California
Hiking the Redwoods in Northern California
Program No. 21404RJ
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Northern California as you hike beneath redwoods with local naturalists, learning about these centuries-old trees and their coastal ecosystems.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Not seeing the date you're looking for?
To be notified if dates of this program become available, click the button below.
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
At a Glance
Explore the spectacular Redwood Coast of Northern California on hikes with naturalists and other experts along beautiful trails amid diverse environments all while learning about the natural and human history of this breathtaking region. Gaze up at giant cathedral trees, hear tales of timbering and marvel at the science behind the beauty of the Coastal Redwoods — the tallest trees in the world — and their limited range along the Northern California coast.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hike 3-5 miles a day on uneven terrain, maintained trails. Elevation gains of 300-440 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Hike the Avenue of the Giants to see much of the remaining ancient redwood forests.
- Explore Old Town Eureka and see its murals.
- Learn from a naturalist about the history of the Redwood National and State Park system, protecting half of all remaining old-growth coastal Redwood forest.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Kris Springer
Kris Springer has always loved nature and traveling. Kris was born in Wisconsin, attended high school in Minnesota, and received her degree in communications from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Kris has gained great respect for the environment while working as a docent at Point San Luis Lighthouse and Central Coast Aquarium in Avila Beach. During the school year Kris works as a teacher. She has been singing with the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble for the past 22 years.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Kris Springer
View biography
Kris Springer has always loved nature and traveling. Kris was born in Wisconsin, attended high school in Minnesota, and received her degree in communications from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Kris has gained great respect for the environment while working as a docent at Point San Luis Lighthouse and Central Coast Aquarium in Avila Beach. During the school year Kris works as a teacher. She has been singing with the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble for the past 22 years.
Kati Texas
View biography
Kati "Texas" Moulton is a muralist and art educator who runs Maker's Apron Creative Reuse Center. She has served as president of Kinetic Universe and artistic director at Ink People Center for the Arts. She is a passionate advocate for public art, as well as economic development through arts and culture.
Suggested Reading List
(4 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Hiking the Redwoods in Northern California
Program Number: 21404
Best Short Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks
A guide to short hikes and the history of the area. Longer hikes are described as possible add-ons.
Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest
A comprehensive, user-friendly and informative field guide that delves into the amazingly diverse wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest.
- Covers Oregon, Washington, northern California, and British Columbia
Describes and illustrates 1220 commonly encountered species.
-Includes perennials, annuals, and shrubs, both native and nonnative.
- 1,248 superb color photographs and 1,220 range maps.
- User-friendly organization by flower color and shape.
The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion & Daring
Hidden away in foggy, uncharted rain forest valleys in Northern California are the largest and tallest organisms the world has ever sustained–the coast redwood trees, Sequoia sempervirens. Ninety-six percent of the ancient redwood forests have been destroyed by logging, but the untouched fragments that remain are among the great wonders of nature. The biggest redwoods have trunks up to thirty feet wide and can rise more than thirty-five stories above the ground, forming cathedral-like structures in the air. Until recently, redwoods were thought to be virtually impossible to ascend, and the canopy at the tops of these majestic trees was undiscovered. In The Wild Trees, Richard Preston unfolds the spellbinding story of Steve Sillett, Marie Antoine, and the tiny group of daring botanists and amateur naturalists that found a lost world above California, a world that is dangerous, hauntingly beautiful, and unexplored.
Coast Redwood: A Natural and Cultural History
Coast Redwood is the first contemporary illustrated book to focus exclusively on the natural and cultural history of the world's tallest tree.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Eureka, CA
Program Concludes
Eureka, CA
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
13
| 5B |
4L |
4D |
Activity Level
Explore the spectacular Redwood Coast of Northern California on hikes with naturalists and other experts along beautiful trails amid diverse environments all while learning about the natural and human history of this breathtaking region. Gaze up at giant cathedral trees, hear tales of timbering and marvel at the science behind the beauty of the Coastal Redwoods — the tallest trees in the world — and their limited range along the Northern California coast.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Hike the Avenue of the Giants to see much of the remaining ancient redwood forests.
- Explore Old Town Eureka and see its murals.
- Learn from a naturalist about the history of the Redwood National and State Park system, protecting half of all remaining old-growth coastal Redwood forest.
