Southern Humboldt is famously home to the world’s tallest trees — ancient coastal redwoods spanning more than 300 feet high and thousands of years old — but it’s not just our forests that are larger than life. Here in SoHum you’ll find the most wild and wonderful parts of California, from the magnificent Lost Coast and its oceanside enclave of Shelter Cove to one of the world’s most epic drives along the winding, tree-lined Avenue of the Giants. From the mighty Eel River that wends through pristine sun-warmed wilderness, to the laid-back culture of the North Coast, known for the state’s best cannabis. This is a land of freedom, of discoveries, of adventure.

Come here for the trees — stay for the wonder.

AVENUE OF THE GIANTS: UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH ANCIENT REDWOODS

As the vein that runs through the heart of Northern California’s oldest groves of Giant Redwoods, the 32-mile-long Avenue of the Giants is hands-down the best way to see the world’s tallest trees.

While Highway 101 will take you through redwood forest and some of Southern Humboldt’s attractions — including the Legend of Bigfoot, One Log House, and Richardson Grove — it’s the Avenue that truly transports you into the magical Land of the Giants.

The original Redwood Highway before the high-speed version was built in 1960, the winding Avenue of the Giants is where you’ll find classic roadside stops like the Shrine Drive Thru Tree and charming redwood communities like Miranda, Myers Flat and Redcrest.

Make sure to stop at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center, two miles south of the Weott exit, where you’ll find a free natural history museum, cool outdoor exhibits, a book store and gift shop, maps, and plenty of information for exploring Southern Humboldt.

With picnic tables and restrooms, it’s a great snack stop for families. Check out our attractions directory for other must-see points of interest along Avenue of the Giants.

The original Redwood Highway before the high-speed version was built in 1960, the winding Avenue of the Giants is where you’ll find classic roadside stops like the Shrine Drive Thru Tree and charming redwood communities like Miranda, Myers Flat and Redcrest.

Make sure to stop at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center, two miles south of the Weott exit, where you’ll find a free natural history museum, cool outdoor exhibits, a book store and gift shop, maps, and plenty of information for exploring Southern Humboldt.

With picnic tables and restrooms, it’s a great snack stop for families. Check out our attractions directory for other must-see points of interest along Avenue of the Giants.

THE LOST COAST: A SECLUDED PARADISE IN SHELTER COVE

Finding the Lost Coast is like stumbling into a secret world of wild beauty. The longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in California, the epic Lost Coast extends from Mendocino County through Southern Humboldt County, and includes the remote, craggy King Range. According to Sunset Magazine, “the Lost Coast is Big Sur on steroids.” In other words, you haven’t truly seen coastal California until you’ve journeyed out Shelter Cove Road.

Communities along the Southern Humboldt coastline are largely isolated from the rest of the state, as few roads run through the region due to its rugged terrain. Of these, Shelter Cove is the most easily accessible and your best bet for a Lost Coast adventure if you’re not up for the popular but strenuous backpacking route along the coast, the famous Lost Coast Trail.

Serving as the northern gateway to the trail, Shelter Cove and nearby Whitethorn form a small but vibrant and tight-knit community with several acclaimed restaurants including a brewery, scenic oceanside inns, a public airport, a 9-hole golf course, and popular attractions like Black Sands Beach and the historic Cape Mendocino Lighthouse. It’s the perfect getaway destination for a weekend escape from the city.

From here, travelers up for a rigorous outdoor excursion can hike south along the Lost Coast (a 3-day trek dependent on tides and season) or explore the vast, untamed King Range Conservation Area.

To drive to the Lost Coast, head from Garberville toward Redway, where you’ll find the road to Shelter Cove just past the grocery store. Continue for 20 miles (and roughly 45 minutes) until you reach the coast.

Pilot your own plane? Discover what makes Shelter Cove a beloved getaway for in-the-know California pilots when you fly in for the weekend on a clear coastal day.

THE EEL RIVER: MAKE A SPLASH IN SOHUM’S EMERALD WATERWAY

Wending its way through the redwoods along Avenue of the Giants, the Eel River — a federally designated wild & scenic river and heart of the third largest watershed in California — is a natural playground for summer recreation.

Southern Humboldt experiences warmer than average summer temperatures for the typically-foggy redwoods region, and the sunny banks of the Eel can often get into the 80s and 90s, making it ideal for picnics, sunbathing and wading, while the nearby forest can remain comfortably in the 70s.

Kid-friendly swimming holes abound in areas along the Avenue, from the large natural pool near the Women’s Federation Grove to Leatherwood Bar, a popular sandy beach across from the Founder’s Grove. Benbow also offers easy access points, including a river bend under the beautiful historic arch bridge just down hill from the Benbow Historic Inn, as well as the Benbow Lake State Recreation Area.

Find more information about swimming, fishing and floating on the Eel in our outdoor adventures directory.