• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-292697504842
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/california/north-coast",
  "destination": "North-Coast-&-Redwoods",
  "title": "north-coast-redwoods",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Northern-California",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

North Coast & Redwoods

California

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Image capured a brisk fall morning at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. A few whispy morning clouds coveing the sky with the sun rising on the left side of the image.

Getty Images

Overview

This is not the legendary California of the Beach Boys' song – there are no palm-flanked beaches and very few surfboards. The jagged edge of the continent is wild, scenic and even slightly foreboding, where spectral fog and an outsider spirit have fostered the world’s tallest trees, most potent weed and a string of idiosyncratic two-stoplight towns. Explore hidden coves with a blanket and a bottle of local wine, scan the horizon for migrating whales and retreat at night to fire-warmed Victorians. As you travel further north, find valleys of redwood, wide rivers and mossy, overgrown forests. Expect cooler, damper weather too. Befitting this dramatic clash of land and water are its unlikely mélange of residents: timber barons and tree huggers, pot farmers and radicals of every political persuasion.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of North Coast & Redwoods? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your United States (USA) trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden

highlights

  1. 1Unwinding Scandinavian-style with saunas and cold plunges at a beloved Nordic spa
  2. 2Visiting a local oyster farm to taste fresh shellfish straight from the source
  3. 3Sailing Penobscot Bay as the sun sets on Camden Harbor
from $3,795

per person

book this tripsee trip details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-272462116792
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/california/north-coast",
  "destination": "North-Coast-&-Redwoods",
  "title": "north-coast-redwoods",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Northern-California",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-752965904736
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/california/north-coast",
  "destination": "North-Coast-&-Redwoods",
  "title": "north-coast-redwoods",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Northern-California",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-670295379405
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/california/north-coast",
  "destination": "North-Coast-&-Redwoods",
  "title": "north-coast-redwoods",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Northern-California",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}