Featured Expert
Kris Springer
Kris Springer has always loved nature and traveling. Kris was born in Wisconsin, attended high school in Minnesota, and received her degree in communications from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Kris has gained great respect for the environment while working as a docent at Point San Luis Lighthouse and Central Coast Aquarium in Avila Beach. During the school year Kris works as a teacher. She has been singing with the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble for the past 22 years.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Kati Texas
Kati "Texas" Moulton is a muralist and art educator who runs Maker's Apron Creative Reuse Center. She has served as president of Kinetic Universe and artistic director at Ink People Center for the Arts. She is a passionate advocate for public art, as well as economic development through arts and culture.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hike 3-5 miles a day on uneven terrain, maintained trails. Elevation gains of 300-440 feet.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(4 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals | 5B | 4L | 4D |
3 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m., Orientation: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby to register with the program staff and get any updated information. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with a featured expert who will serve as our Instructor and a knowledgeable Group Leader. Both will provide educational information. Travel for program-related activities will be by motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In the hotel conference room.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Avenue of the Giants
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 85 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Hiking up to 5 miles throughout the day; maintained trails, varying terrain with little elevation gain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll then hop aboard a motorcoach and set out for a full-day field trip exploring the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The park comprises 53,000 acres, of which about 17,000 are old-growth redwood forest. This is the largest surviving stand of ancient coast redwoods left in the world. Our Group Leader, along with our Instructor, will lead us on this hike where we will explore Founders Grove and begin getting to know the redwoods.
Lunch:
At Humboldt Redwoods State Park, we will have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Next, we will walk to the nearby Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive and Visitor Center for a self-directed exploration. The Visitor Center includes a natural history museum. We will then continue hiking in the park to learn about this unique environment. We will visit the Rockefeller Grove, a spectacular, scenic lowland grove in the heart of the state park. From there we will continue to the Drury Chaney Trail to enjoy more spectacular scenery. We’ll return to the hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will gather in the hotel meeting room for a presentation by our Instructor on local geology and environment.
Day
3
Humboldt Bay, Old Town Eureka, Sequoia Park
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles, approximately 3/4 hour riding time. Hiking up to 5 miles throughout the day; paved and dirt paths, maintained trails, graded switchbacks; elevation gains of 200-350 feet. Sky walk is 1/4 mile in length along various ramps and bridges; 100-feet high at its highest point.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out for a ride through the historic lumber town where our Instructor will share information about local history and the lumber industry. Next, we’ll walk into Old Town Eureka with our Instructor who will tell us about the history of the area and this old logging town.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Eureka.
Afternoon:
Next, we will board our bus and head to Sequoia Park Zoo where a local expert will give us a presentation on raptors. We’ll then explore the canopy up close during a 100-foot high Redwood Sky Walk. After the sky walk we will walk to Sequoia Park for a hike with naturalists to explore and learn about local flora and fauna. After our walk, we will board the bus and return to the hotel.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Trinidad State Beach, Arcata Marsh Sanctuary
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus motorcoach; driving about 60 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Hiking up to 4.5 miles throughout the day; dirt trails, slightly rocky paths, elevation gains of 300-325 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out via motorcoach on a field trip to Trinidad State Beach where we will enjoy hiking along a coastal trail with spectacular views of the coast and nearby lighthouse. We will hike to the lighthouse and meet with a docent to learn about the history of the structure and surrounding area.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Trinidad.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will set out via motorcoach on a field trip to the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary for a guided tour of this rich wetland habitat. A renowned location for wildlife watching, the Marsh boasts some of the best avian diversity in the Pacific Northwest. On our docent-led tour we will learn about this amazing resource and the wildlife and habitat diversity that make it special. After our exploration at Arcata Marsh, we will return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
In the hotel conference room, Artist Kati Texas will introduce Humboldt's favorite homegrown sport: Kinetic Sculpture Racing, a five decade tradition where competing teams pit bodies of art and artists bodies against the majestic and dangerous Humboldt backcountry! See the sport evolve from a two block parade in 1969 into a 50 mile, three day race across roads, dunes and water ... all of it strictly human powered only! Part bicycle race, part rolling musical revue, the Kinetic Grand Championship has been called the "Triathalon of the Art World." The racers say it's all "For the Glory!" but when artists and engineers get together and start exploring their limits there's deeper benefits for the community and the world.
Day
5
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park & Kuchel Visitor Center
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 95 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Hiking up to 4 miles throughout the day; maintained trails, gradual elevation gains up to 433 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the bus for a field trip to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. There, we’ll hike with naturalists who will stop for interpretation of the environment and any other animals and plants we encounter along the way. These are spectacular Old Growth coastal redwoods trails where we can take in the sights and sounds of the redwood forests. We’ll also visit the local visitor center to explore and learn more about the redwoods.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot, we will have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Our hiking field trip will continue. We’ll then ride back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We will gather with our Instructor and Group Leader for a wrap-up session to review highlights of our hiking adventure with fellow Road Scholars. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.
