hiking

Three people look at exhibits

Beacon of renewal: A new welcome center opens

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It’s a spectacular drive heading south from San Francisco on Highway 1, where under an azure sky, the furrowed Santa Cruz Mountains meet the sparkling, blue arc of the Pacific and its craggy sea stacks. In about 60 miles, the …

A person stands between two huge giant sequoia trees.

Going solo in Sequoia National Park

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From childhood, many of the stories we’re told about nature are cautionary tales. These bedtime stories frighten us with the horrors one may find if we dare venture into the woods alone. Especially for young girls and marginalized folks, these …

Three people stand at the base of a giant redwood

Escape crowds at these 6 enthralling, lesser-known redwood parks

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ExploreRedwoods.org has long showcased more than 100 national, state, and local redwood parks in California as well as a few in Oregon. To help narrow your choices as summer approaches, consider these favorite, off-the-beaten-track parks as chosen by Save the …

Three snow-covered giant sequoias on a sunny winter day.

7 ideas for winter fun among giant sequoias

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Everyone should have a chance to experience the magic of snow-draped sequoia, and this year, conditions are perfect. There’s plenty of snow and plenty of ways to get out and enjoy it. So if you’re craving a day in the forest, here are some ideas for where to go and what to do when the snow falls.

Two people smile in the foreground; a sunny redwood forest is in the background.

Leave it on the trail

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It was six months into the pandemic—a bizarre time that seemed out of a sci-fi movie. Like real life, the trails have their ups and downs (literally!). The redwood forests were our sanctuary. Walking among the giants at Henry Cowell, Mount Tamalpais, and Humboldt Redwoods state parks gave us perspective and humility.

A wide dirt trail runs along the bottom of the frame through a dense redwood forest. Dappled sunlight is on the ground.

Hikers are stoked about these 5 Bay Area redwood trails

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Redwood forests are great places to connect with nature, friends, and family, especially over the holidays. Check out these highly rated hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area according to alltrails.com. Bootjack Trail Loop Mount Tamalpais State Park / Muir …

A view of a reservoir surrounded by forested mountains and a blue sky, framed by branches of an oak tree, with an owl flying through.

Reflections on nature during our pandemic year

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Spotting a barn owl in the wild, League President and CEO Sam Hodder reflects on the role nature has played in inspiring and sustaining people during a global pandemic.

Dogs exploring League sponsored Free Redwoods Day

How to Find Awesome Dog-Friendly Redwood Hikes

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For many of us, dogs are treated less like pets and more like family. It only feels natural to bring our dogs—with their cute, wagging tails and unbounded enthusiasm—along with us as we explore the redwoods this summer. If you need suggestions on where to go, consider these delightful and dog-friendly redwood hikes.

Hit the Trail: National Trails Day

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Some of my most memorable moments in life began with the decision to venture down a dirt path. There is nothing like setting out into nature with the pure intention of discovery — each bend provides anticipation, each hill you climb brings accomplishment, the sights spur inspiration, and every step brings you closer to yourself.

Butano State Park. Photo by Patricia VanEyll

A First Encounter with Redwood Grandeur

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Our first redwood outing was to Butano State Park, which is a 4,600-acre park located in Pescadero. We chose this park due to its proximity to Hwy. 1 so that after our hike, we could drive up the coast to Pacifica to have dinner, thereby making a full day of our adventure.

Join the Great American Backyard Campout

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Join us this Saturday as we spend the afternoon at Oakland’s Joaquin Miller Park, hiking and camping among the redwoods. League staff will lead a hike through the forest to talk about the state of the redwoods and how we need the public of all ages to help us monitor these amazing beauties.

Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve

16 Amazing Redwood Escapes near San Francisco

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If you’re like so many San Francisco Bay Area residents, nearby Muir Woods National Monument is your go-to place for a redwood-forest experience. But did you know about these 16 redwood parks within a one-hour drive of San Francisco?

How My Family Backpacking Dream Came True (And Yours Can, Too)

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I can think of no wilder adventure than spending a week exploring the Yosemite backcountry with three teenage boys. With my oldest son heading into his final year of high school, I decided to go all out this summer in search of a truly epic, life-changing, never-to-forget experience that my sons and I could share.

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. – …

You’re Invited! Hendy Woods Celebration

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For decades, Hendy Woods State Park has been a favorite destination among locals and visitors for camping, hiking and swimming among gigantic 1,000-year-old redwoods. With trails winding through not one but two ancient redwood groves and the Navarro River flowing by, …

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 …

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 …