Stretching north from San Francisco along the California coastline are some of the most magical organisms on earth the mighty Sequoia, commonly known as redwood trees. Huge redwoods, some of which are more than 2,000 years old and rise up to a thousand metres or more above the forest floor, are the tallest trees on the planet. Redwood National Park (www.nps.gov/redw), which stretches for 80km almost to the Oregon state line, is a great place to explore these epic forests. Another outstanding redwood display is the Avenue of the Giants (avenueofthegiants.net), a world-famous scenic drive that parallels State Highway 101. Whether you are a so-called windshield tourist or a hearty hiker, there is no question that experiencing the redwood forest first-hand will produce memories of a lifetime. For additional lodging and travel logistics try the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce (www.eurekachamber.com) or the Humboldt County Visitor Burea (www.redwoodvisitor.org).