MEALS
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
- May 18, 2025 - May 23, 2025
- Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025
- Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
- Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025
- Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025
- Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025
- Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
- Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
- Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 39 Reviews
Sort By:
I learned so many fascinating facts about the redwoods & the California coast!
— Review left October 14, 2024
"Hiking the Redwoods" is a wonderful way to learn about the Coastal Redwoods. The hikes are not strenuous, but they are in a beautiful, scenic area. Hiking with a naturalist increased my enjoyment a great deal, turning the hikes into something more than just "walks in the woods." I also enjoyed walking around Old Town Eureka, visiting Trinidad Beach, and seeing nearby Ferndale.
— Review left October 9, 2024
Great program.
— Review left October 5, 2024
If you love hiking in a beautiful forest, this is the program for you.
— Review left October 4, 2024
This journey surpassed my expectations. I've gained more knowledge than I ever imagined. A fantastic group of fellow travelers, drivers, and instructors made this vacation truly unforgettable.
— Review left September 28, 2024
Wonderful being in the ancient woods. Learned a lot with excellent guides and pleasant guests. Would have liked time to meditate in the woods.
— Review left August 4, 2024
Such a great trip! Fell in love with the redwoods, ferns and northern coast of California. Learning as we were in it brought my experience to a whole other level. Kris and Elliott were amazing leaders and teachers and they brought the fun!
— Review left July 25, 2024
Great program, well planned and executed. We will be doing more trips with Road Scholar.
— Review left June 10, 2024
You've seen pictures of the Redwoods, sure, but you can't believe they're real until you actually walk among them -- mind-blowingly awesome.
— Review left June 9, 2024
A wonderful overview of both the redwoods and the area - lots of good trails and historic information!
— Review left May 27, 2024
The trip was full of hikes to magnificent majestic Redwood Forests - they were breathtaking. The Sky Walk at the zoo was really amazing. The history of the area was very interesting. The hikes were very doable in both length and changes in elevation. I would highly recommend this trip.
— Review left May 26, 2024
Great walking program…..Please bring walking sticks!
— Review left May 25, 2024
If love a walk or a hike in the woods and want to learn more about the the redwood forests and trees then this is the program for you!
— Review left May 25, 2024
Loved the opportunity for a deep dive into old growth forest. Great hikes and wonderful ocean vistas in a unique setting. Great for folks who like to reflect on nature.
— Review left October 7, 2023
Just an eventful trip. I loved that we traveled to many locations to see
State Parks & National Parks & the Pacific Coast to see these huge majestic Redwood Trees. We learned & saw many unique areas on this trip including: the zoo, the skywalk, Victorian Towns & more.
— Review left October 2, 2023
An excellent to explore and learn about the Coastal Redwoods.
Expert and engaging leaders and activists for the mind and body.
— Review left August 7, 2023
The Redwood forest, beaches, and surrounding environs in Northern California are absolutely stunning! This is my 3rd Road Scholar program. As a solo traveller, Road Scholar provides the safety of travel within a group - it has become the priority means of travel for me. I constantly recommend Road Scholar to my family and friends, and will continue to do so.
— Review left July 24, 2023
I recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn more about the Eureka, California area. The instructors are the best.
— Review left July 22, 2023
The redwoods are, in a word, magnificent! Such a beautiful experience! Our guides, Jennifer and John were second to none. Wonderful, friendly and engaged group to travel with too. Many, many thanks to all!
— Review left June 26, 2023
This was such an amazing week! Great guides and fellow participants who felt like good friends by the end of the week. Interactive learning with layering of the lessons in a fun fashion. I will retain the info as well as the glowing feeling in my heart from being immersed in the grandeur of the redwoods and the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Thank you Road Scholar!Thank you John and Jennifer our guides extraordinaire!
— Review left June 19, 2023
This was my first Road Scholar trip and it was completely wonderful. It exceeded my expectations in every way. Our guides Jennifer and John were knowledgeable, informative and fun. My fellow travelers were friendly and engaged. The activities were varied and well planned. I highly recommend this trip and look forward to many more.
— Review left June 18, 2023
Thank you to John Ford and Jennifer Bagshaw for a wonderful experience in the Redwoods. I learned so much and laughed so much. I went on this tour to please my husband and ended up pleasing myself. It was great.
— Review left June 17, 2023
Being in the redwoods is being in a natural cathedral. The trees are awe-inspiring. Their age and size dwarf the concerns of ordinary daily life. Yet we realize all these magnificent trees would have been cut into lumber if it had not been for a few conservation-minded people a hundred years ago. I am so grateful to those individuals. Jennifer was an excellent group leader--on top of all arrangements without getting ruffled or too directive. John leads with both knowledge and passion for the trees. They are a great team and made the program very special.
