California Official Visitor's Guide 2009 - (Page 17) Whether jumping for joy, sharing a special picnic, hiking, or just hanging out, families find the perfect getaway at coastal redwood parks. You can also camp on several of the area beaches [ North Coast beaches], including Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, where you might see herds of Roosevelt elk. The three-mile hike to the Tall Trees Grove in Redwood National Park once showcased the world’s tallest tree—but a storm knocked off its top, and a new recordsetter (at 379 feet) was discovered in the park’s remote backcountry in 2006. With so many parks, you’ve got a great chance of finding a secluded campsite. Summer campgrounds in Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park are close to Mill Creek, where wild salmon spawn. Driving along Howland Hill Road in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park provides a good introduction to the primeval beauty of these ancient trees. Sleeping underneath the quiet giants has plenty of pluses, not the least of which is the carpet of soft and springy needles providing a restful foundation after a long day of hiking. But if you’d rather sleep in luxury, a good base is Ferndale [ North Coast shopping], a Victorian-era town about 60 miles south of Orick, with cute shops, dining options (including super-fresh seafood), and quaint B&Bs. LISA TAGGART Enter keyword in Search box at visitcalifornia.com 17 http://www.visitcalifornia.com
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