More fun Redwood pit stops

Published by

Caitlyn

on

February 11, 2026

After about two hours driving south from the Jedediah Smith Redwoods along US-101, we stopped along this roadside beach peninsula to find a geocache hidden along the dunes.

+1 geocache at Samoa Beach

This area seems like a super popular surfing spot given who else we saw along the way. I’m sure it’s also pretty nice here to hang out on the beach in the summer, but this day it’d continued to be pretty chilly and foggy (not complaining, this weather at the beach is actually my favorite – just not for sunbathing haha).

Founders Grove @ Humboldt Redwoods

The Founders Grove was one of the first redwood stops we had two years ago when we first visited this area of California. It was fun to visit again and say hi to the paths that still felt so familiar. This time, we found albino redwoods there… I can’t wait to talk about it.

The Giant Ear of Corn

The fabled Big Earn of Corn!!! I love you. I live for tiny road trip stops like these.

“To Pepperwood and it’s Loved Ones – Gone but not Forgotten.”

+2 geocache with Grieg, French, & Bell

Thomas Grieg was perservationists who worked with the Save the Redwoods League.

Enoch French was the first Redwood District Superintendent for California State Parks from 1931 to 1953). His dad was a logging guy who stripped the bark off of one of these trees to display it at a convention when he was a kid (1901), then Enoch dedicated his life to protecting them.

Winifred Bell was the chair of the Garden Club of America and worked on the council of the Save the Redwoods League.

That’s us. 🙂

Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center

“This tree fell near Bear Creek, December 26, 2006. The cut the date tags are mounted on is a third cut about 70 feet above the base. The beginning ring at the center of this cut is from 912 AD.”

They have a really nicely done display of ethically soured (i.e. killed by cars) animals. It’s cool to be able to see them all so up close, especially since most of the animals in this area are reclusive and nocturnal.

Grandfather Tree

The Grandfather Tree! It’s 1800 years old, 265 feet high, and 24 feet in diameter. It’s protected on the property of this iconic redwoods gift shop which is an absolute must-stop.

(Especially since they have the cutest duo of sweet grey kitties who were born with little nub tails, apparently just like their mama.)