Winter California Road Trip – Redwoods and Yosemite

I recently took an epic winter road trip to two of California’s most beautiful parks – Redwoods and Yosemite. I hiked some of my favorite trails, took way to many photos and also put together a video of my adventures (see below!)
I teamed up with Nature Valley on this trip, because they (like myself) believe that being in nature has a positive impact on everybody. As many of you know, nature is my happy place… it’s where I feel most at home and at peace. I come up with my best ideas when out hiking, and have experienced some of the happiest moments of my life in the mountains and forests of this beautiful planet. I love bringing you all along on my adventures and hope to inspire you to get out and explore nature. Ready?

Explore the Redwoods and Yosemite in winter

Renee Roaming WINTER CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP – REDWOODS & YOSEMITE

Redwood National & State Parks

The Redwoods are an absolute must-see in your lifetime. There is something about these gigantic and ancient trees that leave any visitor feeling humbled and in awe. The term “Redwoods” is generally used to talk about the beautiful Redwood trees in Redwood National Park and various State Parks. We explored a number of these parks and this is what I recommend to do/see:

Must do hikes:

  • Fern Canyon Trail: 1:1-miles, located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
  • Prairie Creek Trail – Foothill Trail Loop: 2.6-miles, located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Be sure to check out the “Big Tree” along the trail!
  • Tall Trees Grove Trail: 4-miles, located in Redwood National Park. You need to obtain a (free) permit from one of the park visitor centers before hiking.
  • Boy Scout Trail: 5.3-miles, located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
  • Gould Grove Nature Loop Trail: 0.7-mile, located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Renee Roaming WINTER CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP – REDWOODS & YOSEMITE

Must Do Scenic drives:

  • Bald Hills Road: located mostly in Redwood National Park.
  • Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway: located mostly in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
  • Howland Hill Road: located mostly in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
  • Avenue of the Giants: located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Richardson Grove State Park.

Renee Roaming WINTER CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP – REDWOODS & YOSEMITE

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Yosemite is like no where else on this planet… its waterfalls, valleys, towering granite walls and lush meadows are all astonishing (and will have you booking your return trip as soon as possible!) This was my fifth visit to Yosemite and I know I will be back again. Note, the recommendations discussed below are for during the winter and off-peak months, when many of the summer trails etc. are closed.

MUST DO HIKES:

  • Lower Yosemite Fall Trail: 0.5-miles from the trailhead, or 1.5-miles roundtrip from Yosemite Village.
  • Bridalveil Fall Trail: 0.5-miles roundtrip from the parking lot
  • Mirror Lake: 2.4-miles if taking the shuttle bus, or another 1.5-miles from Half Dome Village (Curry Village).
  • Artist Point: 2-miles, from the Tunnel View Parking lot.
  • Inspiration Point: 2.6-miles, from the Tunnel View Parking lot and provides similar but higher views over the Valley in comparison to Artist Point.
  • The Mist Trail (to Vernal Falls): 3-miles, the trail to Nevada Falls is usually closed in winter.
  • Four-mile Trail: 9.4-miles, from the Valley to Glacier Point (open some of winter).

Renee Roaming WINTER CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP – REDWOODS & YOSEMITE

Photography hot spots:

  • Tunnel View: best at sunrise or sunset, especially if there is low fog in the valley or a snow storm is clearing.
  • Valley View: best at sunrise but also pretty in the late afternoon/sunset.
  • Cathedral Beach: best at sunrise, especially after some snow fall.
  • Artist Point: best at sunset when golden/pink light is hitting El Capitan.
  • Yosemite Falls: best shot during the day or morning in overcast weather or ambient light.
  • Firefall at Horsetail Falls: a phenomenon that happens around the second week of February, when light hitting Horsetail Falls make it appear like lava or fire.

Renee Roaming WINTER CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP – REDWOODS & YOSEMITE



WHAT TO PACK

Winter trips can be so much fun IF you pack the right things! Because I mean no one likes being cold and hangry…

  • Warm clothing: I would suggest a rain coat, warm parka/down down jacket, thermal layers, warm socks, beanie, gloves and neck warmer/scarf. Pack items that can be layered for a range of temperatures and conditions.
  • Waterproof shoes: Warm, waterproof hiking shoes are probably your best bet if you plan on getting out and exploring, especially in snowy/wet conditions.
  • Your camera: Do I even need to give an explanation?! You will want to take SO many photos in these beautiful parks.
  • Lots of snacks: Of course it is a must to bring snacks! Winter time often means limited places to eat, so having some of your favorite go-to snacks are a great idea. My favorite this trip were the Nature Valley Dark Chocolate, Peanut & Almond Sweet & Salty Granola Bars… SOOOO yummy!
  • National Park Pass: You can pick one up from the park entry stations at the beginning of your visit, or prior online or over the phone. U.S. National Park entrance fees vary from $10-$30 per day (depending on the park), or $80 annually. There are also some free entry days throughout the year (e.g. National Public Lands Day). Check out the nps.gov website for more information.

