Walk Among Giant Redwoods in California This Fall

Walk Among the Giants This Fall

So much inspiration in this world is taken from mother nature. It's easy to see why when you visit some of the nation's most breathtaking parks, including places like Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California. This fall, as the busy summer crowds head home and back to their everyday lives and as the summer heat falls to the mild warmth of fall, is the perfect time to visit.

Though most people focus their time in Redwoods National Park, just to the north of Ferndale, we'd like to draw your attention to a lesser-known gem in the California State Park system; Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Like Redwoods National Park, this gem of a park is located on California's Lost Coast, a stretch of coastline that is largely untouched and left to its wild and natural state.

The chance to walk among the giant redwoods at Humboldt Redwoods State Park is an opportunity you shouldn't miss. The trees are awe-inspiring, some reaching heights of more than 300 feet. But as amazing as it is to walk among these remarkable, breathing giants, a trip to Humboldt Redwoods State Park also offers an incomparable opportunity to slow down and unplug.

The pace of life is slower here on California's Lost Coast, where you'll find charming towns like Ferndale and gorgeous Select Registry Bed and Breakfasts. Take a few days to unwind with us, and you'll return to your everyday life relaxed, renewed, and ready for whatever lies ahead. Don't let this opportunity pass you by - book the trip of a lifetime to our California Bed and Breakfasts today!

Visit Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is 25 minutes south of Ferndale, California, where you'll find one of Select Registry's charming California Bed and Breakfasts. Humboldt Redwoods State Park spans 53,000 acres, 17,000 of which are old-growth Redwood Forest.

Though many coastal redwoods were logged in the early 1900s, some in this area were spared. Humboldt Redwoods State Forest contains the Rockafeller Forest, the world's largest remaining contiguous old-growth forest of coast redwoods. Hiking through this park and experiencing these trees the way they've existed for thousands of years is truly a life-changing experience.

Humboldt Redwoods State Forest is incredibly accessible - and is actually considered one of the easiest places to see these trees by car. The 31-mile Avenue of the Giants is one of the best scenic drives to take in California, if not the world. This sensational drive, which parallels coastal Highway 101, is lined with massive redwoods and is a relatively flat and easy-going drive.

Along the way, there are plenty of scenic places to stop and experience the redwoods up close and personal. A couple of our favorite places to stop along the way include Founder's Grove, with its fallen 362-foot Dyerville Giant, and the California Federation of Women's Club's Hearthstone, a beautiful fireplace designed by famed architect Julia Morgan. Don't miss a stop at the Visitor's Center, where you'll find the famous Kellogg Travel Log—the world's first RV carved out of a fallen log.

Of course, there's also plenty of hiking at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. There are more than 100 miles of trails here, many of which are also suitable for horseback riding and biking. Apart from the famous Founders Grove Nature Trail, other great hikes in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park include the following:

• Mahan Plaque Loop, where you'll encounter a rare albino redwood (it's a spur trail off the Founders Grove Trail).
• Gould Grove Nature Trail, where you'll encounter some of the 300+-foot-tall trees. This trail is ADA accessible.
• The Rockafeller Loop, which takes you into the heart of the Rockafeller Forest. Here, you'll find massive trees and an understory that is reminiscent of something you'd find in a fairy tale.
• Take the Johnson Prairie Trail through the forest to the prairie, where you'll enjoy beautiful views of Grasshopper Peak.
• If you're really up for a challenge, take the Grasshopper Peak trail itself. It's the most challenging hike in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, but the 100-mile all-direction view at the top is worth the 13.4-mile trek!

We also recommend admiring the Eel River, a central feature of Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It's an excellent place for fishing, boating, and more.

More Things to do in Ferndale, CA

Though the town of Ferndale is relatively small, it is exceptionally charming and a wonderful place to relax and unwind for a few days this fall. It offers easy access to sites like Humboldt Redwoods State Park, but that's not all there is to do here.

The charming town of Ferndale is also well known for its quaint Victorian architecture - including that found at the Select Registry Bed and Breakfast in town. The entire village is on the National Registry of Historic Places. With an abundance of small-town charm, natural beauty, and beautiful architecture, there are plenty of reasons to choose Ferndale as your fall getaway. Here are a few more things to look forward to during your time in Ferndale this fall:

• Browse downtown Ferndale, where you'll admire the beautiful architecture throughout the town and be treated to some excellent shopping.
• Visit local artists and art galleries, where you'll find a range of art inspired by the natural beauty of this area.
• Learn more about this historic town, and the history of the area redwoods, at the Ferndale Museum.
• Admire the town landmarks, including Fernbridge, Fern Cottage, Ferndale Library, The Shaw House, and the Gingerbread Mansion.
• Enjoy a live concert at The Old Steeple, a former church in the heart of town.
• Get out of town and explore other popular attractions on California's Lost Coast for the day.

Wherever you choose to stay, you'll have the Select Registry guarantee of quality and comfort to rely on. To be a member of the Select Registry network, each property must pass a high-quality inspection that is considered the most rigorous in the industry. Our Innkeepers are also dedicated to personalized hospitality and excellent service, which is increasingly hard to find at impersonal and standardized modern hotels.

Start your journey at our California Bed and Breakfast below, and start planning your trip to the incredible trip to California's Lost Coast to visit Humboldt Redwoods State Park today!

Romantic California Bed and Breakfast

Gingerbread Mansion

Gingerbread Mansion is a romantic bed and breakfast in California with an attentive and caring staff. The Mansion, often described by guests as the perfect fairy tale setting, is located in the preserved historic town of Ferndale, Calif. and surrounded by the wild and majestic nature of California’s Lost Coast.

It's long been recognized as an architectural landmark in California thanks to its mixture of Eastlake and Queen Anne styles, with gingerbread trim. Inside the mansion, Victorian-themed rooms feature high ceilings, private baths, and decadent wallpaper. Some with fireplaces, claw foot bathtubs and fainting couches.  Modern amenities include flat screen televisions, gas or electric fireplaces and complimentary wifi. If you are traveling along the California coast we are your romantic bed and breakfast destination.

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