While I rarely offer scathing reviews of my travel destinations, the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree is an exception, with this blog serving as a screaming cautionary tale to all my readers. Please don’t waste your time and money. Despite its initial appeal and promise of adventure, this attraction falls flat, like a tree in the forest, leaving you disappointed and shortchanged. Save yourself the hassle and heed this flashing neon sign screaming “STOP” that I am offering you on a silver platter. There are far better ways to spend your time and money while on the road.
We first learned of the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree by reading various travel blogs regarding “Things to do near Redwood National Park”. ✨In my opinion✨, the allure of the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree is way overhyped in these blogs, with pictures of smiling visitors navigating their vehicles precariously through the massive tree’s small opening. What these blogs fail to disclose is that the experience is fleeting, and the price tag steep. For $15 per car (plus an extra $5 per person for groups of more than five), you’ll find yourself nervously maneuvering your vehicle through a cramped space, with the entire ordeal lasting maybe 60 to 90 seconds. Larger vehicles like SUVs, minivans, or trucks need not apply, as the opening won’t fit you. Despite some websites inaccurately claiming a lower entrance fee of $6 or $10, the reality is a different story, with a sign at the site clearly stating a price tag of $15 per car (please see picture).
A hollowed-out redwood tree destroyed by a fire more than a century ago, the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree does hold the unique distinction of being the oldest among the trio of drive-thru trees in or around Redwood National Park, with the others being The Chandelier Tree and Klamath Tour-Thru Tree. Nonetheless, it remains the least popular – I can’t imagine why… perhaps due to its lackluster experience 🤔. Furthermore, the information at the tree’s site is tarnished by inaccuracies and exaggerations. The sign at this obvious tourist trap misleads visitors with exaggerated statistics, falsely claiming dimensions of 175 feet tall, 21 feet wide, and an age of 3,000 years. In reality, it measures a more modest 97 feet in height, 17.2 feet in width, and is significantly younger by at least 500 years.
Located in Myers Flat, California, along the famous Avenue of the Giants, it’s just a few miles off Highway 101. Allegedly open from 6am to 8pm (I say *allegedly* because despite visiting well within the operating hours, we found ourselves alone, with the gift shop clearly closed), it’s conveniently located about four miles south of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center. However, be mindful of its seasonal availability, as it shuts down during winter (we visited in mid-March). And while the main attraction may disappoint, there are still a few other lackluster attractions to indulge in, such as the Drive-On Log – a brief experience of driving onto a giant log, saying “Ooo, awhh” for a few seconds, and then awkwardly backing your car down – and the Walk-Thru Stump, a cramped experience best suited for hobbits.
Overall, while this blog may not inspire you to add the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree to your travel itinerary any time soon, it’s still ALWAYS best to conduct your own research and trust your own instincts. All I can say, is that our personal experience, shared among three adults (and one child), left us feeling dissatisfied, misled, and overcharged. Although it provided a lasting lighthearted “ugh, remember that time?” memory between us, it failed to evoke any lasting awe or desire for a return visit – even for my 7-year-old. While I’m still open to exploring the other two drive-thru trees, it’s mainly out of curiosity to see if they suck any less 🤷🏻♀️. Ultimately, the choice to visit this pricey tourist trap is a decision best left to individual discretion!
