Why You Must Visit California's Redwood National Park Before You Die

While there is no question the Avenue of the Giants will instantly infuse you with a new mesmerizing sensation, if you truly want a surreal experience, I highly recommend carving out time to hike the Tall Tree Trail.

Also known as the Tall Tree Grove, what makes this 3.5-mile hike so spectacular is that only a small number of cars are allowed inside the trailhead's gate per day. What this means is there will be absolutely no elbow-pushing or crowded paths, just you and Mother Nature.

Although you will need to skip the snoozes in order to check in at the Visitor Center and obtain a free permit, trust me, the early wake-up call will be well worth the lack of sleep because you'll hardly encounter any other people on the hike.