Redwoods vs Sequoia: Which National Park Should You Visit?
Cassie’s Compass contains affiliate links and is also an Amazon Services LLC Associates Program member. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Privacy Policy for more information.
Redwoods vs. Sequoia: Which One Should You Visit?
California is home to the most National Parks in the USA. With its gorgeous and varied terrain, it is also home to two of the most unique tree specimens in the world.
You will find both Sequoia National Park and Redwoods National Park in California.
As a Fresno local, I live between the two. With the coastal redwoods to my north and the massive sequoias just one hour east, I visit both frequently. Unfortunately, there is quite a bit of distance between them.
While both offer something special and uniquely California, if you can choose only one, should you visit the Redwoods or the Sequoias?
In this post, I will compare the two parks, highlighting what makes each one different from the other, and help you decide which is best for your upcoming trip.
Redwoods vs. Sequoia Size
Redwoods are the tallest trees on earth, while sequoias are the largest trees on earth by volume.
Both trees are absolutely massive. But redwoods can be up to 70 feet taller than sequoias.
Redwoods can reach a height of 379 feet, while the tallest sequoia is 311 feet. For reference, the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall!
Sequoias, on the other hand, are much wider than redwoods. The average sequoia diameter is 30 feet, with a circumference of over 94 feet.
Redwoods have an average diameter of 15 feet with a 65-foot circumference.
The General Sherman Tree is the largest sequoia tree and the largest living organism in the world (by volume.)
Hyperion is the tallest redwood tree in the world at 380 feet tall.
Redwoods vs. Sequoias Location
While visiting both is ideal, many tourists do not realize just how big California is- it takes over 10 hours to drive from the northern to the southern end of the state!
The redwoods are on the Pacific Coast, while the sequoias are over 300 miles inland in the Sierra Nevadas.
It’s important to note that there are sequoia and redwood groves that grow outside of the National Parks. While visiting both National Parks would be difficult to do in one weekend, it is possible to visit both groves in a single weekend.
Driving between the closest redwoods to the closest sequoias takes over four hours.
Redwood & Sequoia Groves Map
My map highlights the different places where sequoia and redwood groves are found in California.
What’s the Difference Between Sequoia and Redwood National Park?
This distance between Sequoia and Redwood National Park makes for many differences between the two. But weather, transportation, and entry requirements are the main deciding factors when choosing which to visit.
Sequoia National Park has more governance and entry requirements than Redwood National Park. The same entity governs Redwood National Park and Redwood State Parks, and some of the National and State Park borders overlap.
Because of this, there is no entry station or cost to enter Redwoods National Park. In fact, you could drive through it without even knowing you were in the National Park.
On the other hand, it costs $30 to enter Sequoia National Park, which you must pay at the entry station. There is no access to the park outside of the entry stations.
Get the America the Beautiful Parks Pass to access any park for a full year!
Similarly, the extensive shuttle system makes it possible to get around Sequoia National Park without a car. There is no transport system within Redwoods National Park.
Because they are on the coast, the redwoods are more accessible year-round than the sequoias. In fact, Sequoia National Park can be inaccessible in winter with enough snowfall. Check the status of park entry before you go.
The coastal redwood climate is known for being chilly, foggy, and damp. The temperature is usually between 50 and 60 degrees and is prone to rain even in summer.
On the other hand, Sequoia National Park is generally warm and sunny in the summer. Expect highs of 80s (26°C). In the winter, snowfall is common, with lows in the 20s (-6°C).
Which is Better? Redwoods or Sequoias
If feeling small next to an otherworldly-sized tree is what you are looking for, then the sequoias are for you.
After visiting both the redwoods and the sequoias, the sequoias have more impact when it comes to size. While the redwoods are technically taller, the sequoias look just as tall when standing at the tree’s trunk.
What makes the biggest impact is the girth of the sequoias. Redwoods are large, but the sequoias feel much bigger because of their circumference.
On the other hand, the redwoods are more accessible than the sequoias, especially in winter.
If you visit from a major hub like San Francisco, you won’t even have to leave the Bay Area to see the redwoods.
Redwood and Sequoia Tours
If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to see these trees, taking a tour is the most convenient way to visit with minimal planning and no stress. Eliminate the hassle of renting a car, finding places to eat, paying admission fees, parking, and deciding when to go. These tours handle it all!
1. The most straightforward redwoods tour: San Francisco Muir Woods Day Trip
This small-group tour is my favorite because it includes entry fees and the pick-up is from a popular and easy tourist spot. It’s a simple and easy way to see redwoods if you are visiting from the Bay Area.
2. The best bucket list sequoia tour: Private Off-Road Giant Sequoia 4×4 Tour
This private tour is the best splurge if you want a memorable way to see the sequoias. Go off-roading with the jeep top down; a must for looking up at the giant trees.
3. The best winter sequoia tour: Private Giant Sequoia Snowshoe Hike
If you really want to see the sequoias but are visiting in winter, this tour is for you. Customize your visit based on your preferences and get all the one-on-one guidance you need.
4. The best bucket list redwoods tour: Railbike Through the Redwoods
The Skunk Train Railbikes are the best splurge if you want a memorable way to see the redwoods. Ride on an electric-assisted railbike on a historic railroad through the redwoods.
Redwoods vs. Sequoia FAQ
Redwoods are the tallest trees on earth, while sequoias are the largest trees on earth by volume. They have the same genus but are different species; Sequoia sempervirens is the coastal redwood, and Sequoia gigantea is the giant sequoia.
Sequoias are older. The oldest sequoia is speculated to be 3200 years old, and the oldest redwood is speculated to be 2500 years old.
California is the best place to see both the redwoods and the sequoias. Redwood and Sequoia National Park are located in California. The closest city to the redwoods is San Francisco, and the closest city to the sequoias is Visalia.
Redwoods can be taller than sequoia trees. However, sequoias are larger by volume and width.
In conclusion, both trees are amazing to visit in California, but the one you choose depends on what you are looking for in your trip experience.
The redwoods are taller and skinnier and are near other attractions like the coast and Bay Area. The sequoias, by contrast, are much wider and feel bigger while you are walking next to them.
I hope this comparison of Redwoods vs. Sequoia helps you decide which to visit on your next trip!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
