Miranda Gardens Resort, Miranda

Miranda Gardens Resort occupies a particular niche that is difficult to replicate: it is the only accommodation that sits directly on the Avenue of the Giants itself. The Benbow Inn is the finer property, but it is in Garberville, at the southern gateway. Miranda Gardens puts you inside the route — in the hamlet of Miranda, surrounded by the forest, with the Avenue running past the front of the property.

The Setting

The resort is a collection of well-maintained cottages and rooms set among gardens and redwood trees. The property has the character of a place that has evolved over decades rather than been designed from scratch — which is to say, it has genuine charm rather than manufactured atmosphere. The trees are visible from most rooms. The morning quiet, broken only by birdsong and the occasional car on the Avenue, is the main amenity.

The Accommodation

The rooms and cottages are comfortable and clean, with the kind of character that comes from a property that has been cared for rather than renovated. They are not luxurious in the way that the Benbow is, but they are well-suited to a stay defined by what is outside rather than inside.

The seasonal heated pool is a welcome amenity after a day of walking through the groves. Evening campfires are available and are, on a clear night, one of the better ways to end a day on the Avenue.

Direct Forest Access

The forest is accessible directly from the property. You can walk into the redwoods before breakfast, which is an experience that the Benbow, for all its qualities, cannot offer. The Avenue itself is steps away — you can begin the morning's drive without getting in the car.

Practical Notes

Miranda Gardens is a mid-range property and represents good value for the location. Book in advance for summer weekends — the resort is popular with families and couples who want to be on the Avenue rather than in a nearby town.

Complimentary on-site parking for all guests.

The Stable Take

Miranda Gardens is the right choice if your priority is immersion in the forest rather than the finest dining room in the region. Wake up among the redwoods, walk into the grove before breakfast, and drive the Avenue from the inside out. For that experience, there is no better base.