The Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Living in California has so many benefits but by far one of my favorites is the easy access we have to the redwood forests.  One of my favorite places to take my kids and friends from out of town is the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville.  The park is 805 acres of beautifully preserved land covered in coastal redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), Douglas-fir, Pacific madrone, tanoak, California bay laurel, and so many other gorgeous trees.  There are 20 miles of trails throughout the park for hikers, bicyclists, and even horseback riding. In the spring and summer months, the trails are alive with the buzzing and humming of the forest's inhabitants and flowers are in bloom but during our winter trip, we were only able to see different varieties of ferns, fungi, and lichen along the path.  Redwood sorrel, calypso orchids, and trillium all grow comfortably in the shade of the giant trees and along the waterways, you're able to spot many different types of ferns and mosses.  It's a beautiful place to pack a picnic and spend the day meandering along the paths, sitting in the forest theater, admiring the Colonel Armstrong tree and reading all of the fascinating plaques along the trails.  There's also a visitor's center where you can learn about the history of the park, the land's original inhabitants (the Kashia Pomo people), and the native wildlife.  I highly recommend everyone take a day trip up to Guerneville and take full advantage of the graceful giants and all the beauty that surrounds them, it's worth the $10 parking fee.

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