California
Hiking the Redwoods in Northern California
Program No. 21404RJ
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Northern California as you hike beneath redwoods with local naturalists, learning about these centuries-old trees and their coastal ecosystems.
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
3 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m., Orientation: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby to register with the program staff and get any updated information. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with a featured expert who will serve as our Instructor and a knowledgeable Group Leader. Both will provide educational information. Travel for program-related activities will be by two 12-passenger vans unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In the hotel conference room.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Avenue of the Giants
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a 12-passenger van; driving about 85 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Hiking up to 5 miles throughout the day; maintained trails, varying terrain with little elevation gain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll then hop aboard our vans and set out for a full-day field trip exploring the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The park comprises 53,000 acres, of which about 17,000 are old-growth redwood forest. This is the largest surviving stand of ancient coast redwoods left in the world. Our Group Leader, along with our Instructor, will lead us on this hike where we will explore Founders Grove and begin getting to know the redwoods.
Lunch:
At Humboldt Redwoods State Park, we will have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Next, we will walk to the nearby Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive and Visitor Center for a self-directed exploration. The Visitor Center includes a natural history museum. We will then continue hiking in the park to learn about this unique environment. We will visit the Rockefeller Grove, a spectacular, scenic lowland grove in the heart of the state park. From there we will continue to the Drury Chaney Trail to enjoy more spectacular scenery. We’ll return to the hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We will gather in the hotel meeting room for a presentation by our Instructor on local geology and environment.
Day
3
Humboldt Bay, Old Town Eureka, Sequoia Park
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a 12-passenger van; driving about 15 miles, approximately 3/4 hour riding time. Hiking up to 5 miles throughout the day; paved and dirt paths, maintained trails, graded switchbacks; elevation gains of 200-350 feet. Sky walk is 1/4 mile in length along various ramps and bridges; 100-feet high at its highest point.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin our day with a lecture in our hotel meeting room about the history of Eureka and it's rich art scene. As we walk around Old Town Eureka later in the morning the group will notice murals and street art. Our morning lecture will introduce Eureka as a vibrant center for arts. Next, we will board our vans and ride downtown for a walking tour of Old Town Eureka. We'll walk into Old Town with our Instructor who will tell us about the history of the area as an old logging town, followed by a short free time to explore on your own.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Eureka.
Afternoon:
Next, we will board our vans and head to Sequoia Park Zoo where a local expert will give us a presentation on raptors. We’ll then explore the canopy up close during a 100-foot high Redwood Sky Walk. After the sky walk we will walk to Sequoia Park for a hike with naturalists to explore and learn about local flora and fauna. After our walk, we will board the vans and return to the hotel.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park & Kuchel Visitor Center
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a 12-passenger van; driving about 95 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Hiking up to 4 miles throughout the day; maintained trails, gradual elevation gains up to 433 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the vans for a field trip to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. There, we’ll hike with naturalists who will stop for interpretation of the environment and any other animals and plants we encounter along the way. These are spectacular Old Growth coastal redwoods trails where we can take in the sights and sounds of the redwood forests. We’ll also visit the local visitor center to explore and learn more about the redwoods.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot, we will have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Our hiking field trip will continue. We’ll then ride back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Trinidad State Beach, Sue Meg State Park
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Best Western Bayshore Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a 12-passenger van; driving about 60 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Hiking up to 4.5 miles throughout the day; dirt trails, slightly rocky paths, elevation gains of 300-325 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out in our vans on a field trip to Trinidad State Beach where we will enjoy hiking along a coastal trail with spectacular views of the coast and nearby lighthouse. We will hike to the lighthouse and meet with a docent to learn about the history of the structure and surrounding area.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Trinidad.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will ride in our vans to a field trip to Sue-Meg State Park, formerly known as Patrick’s Point State Park, with our Instructor and Group Leader. While just one square mile in area, Sue-Meg is rich in flora, fauna, and dramatic ocean views. Along the way, we’ll learn about the natural surroundings and local area. The seaside town of Trinidad — population approximately 360 — is notable for its breathtaking location as gateway to the California Coastal National Monument. After our afternoon hiking, we will return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We will gather with our Instructor and Group Leader for a wrap-up session to review highlights of our hiking adventure with fellow Road Scholars. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Eureka, CA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Oct 12 - Oct 17, 2025 Itinerary Differences:
Meals: 13 total (5B, 4L, 4D)