Guthrie Creek Beach

Guthrie Creek Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination near Eureka. It’s a little-known sandy strip with a creek sometimes flowing through the driftwood and sand to meet the Pacific Ocean.

The Guthrie Creek Trail follows an old closed road that switchbacks down for about one mile to Guthrie Creek Beach. Note that the last section of trail is labeled as unstable by the BLM so be careful in this final stretch. This area at the mouth of Guthrie Creek is a scenic spot with headlands and cliffs crumbling high above the beach. At the base of these steep walls you can find fossils embedded in the compacted ash and sandstone. Watch for dangerous rocks and debris falling from the cliffs.

Guthrie Creek was added to California Coastal National Monument by President Obama in 2016.

To get here from the small town of Ferndale, turn onto Ocean Avenue which becomes Centerville Road and look for the sign and parking area near the end of the road. It’s about an eight mile drive and passes by another great beach hike at Fleener Creek. This trailhead and the beach are both managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Arcata Field Office.

Address

8028 Centerville Rd
Ferndale, CA 95536

Phone

707-825-2300

Park Name

California Coastal National Monument, Bureau of Land Management

Owner

BLM

Pet Details

Dogs allowed off leash

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Hiking, Beachcombing, Birdwatching

Amenities

Trails, Toilet, Creek, Driftwood, Fossils

Links

Topo Map of Guthrie Creek
Tide Chart
Water Temps