Brea Redwood Grove

cklibowitz (Atlas Obscura User)

Redwoods are synonymous with the forests of Northern California, but nestled in the foothills of Orange County, hundreds of miles south of their native range, you can find a three-acre oasis of these tall wonders in Southern California.

Dating to the mid-1970s, these trees were saplings being given away by a local bank. The leftovers were donated to the county, which planted them in the shadow of the Carbon Canyon Dam.

At less than 50 years old, the tallest among this group is only almost 100 feet tall, dwarfed by the much, much older trees found up north, many of which are well over 300 feet tall.

Know Before You Go

There is a fee to enter the Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Turn right on the park road after entering the park, and go past the playing fields to a gravel parking lot. The grove is about a mile away on a well-marked trail. The trail is exposed, so dress appropriately and bring water.