For many Bay Area residents, Humboldt County is the northernmost a part of California, a spot known for its redwood trees, a now-legal cannabis industry, and a historic hotbed for adventurers and iconoclasts.
The county's most accessible beaches, south and north of Humboldt Bay, rival a few of Southern California's most famous, offering miles of wide, white sand against a backdrop of mountains and forests. Some Humboldt beaches feature nationally renowned sand dunes, while others are hidden gems, nestled in coves at the top of steep trails between cliffs and crashing waves.
What makes Humboldt County beaches so beautiful is their solitude, but in the easiest way possible. Depending on the day or time of 12 months, you might have a whole beach to yourself, with all of the solitude and sweetness that comes with a lot untouched nature.
Humboldt County is much enough away—a six-hour drive from the Bay Area on the winding and sometimes two-lane Highway 101—that it just isn’t as crowded as Mendocino or Monterey. With a population of 135,000, the county can also be one in all the state's least populated, though it does have two bustling cities: Eureka, the one-time “lumber capital of California” and the biggest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland; and Arcata, the hippie-chic home of Cal Poly Humboldt
Beaches in Humboldt don't necessarily draw crowds, because the Pacific Ocean here brings warnings of frigid temperatures, rough surf, and small waves. Summer days in Humboldt also often bring fog and wind near the ocean, so local families head to inland beaches along the Eel, Mad, or Trinity rivers once they want sun, warmth, and water fun.
This signifies that the various beaches along Humboldt's coast are open to anyone who doesn't mind wrapping up warm. Surfers have their favorites, after all, and everybody else can even enjoy picnics, beach walks, horseback riding, or just a summer campfire with friends.
If you might be planning a picnic, you will see that great snacks and sandwiches within the Wildplatter Cafe at Wildberries Marketplace in Arcata, Los Bagels each in Arcata and Eureka, and Ramones Bakery and Café in Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville.
Here are nine beaches in Humboldt which can be value visiting.
Gold Bluffs Beach
While this isn't probably the most distant beach in Humboldt County, it's close. It's a 10-mile drive along a narrow dirt road to succeed in it Gold Bluffs Beach, this is an element of Redwood National Park And Prairie Creek State Parkjust north of the tiny, run-down town of Orrick. The beach hugs the cliffs and the sand seems to stretch on eternally. You'll likely share the landscape with a herd of untamed Roosevelt Elk, who prefer to graze on meadows near the beach campground.
The beach road also results in the trailhead of the famous Fern Canyon. This narrow canyon, lined with living partitions of ferns and mosses, is a World Heritage Site and was made famous by film buffs through Steven Spielberg's The Lost World: Jurassic Park. From May 15 to September 15, the park limits visitor numbers to guard the natural resources of this canyon, which suggests day reservations are also required to go to Gold Bluffs Beach. For more information, visit https://redwoodparksconservancy.org/.
Humboldt Lagoons
About 35 miles north of Eureka, Humboldt Lagoon State Park And Great Lagoon County Park serve three enchanting bodies of water that hug the ocean, forming the biggest lagoon system within the country. Each lagoon offers its own landscape of forest, swamp, prairie, coastal scrub and dunes. There can also be a fourth lagoon, but as its name suggests – Dry Lagoon – it was drained by early farmers in the world.
There are several long sandy beaches nearby that slope down into the Pacific Ocean, but persons are discouraged from swimming here. The lagoons, however, offer quite a few opportunities for water play, including kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. The shallow areas of the Big Lagoon are popular swimming spots, especially near the boat ramp within the county park.
Agate Beach, Suemeg State Park
This long, narrow beach stretches north from the dramatic, lushly forested promontory that Sue Meg State Park, north of Trinidad. Agate Beach was named for the abundance of semi-precious stones that the unique Native Americans found here and used for his or her traditional jewelry. A steep, winding hike from the park's Agate Beach campground takes you all the way down to the beach.
Beach of the State of Trinidad
This beach runs along the western shore of this picturesque seaside village, starting north of Trinidad Head, a rocky promontory that protects Trinidad Harbour and offers 360-degree coastal views on a 2.1km circular walk. You can access the southern end of the beach from the Trinidad Head automotive park, which is just off Lighthouse Road. Or you’ll be able to walk to the Elk Head Park parking zone, off Stagecoach Road, which offers climbing trails all the way down to College Cove, the northernmost section of the beach. Both ends of the beach offer close-up views of dramatic rock columns and crashing waves, with the rocky island of Pewetole Island in the space.
Moonstone Beach, Trinidad
This particularly scenic destination is usually at the highest of locals' lists since it has something for everybody. Surfers like it, couples exchange their wedding vows here, and Humboldt State University students come here to rejoice. Moonstone County Beach is situated just north of the mouth of the Little River, where the present is slow and shallow enough that folks can safely let their children splash around on warm days. The beach also has tide pools and sea caves. The popular cliff-top Moonstone Grill, An area favorite for special occasions, with beach views and classic seafood and steak dinners Monday through Saturday.
Little River State Beach and Clam Beach County Park
Little River Beach And Clam Beach County Park are a part of the identical long, open expanse of sand and dunes visible as you drive north on 101 between Arcata and Trinidad. These are popular destinations for dog walking, beachcombing, kite flying and even horseback riding. Clam Beach can also be one in all the few beaches where you’ll be able to camp on the beach. And the parking zone provides access to the popular Hammond Trail, a 5.5-mile multi-use trail that hugs the shoreline because it climbs. From the highest of the bluff, you’ll be able to see the Mad River meandering toward the ocean, past dunes that were populated by sleeping sea lions in June. The trail continues south through residential neighborhoods and farmland west of the town of McKinleyville, ending on the scenic Mad River Hammond Bridge.
Ma-le'l Dunes
Just a number of kilometers west of Arcata you will see that the west coast most untouched dune systemIn 2021, the Ministry of the Interior The Ma-le'l Dunes have been declared a national natural monumentThis Bureau of Land Management/US Fish and Wildlife Service landscape once provided all of the plant, animal, and other natural resources the Wiyot people needed to survive. Visitors can follow trails along a marsh and salt marsh or climb over massive dunes to the beach, watching in real time because the forces of the ocean and wind shape the sand into ever-changing shapes.
Centerville Beach, Ferndale
This long sandy beach stretches for miles from the Lost Coast Headlands to the mouth of the Eel River. A specific highlight of this beach is that it passes through Ferndale, the picture-perfect Victorian village. Centerville Road takes visitors through picturesque farmland before leading – seemingly – directly onto the beach. Look out for the large white cross that protrudes from the sand beneath the sandstone cliffs. This monument commemorates 17 passengers and 21 crew members who died in 1860 after their steamship Northerner ran aground on a rock near Cape Mendocino and was shipwrecked near the beach.
Black Sands Beach, Lost Coast
As the name suggests, this beach is legendary for its black sand, which provides a surprising contrast to the slate blue of the ocean and the grassy headlands of the Lost Coast, one in all the least developed coastal regions within the country. The mountains along the Lost Coast were reportedly so steep and geotechnically difficult that it was impractical to increase Highway 1 through here. The only way out and in is via the narrow, potholed and partially unpaved Mattole Road. The drive to Black Sand Beach is incredibly scenic, but allow a minimum of two hours, expect to haven’t any cell reception for much of the drive, and check road conditions before setting off.
image credit : www.mercurynews.com