Highway 101 detour to Avenue of the Giants

Question

I am taking a trip this summer traveling down California coast on Highway 101 from north to south. I would like to see a bit of the Avenue of the Giants. Any suggestion on the best place to exit off of 101 and where to re enter to not miss any great features on 101? Also what is the detour approximate time to get from 101 to the Redwoods? Thank you!

Answer

The Avenue of the Giants is one of Northern California’s most scenic detours and a must-see if you’re traveling down Highway 101. It runs for about 31 miles through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, offering impressive old-growth redwoods, picnic spots, and easy short walks.

Here’s how to plan your detour efficiently:

Best Exit from Highway 101 Northbound: Take the exit at Leggett (Leggett/101 junction) or Garberville if you’re coming from the north. From there, follow signs for the Avenue of the Giants. The drive from 101 to the start of the Avenue is only a few minutes.
Best Re-entry to Highway 101 Southbound: The Avenue rejoins 101 near Weott or Phillipsville. This allows you to continue south without missing any major scenic points on 101.
Approximate Detour Time: Driving the entire 31-mile Avenue of the Giants at a leisurely pace with short stops usually takes about 1–1.5 hours. If you want to include hikes or picnic breaks, budget 2–3 hours.

Notable spots along the Avenue include:

Founders Grove: Easy loop trail with iconic redwoods and educational plaques.
Hickory Tree: A giant tree you can walk through (classic photo stop).
Drive-through Trees: Several accessible sites for memorable snapshots.

Tips:

The Avenue is well-marked and offers multiple pull-outs for photos and short walks.
Fuel up beforehand; gas stations are limited along the Avenue itself.
Try to visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid midday crowds and get better light for photography.

Overall, the Avenue of the Giants adds a small detour to your 101 journey but is very worthwhile, giving you a close-up look at some of California’s tallest and oldest trees without straying far from your main route.