Notable stops along the Avenue of the Giants, which meanders along the Eel River in Southern Humboldt County, include: The Shrine Tree in Myers Flat, one of only three living drive-thru trees and the only one carved mostly by nature rather than people; The Dyerville Giant in Founders Grove, which registered on the Richter scale as a small earthquake when it crashed to the ground in the 1980s; and the Rockefeller Forest, the largest stand of old-growth redwoods, which protects more than a third of the 100 tallest trees on Earth.

 The Avenue, which begins a few miles north of Garberville, runs parallel to U.S. 101, otherwise known as the Redwood Highway, offers motorists more surprises.

They include the Chimney Tree in Phillipsville, which despite being completely hollowed out by fire is alive and thriving; rare albino redwood trees in the California Federation of Women's Clubs Grove and Founders Grove; the Immortal Tree, which dodged certain death numerous times; and a giant RV made from a redwood trunk in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitors Center just south of Weott, California's largest and oldest redwood park. Look out for the giant stuffed bear driving it.

Mostly flat with mild curves, it passes hidden forest hamlets, campgrounds, picnic areas, and access points to the Eel River, a federally designated Wild & Scenic waterway with relaxing swimming, fishing and paddling spots. Numerous trailheads start along the Avenue that feature massive redwoods, some more than 360 feet tall, or five stories taller than the Statue of Liberty.

Along the Avenue, historic settlements like Pepperwood, Redcrest and Miranda have farmers markets and gift shops, perfect places to pick up redwoodsy memorabilia or picnic supplies. 

Overnighters have plenty of lodging opportunities on or near the Avenue, including 1940s motor courts, an old stagecoach inn, full-service hotels in Garberville and the famed Benbow Historic Inn. For those venturing to the nearby Lost Coast, California’s longest undeveloped shoreline, the village of Shelter Cove offers excellent oceanfront accommodations.

One historic abode you can’t sleep in does nevertheless merit a visit, a world famous roadside attraction a few miles south of Garberville on U.S. 101, the One Log House. This kitsch classic boasts a kitchen, breakfast nook, reading tables, benches, books, curtained windows and cozy twin beds.