Big Sur Redwoods

Along the Big Sur Coastline you will find a stand of tall and majestic Coastal Redwood trees.

Walk Among The Giant Redwoods

A quiet stroll among these ancient giants is far more than an afternoon's diversion--it's a transcendent experience on a par with standing in the nave of a Gothic cathedral and looking up at the colored rays of the sun streaming through the stained- glass windows. As John Steinbeck said about the sequoias, "From them comes silence and awe... Respect--that's the word. One feels the need to bow to unquestioned sovereigns."

The Coast Redwood grows naturally only in a very narrow strip along the western coast of America. Its range reaches from the Soda Springs drainage in Big Sur in the south to the southwestern tip of Oregon at its most northern extremity. These are the tallest trees on earth--some have been measured at over 350 feet tall--and can live to be 2,000 years old. Their diameters may be 10-15 feet around.

Redwoods have soft, reddish-brown bark, six to twelve inches thick. The bark becomes grayish and fluted as the tree matures. The upper branches are frequently damaged by lightning strikes. Redwoods form a genetic community₁ like cottonwoods and creosotes--cut down one tree and many of his cousins will soon appear to take his place. They grow quickly under the right conditions, consuming much water.

They require thick summer fog, moderate year-round temperatures and considerable winter rainfall to be happy. The shady stream canyons of the Big Sur are a perfect combination to produce lush redwood groves.

Logging unfortunately made major inroads in the past, but many ancient stands yet remain and are within easy walking distance for the day visitor.