Humboldt County Beaches

Arcata

Progressively liberal and laid-back college town

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Eureka

Northern California city rich in history and in recreation

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Ferndale

Victorian homes and buildings dot this tourist rich community

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Loleta

Striking landscape with rugged terrain and daring recreation

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McKinleyville

An established city with natural charm

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Orick

Small community with preservation in mind

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Petrolia

Isolated and treacherous, this remote town virtually escapes tourists

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Shelter Cove

A quiet retreat for tourists in search of hiking, fishing or relaxation

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Trinidad

Breathtaking coastline defines this tiny Northern California city

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Articles

Ticks at California Beaches

It’s pretty common to see the words ticks and Lyme Disease used in the same sentence. Unfortunately, like cancer almost everyone knows someone who has contracted Lyme Disease (the author […]

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The Best Hidden Beaches of California

California has a unique rugged and irregular coastline that hides coves and even long stretches of sand from passers-by. These are the hidden beaches of California. We have traveled up […]

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Best Backroads near Eureka on the California Coast

If you are staying near the coast in Humboldt County and want to find a scenic drive full of remoteness, then we have some suggestions for you. All four of […]

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Northern California Backroads near Crescent City

If you want to explore the area around Crescent City California on backroads, we’ve done the research for you. These day trips are for folks who enjoy driving for the […]

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Shark Attack Locations in California 2000-Present

Everyone has heard about shark attacks on the California coast over the years, but where do they happen the most? We decided to dive into the data on California shark […]

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California State Beaches

California State Beaches can be found up and down the coast. They have some of the best beachfront property in the Golden State and thankfully it is protected from developers. […]

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Best California Beaches for Birdwatching

California beaches attract more than just year-round tourists — they are also a common destination for many migrating birds and birding enthusiasts. Some species make the California coast their final […]

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Maps

The Historic Fishing Piers in California

Fishing has always been a big coastal activity in California, long before surfing became popular in the 1960’s. During the second half of the 1800’s and in the early 1900’s […]

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Best Sand Dunes on the California Coast

Sand dunes are diverse natural habitats that can be sources of endless fun whether it is hiking or just playing around. California has dunes all along its Pacific Ocean shoreline […]

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Map of Shipwrecks You Can See in California

California is home to hundreds of shipwrecks that occurred over the years from the broad sandy beaches of Southern California to the rugged rocky coastline of Northern California. Some of […]

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The Lost Coast Trail Map

The Lost Coast Trail is a popular summer backpacking route along the most remote shoreline in Northern California. The trail meanders at the foot of high mountains in the […]

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Best Vacation Rental Cities on the California Coast

Some parts of the California coast have no hotels (or very few), but can still be base camp for your next vacation. Just book a vacation rental home in one […]

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Attractions

Avenue of the Giants Scenic Drive

Avenue of the Giants is a 31 mile long scenic drive that uses roads that parallel Highway 101 between Garberville and Fortuna in the Northern California redwood forests. Because of […]

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Shelter Cove General Store

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Petrolia General Store

This little store is your last option for grub before getting to Mattole Beach and the start of The Lost Coast Trail. It’s also your first option after a long […]

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Lady Bird Johnson Grove

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Trinidad Kayaking Tours

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Hotels

Elk Meadow Cabins

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Orick Vacation Rentals

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Shelter Cove Vacation Rentals

The remote town of Shelter Cove has excellent vacation rentals to choose from. Lower Pacific Drive is the waterfront road and the rental homes along that road are the most […]

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About Humboldt County

The Humboldt County coast is chock full of wild and remote beaches that beg for exploration. Just north of the Mendocino County line is the city of Shelter Cove, located at the end of a twisty 25-mile drive from Highway 101. It’s worth the drive to get there to walk on Black Sand Beach and to check out the many tidepooling coves right in town. The coast between Shelter Cove and the Mattole River is part of King Range National Conservation Area. The Lost Coast Trail backpacking route follows the coastline in this area with access to very remote beaches and the Punta Gorda Lighthouse. North of the Mattole River are many unnamed beaches next to wind-swept dunes and cattle grazing lands that end at Cape Mendocino, the westernmost point in California. The coast near Humboldt Bay is one continuous sandy beach from the small farming town of Ferndale south of Eureka all the way to Trinidad Bay north of Arcata. Along this stretch are many county parks, wildlife areas, and recreation areas. The town of Trinidad has picturesque beaches including Trinidad State Beach and some smaller beaches on the bay. North of Trinidad most of the beaches are in state parks such as Patrick’s Point SP, Humboldt Lagoons SP, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Del Norte County begins near the Klamath River and continues the rest of the way up the California Coast to the border with Oregon.