California is home to some really big things.
We’re talking trees so tall they seem to disappear into the sky, trunks wider than your living room, and branches that have been around since before the Roman Empire.
From misty coastal forests to sunny mountain groves, California has some of the most mind-blowing giant trees on the planet.
If you want to walk through a tree (yes, literally), drive along scenic roads lined with towering giants, or just stare up in total awe, this state has you covered.
So, where exactly can you find these colossal wonders?
Keep reading, because we’re about to take you on a tour of the biggest, oldest, and most legendary trees in California.
1. Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks, located along Northern California’s wild and misty coast, are home to the tallest trees on Earth.
Here you’ll find massive coastal redwoods that can soar over 350 feet high, like natural skyscrapers.
Beyond the giant trees, you’ll also find fern-filled canyons and scenic drives like the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, where you can roll down your windows and feel tiny beneath the towering canopy.
Fun fact: Hyperion, the world’s tallest known tree at 380.8 feet (measured in 2019), lives here—but its exact location is a secret to protect it from curious visitors.
2. Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods State Park is where you’ll find the legendary Avenue of the Giants—a 31-mile drive through some of the most jaw-dropping redwood groves on the planet.
These trees aren’t just tall—they’re ancient, with some over 2,000 years old and trunks so wide that you could fit several people inside.
Don’t miss Founders Grove for a classic redwood experience or the Dyerville Giant, a fallen tree that was once taller than the Statue of Liberty.
3. Kings Canyon National Park
Located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, Kings Canyon National Park is where you’ll meet the General Grant Tree—aka “The Nation’s Christmas Tree”.
This colossal giant sequoia stands at 267.4 feet tall, with a base circumference wider than most city streets.
Unlike the coastal redwoods, these trees are chunkier and more massive, with thick, cinnamon-colored bark that makes them look straight out of a prehistoric movie set.
While the sequoias steal the show, the park’s deep glacier-carved canyon and roaring Kings River make it a perfect spot to hike, picnic, and feel absolutely tiny in the best way possible.
4. Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Calaveras Big Trees State Park is where giant sequoias meet Gold Rush history.
Yep, these trees have been wowing visitors since 1852, when a hunter stumbled across the massive Discovery Tree.
That poor tree was cut down in 1853 (people even held a dance party on its stump).
But today you can still walk through groves of towering giants along easy trails like the North Grove Trail.
For an extra adventure, check out the South Grove, where fewer crowds and even bigger trees make you feel like you’ve stepped into nature’s VIP section.
5. Muir Woods National Monument
If you’re located in the Bay area, then Muir Woods National Monument is just a short 45-minute drive across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.
These coast redwoods aren’t the tallest in California, but at up to 258 feet high, they’re still mind-blowingly big.
Plus the trails here are mostly flat and super accessible!
Walk the main boardwalk trail along Redwood Creek, where the sunlight filters through the trees, and keep an eye out for banana slugs sliming their way across the forest floor.
6. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
California’s oldest state park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, sits in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is home to some seriously ancient trees—some over 1,000 years old.
Even after the 2020 wildfire, the massive redwoods are still standing strong, with new life already sprouting from the forest floor.
Take the Redwood Loop Trail for an easy stroll through the trees, or hike the portions of Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail that have recently reopened if you’re up for a bigger adventure.
7. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is where you’ll find the biggest tree on Earth—General Sherman, which stands at a mind-blowing 274.9 feet tall and weighs over 2,000 tons.
These giant sequoias aren’t just tall; they’re also ridiculously thick, with trunks so massive you’ll feel like a tiny action figure standing next to them.
After meeting the big guy, take the Congress Trail to wander through groves with names like the Senate and the House.
Alternatively you can climb Moro Rock for panoramic views that stretch across the Great Western Divide.
8. Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park
Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 giant sequoias, including the Grizzly Giant—a 209-foot-tall behemoth with branches nearly 7 feet in diameter.
One of the coolest stops here is the California Tunnel Tree, where you can literally walk through the base of a living sequoia.
The easy Big Trees Loop Trail is perfect for a quick visit, but if you’re up for a longer trek, the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail takes you past the biggest stars of the grove.
9. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Located way up near the Oregon border, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park feels like stepping into a movie set.
Probably because its misty, otherworldly groves are believed to have inspired scenes in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, though the exact filming locations are still debated.
This park features wild, untouched forest, with enormous coast redwoods crowding right up to the edges of the narrow, winding Howland Hill Road.
For a fairytale vibe, hike the Stout Grove Trail, where the sunlight slices through the towering trees and makes the whole place glow.
10. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, you can wander among the towering redwoods and hop on a historic steam train that chugs through the forest.
The easy Redwood Grove Loop Trail takes you past giants that have stood here for over 1,500 years, including the famous Fremont Tree, which has a hollowed-out trunk big enough to step inside.
After exploring the redwoods, head over to the nearby Roaring Camp Railroads for a ride through the mountains, complete with the nostalgic sounds of a real steam whistle.
11. Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, located in Sonoma County near the town of Guerneville, is a peaceful, crowd-free alternative to the more famous redwood spots.
Here, you can stroll the Pioneer Nature Trail to meet Colonel Armstrong, a 1,400-year-old giant tree standing 308 feet tall, without dodging selfie sticks every few steps.
The forest here has a quiet, almost magical vibe—perfect for a relaxed walk after wine tasting in the nearby Russian River Valley or a picnic under the massive canopy.
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