Redwood Coast
Coast redwoods, some of the tallest trees on Earth, grow here within sight of the Pacific, with fog, beaches and small harbor towns nearby.
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The Redwood Coast runs along the Pacific in far northern California, from around the Oregon border south to Trinidad and Eureka. It is home to the coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, the tallest tree species on Earth. Much of the old-growth forest sits inside Redwood National and State Parks, which protects many of the old-growth coast redwoods still standing. Highway 101 is the main route through the region, and most visitors reach it by car.
The trip suits people who want forest walks, coastal viewpoints and a slow pace. Trails in the parks range from short loops among giant trees to longer routes near the ocean, and Arcata, Eureka and Crescent City are the main towns for lodging and food. Summers are cool and often foggy, and winter is the rainy season, so late spring through early fall is the usual choice.
Redwood Coast in five
- Download offline maps before EurekaPhone signal drops out in many stretches of the parks and along Highway 101 through them. Save offline maps in Google Maps before you leave town, and carry a paper map.Phones and eSIM
- Rent a car at Arcata-Eureka AirportLocal buses link the main towns but run few routes to the parks. Most visitors fly into Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) and drive, so book the car early.Getting around
- Fill the tank before the park stretchGas stations are spaced far apart along Highway 101 through the redwood parks. Fill up in Eureka, Arcata or Crescent City before you drive on.
- Pack a warm layer for the coastFog and wind keep the shore cool, even in summer. A fleece and a rain shell cover both.
- Check the Tall Trees Grove permitThe Tall Trees Grove road needs a permit, and the number issued each day is limited. Check the Redwood National and State Parks site before you drive down.
Things to do in Redwood Coast
See all attractions in Redwood Coast
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA required for most visa-waiver travelers; others need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected at restaurants and for taxi drivers
- Time
- UTC-8 Pacific, UTC-7 in summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain17 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Wet, stormsJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 300 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, storms
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Wet, greenFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 202 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, green
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Showers, greenMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 244 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, green
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Drier, mistyAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, misty
- MayPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Fog, clearingMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fog, clearing
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Foggy morningsJuneClear
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Foggy mornings
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh19°Low11°Peak fogJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak fog
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low12°Foggy, coolAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Foggy, cool
- SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Dry, warm daysSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm days
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Dry, clearOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Rains returnNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 252 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains return
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Wet, holidaysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 300 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, holidays
Average daily high and low in Eureka, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Redwood Coast
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Redwood Coast
01:19 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°7°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue17°10°38%Tuesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Wed19°9°19%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Thu21°8°11%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Fri18°8°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat22°9°7%Saturday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun22°11°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 12:04 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Trinidadabout 25 minutes by carA small harbor town with a rocky coast and views north over the bluffs.
- Ferndaleabout 25 minutes by carA Victorian village with dairy farms and a well-kept main street.
- Avenue of the Giantsabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carA drive through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, with groves beside the road.
- Crescent Cityabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carThe northern base for the parks, with a lighthouse and quiet beaches.
Before you go to Redwood Coast
Rules for Redwood Coast, checked
- Many visitors need an ESTA before flying to the US, depending on their passport. Check current entry rules on the official ESTA site before you book.Source
- Keep your distance from elk and bears and never feed them. The wildlife rules apply in the national and state parks.Source
- Stay on marked trails. Redwood roots lie close to the surface and are easily damaged by foot traffic.
- Customs officers ask about fresh food, plants and animal products. Declare them on the arrival form, or you risk a fine.
Plan around Redwood Coast
State parks, regions and entry rules for a California trip
Read the guideGetting around the coastDriving, flights and buses compared for the north coast
Read the guideMoney and typical costsCards, cash and what a day on the coast usually costs
Read the guideEntry rules for the USWho needs ESTA or a visa, and how to apply
Read the guideWhere to stayEureka, Arcata, Crescent City and park-edge bases compared
Read the guidePlanning hubPhones, insurance, tours and tickets in one place
Read the guideRedwood Coast FAQ
Is the Redwood Coast worth visiting?
Yes, if you want tall coastal forest walks, quiet beaches and small towns. It suits a slower trip by car, but it is a poor fit if you want big-city nightlife or dense public transit.
How many days do you need on the Redwood Coast?
Two days covers Eureka or Arcata and one day in the parks. Three or four days lets you add Crescent City at the northern end and a drive along the Avenue of the Giants.
Can you get to the Redwood Coast without a car?
It is difficult. Local buses run between the main towns on limited routes, and the parks are far from the bus lines, so most visitors drive.
When is the best time to visit the Redwood Coast?
Late spring and early fall are the most reliable, with clearer skies than the foggy summer months. Winter is wet, and the coast gets the most rain then.
Should I base myself in Eureka or Arcata?
Eureka suits a trip with restaurants, Victorian architecture and the harbor. Arcata suits a quieter stay, with a central plaza, cafés and a college-town feel.
Can you see elk on the Redwood Coast?
Yes. Roosevelt elk graze in the meadows near Orick and along Highway 101, often close to the road. Keep your distance and do not feed them.