— Review left June 15, 2023
Absolutely loved walking in the redwood forests.
— Review left June 12, 2023
This is an incredible program!! It was an honor to hike among the Redwoods in CA! Jennifer and John are excellent group leaders, Jennifer kept us all organized and John readily shared his knowledge and expertise regarding the magnificent Redwoods! I wanted to experience the Redwoods with the knowledge that climate change is dramatically impacting the trees! To understand the recent history surrounding the trees and the logging industry gave us a reality check as to how fortunate we are that the trees were not totally destroyed through logging. The hikes were great, not too challenging but just right on beautiful trails through the woods. Absolutely this is a FIVE STAR trip!!!
— Review left June 12, 2023
Hiking in the Redwoods is an uplifting and wonderful adventure.
— Review left October 8, 2022
This trip is a wonderful opportunity to hike among redwoods!
— Review left August 5, 2022
Wonderful trip. Our naturalist, John, was fantastic. The combination of parks, trails, and activities were just right. Love, love, love the Coastal Redwoods of Northern California!
The only thing about the program that I think can be improved was the breakfasts at the Red Lion Hotel. I would have preferred yogurt, some grains like granola, and some fruits like bananas at each breakfast.
— Review left July 18, 2022
Excellent hiking trip to CA Redwoods. Fine selection of trails. Interesting and information trip leaders.
— Review left July 15, 2022
As an active 81 year old who just completed this program, I can tell you it was just about perfect for my abilities and interests. Hiking by the coast, hiking in the redwood forests and a geology lecture - I hit the trifecta!!
John Ford is the best, and Scott his leadership partner for this trip was just as great too - especially considering this was not one of his usual programs.
I was pleasantly tired at the end of each day, but ready to go again the next. The younger members of our group were also happy with the hikes, so I would highly recommend it.
— Review left June 11, 2022
I've used Road Scholar 3 times and highly recommend them!! Your lodging and transportation and most of your meals are covered for one reasonable price. Everyone is friendly and willing to learn. I like getting information about what I'm seeing. I plan to go on more!!
— Review left June 6, 2022
This trip exceeded my expectations. Our guide John was very knowledgeable of the redwoods and the town of Eureka. John has a light hearted sense of humor that made his storytelling and talks very enjoyable. Each day was an interesting adventure and all of the hikes were beautiful and enjoyable. Highlights for me were exploring the Avenue of the Giants, walking the beautiful Trinidad beach and lighthouse, and the skywalk at the Eureka zoo. I would do this trip again.
— Review left June 2, 2022
Hiking the redwoods is one of my favorite tours. Our instructor John is so informative and passionate about the area from the history of the redwoods to surrounding areas. Every day activities were different with hiking the beautiful forests and coastal areas to going on the sky walk and other hidden treasures. I would highly recommend this and hope to go again
— Review left May 28, 2022
I attended the October 2019 “Hiking the Redwoods” trip. The Redwoods are truly amazing! It was a wonderful experience. Our group leaders, Collin & John, did a great job. Their knowledge of not only the Coastal Redwoods but also of the Northern California coast made the trip so very interesting. This was my first trip with Road Scholar as a single. No worries! We had a great group!
— Review left March 5, 2020
Excellent hiking trip through the beautiful coastal redwood forests of northwest California. Outstanding, fun and enthusiastic instructors and group leaders, fascinating stories about the natural and cultural history of the region, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the tallest trees in the world! Ours was a small group of 12. The weather in early June was (surprisingly) excellent: sunny, warm, and morning fog. Hikes were modest in length. Field trips to downtown Ferndale and Eureka were a welcome diversity to the trip. A very good time!
— Review left June 29, 2019
Spending time among the magnificent Redwoods was a spiritual experience. After attending this program, I understand the importance of preserving our world for future generations, and allowing them to experience the power of nature. I learned so much about the ecosystem that exists among the redwood forests and the enormous diversity of birds, bugs and organisms that exist among those towering trees. A life changing week!
— Review left June 15, 2019
I attended this wonderful program 2 years ago and returned this year to discover the leaders created an even more fantastic program. The program has a variety of learning experiences set at an appropriate pace. John is an outstanding program naturalist with a passion for the area and Collin is an energetic leader.
— Review left June 2, 2019
My first Roads trip. It was GREAT! Find it hard to believe there are any better group leaders than those we had. Will be looking for my next adventure!
— Review left May 31, 2019
The redwoods and group leaders exceeded expectations, and the group was the best (they’ve all been good) so far.
— Review left May 31, 2019