Renee Roaming WINTER CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP – REDWOODS & YOSEMITE

WHERE TO STAY

There are various options for accommodation in each of the parks, including camping and more luxurious stays. We opted to stay at a nearby motel in Redwoods and an Airbnb 20-minutes outside of the Valley for our visit to Yosemite. Here are some options:

  • Redwoods: Crescent City is a brilliant spot to base yourself to explore the Redwood National and State Parks. It is also a relatively affordable town with motels, RV parks, tent camping, Airbnbs, and water-front hotels.
  • Yosemite: Most people want to stay in the Valley due to its proximity to most sights and activities. There are hotel, camping and cabin-style options in the Valley, or many visitors choose to stay just outside of the park and commute in. West Yosemite has some Airbnb options, El Portal has a lodge and hotel, and Mariposa has various accommodations.

Renee Roaming WINTER CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP – REDWOODS & YOSEMITE

VIDEO OF MY ADVENTURE

PIN THIS!

Renee Roaming WINTER CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP – REDWOODS & YOSEMITE

 

Like road trips? Check these out!

Road Trip to all 59 American National Parks

10 Tips to Feeling More at Home on the Road

Ultimate Alberta Canada Winter Road Trip

 

Disclaimer: This trip and blog post were in partnership with Nature Valley. As always, my opinions, recommendations and tips are all honest and unbiased.

 

 

22 comments

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  2. nice post thanks for posting this,
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  3. Hi Renee! I hope you’re doing well. My friend and I are planning on visiting the same two places on our road trip in January- I was wondering how the drive to Yosemite/Redwood was in the winter time? Was there snow on the roads on your way up?

  4. Hello Renee your blog is wonderful and is helping my husband and I plan our Christmas trip to Yosemite and the Redwoods. Our biggest question was when in the winter did you travel? We are looking at the end of December and are hoping to explore the trails you hiked. Another question I have as an amateur photographer…how on earth did you capture the fog so well?

    1. Hi Angelee! We did this winter trip in early January. It was pretty much straight after New Years from memory. To answer your fog question, it was mainly just luck! You can’t really create that affect without the fog being there naturally. It was so beautiful to see!

  5. just discovered your blog, was super happy to see this post, I grew up playing and camping in those redwoods and my dad is from Crescent City, Ca. and we lived in Klamath, Ca. It was an awesome place grow up, so this brought back wonderful, happy memories.

  6. I must say you have included great pictures, which make your post look more amazing, thanks for this elegant writing, Will definitely plan my earliest visit to this beautiful place heaven on earth. Keep Sharing love.
    TravelJi: http://travelji.com

  7. Hi Renee, Your photos and tips are fantastic. Just wanted to mention that, for places to stay around Redwood National Park, the nearby towns of Trinidad and Eureka have lots to offer too, in terms of lodging, food, and things to do in town.

  8. I’m from Humboldt originally – I do want to suggest Rockefeller State Park, because anyone driving up 101 from the south will go right by it. Rockefeller has flat out the most enormous fallen logs you will every see in your life. You’ll feel like an ant. Kids love that park. Driving north from Rockefeller, check out historic Victorian Ferndale, Old Town Eureka, and Arcata, a college town with a funky plaza. The national park and prairie creek are 45 min north of Arcata. If you keep going past Prairie Creek, to the very far north, Jedediah Smith State Park on Highway 199 is a can’t miss for massive trees and some recently expanded trails.

  9. Fabulous blog ! this info will be really helpful for our planned trip to Yosemite.
    Keep up the great work u do !
    PS. i love the nature valley bars too 🙂

  10. Your photos look so dreamy (as always) and the travel tips are fantastic! I love how huge everything is in the Redwoods—ferns, bushes, fallen logs, and of course the majestic trees. It’s such a fun perspective to walk around there. It’s one of my dreams to visit Yosemite in the winter. We’ve only been in the height of summer and it was so busy. Really want to see it in the quieter season. I bet it’s just magical!

  11. Yosemite is my favorite place on earth! (I got married there, so I really mean it–haha.) I’d add another one to the must do list for avid hikers: Upper Yosemite Falls to Yosemite Point! It is 1,000% worth the extra mile (literally) from the top of the falls to the point. We went in March 2 years ago and were literally the only ones up there. It was so amazing.
    That said, I’ve never been to the redwoods! I really need to go ASAP. I loved watching your IG stories and posts about this trip, especially the misty redwoods–swoon. Thanks to Nature Valley for making it happen. Those infamous green bars were my OG hiking snack for my entire childhood!

  12. I love the video! I hope you make more YouTube videos! I also really like the layout of this post with the hiking trails, scenic drives, and what to pack. Well done, Renee!

  13. Oh Renee you capture the beauty of the places you visit so well! I still haven’t made it to the US but Yosemite is definitely on my bucket list for when I do get there. Loved your packing tips!
    Jayde x
    jaydearchives.com

  14. Wow Renee your blog posts are getting better and better each time. These photos are amazing and as always great info.

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