Redwood Regional Park

4.8 (3,474 reviews)

ParkTourist AttractionPoint of InterestEstablishment

Best time to visit

Morning on weekdays offers soft light through the canopy and fewer people; fall and spring bring milder temperatures and greener creek banks.

Budget tips

No entrance fee for hikers, but expect a parking fee during busy weekends; an East Bay Regional Park District day-use pass or annual pass covers parking and saves money if you visit often.

Recommended for

Trail hikers, Birdwatchers, Families with children, Nature photographers

Plan your visit

2-4 hours

About

Quick facts: A cool canopy of coast redwoods creates deep, dappled shade, with many trunks soaring well over 100 feet and girths big enough to circle if you gather a few friends. Miles of trails cut through mixed forest and grassy ridges, where you can hear acorn woodpeckers tapping and sometimes spot black-tailed deer slipping between oaks.

Highlights: Walk beneath a cluster of towering trunks that form narrow light shafts, where needles and fog smell like green tea and the forest floor glows with emerald moss. After stormy nights look closely and you might find a congregation of banana slugs and salamanders, sometimes more than a dozen under one log, a tiny, dripping world that feels like someone's secret nature experiment.

Insider tips

Wear layered clothing and sturdy trail shoes, mornings are cool and the canopy keeps temperatures lower.
Park at Skyline Gate Staging Area for the easiest access to the main redwood groves, restrooms, and trailheads.
Aim for weekday mornings or late afternoons to avoid weekend crowds and capture soft light for photos.
Carry water, snacks, and tick repellent, creekside trails can be muddy after rain.