Qué maravilla— ¿cómo es que estos gigantes existen? ¿Qué cuentos han de saber y cuantas historias han de conocer? ¿Qué me dirían a este momento? Recalling one of my most memorable experiences among the redwoods at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State …

Top 10 Forests to Explore this Fall

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The fall has always been my favorite season. Maybe because it means winter is coming — I love the snow — or because the memories are still fresh from a great summer, or because of the reminder of the cycle that will start up …

Largest WWII Memorial in U.S. Rediscovered in the Redwoods

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In 1945, with victory in Europe and Japan within sight, individuals and organizations all across the country united in a nationwide effort to preserve 5,000 acres of old-growth redwoods as the National Tribute Grove. The effort, led by Save the Redwoods League …

Favorite Discoveries from the Forest

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Guest bloggers Doug and Joanne Schwartz – League members and dedicated volunteers – are serving this summer as our Redwood Explorers-in-Residence, exploring the northern parks, and ground-truthing and mapping the groves of ancient forest they find. Along the way, they’re documenting the many interesting …