Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches

Redwood National Park (Photo: NPS, from Wikimedia Commons)

With 100 miles of stunningly spectacular Northern California coastline, “California’s Redwood Coast”  was able to select the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County.  Humboldt County, home to the world-renowned California Redwoods, is located about 225 miles north of San Francisco. Many of the beaches on the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County list are part of the Humboldt County Parks system.  Be warned:  “Because of lack of financial resources, Humboldt County park facilities are considered to be more primitive than facilities managed by other agencies.” You may want to check for specific park facilities before you head for any of the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County!

Little River State Beach joins with Clam Beach County Park to the south.  Farther to the south connecting to Clam Beach County Park is Mad River County Park.  All three of these beaches made the list of Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County. And all three beaches connect with a continuous ocean frontage of sand and coastal dunes.

The Mouth of Little River (Photo by Greg Kidd, from Wikimedia Commons)

Little River State Beach, with it’s wide sandy shoreline, is bordered on the north by the Little River which itself offers swimming and kayaking. Surfing and swimming are popular attractions at Little River State Beach.

Clam Beach County Park, one of the largest beaches in Humboldt County, allows camping right on the beach with its lengthy, broad stretch of flat shoreline. Clam Beach has the distinction of being awarded a Times-Standard (Eureka, California) “2009 Readers Choice Award” for being the best beach on the North Coast. Beachcombing, horseback riding and surfing are all popular activities here.

Mad River County Park is a popular spot for picnicking and beachcombing.  Here there is a boat ramp into the Mad River which is just right for paddling canoes or kayaking.

Location of Humboldt County, California (Map by David Benbennick, from Wikimedia Commons)

Agate Beach is located in Patrick’s Point State Park.  Semi-precious surf tumbled agates and more precious jade & moonstone can be found while beachcombing here. You might even find a fishing float on Agate Beach amongst the stones, shells and driftwood.

Centerville Beach County Park, with its nine mile stretch of shoreline, is the perfect beach for bird watchers.  Cormorants, sandpipers, gulls and pelicans are plentiful.  Watching harbor seals is a favorite activity too.

Rounding out the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County are Trinidad State Beach, Luffenholtz County Park, Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, Samoa Dunes County Park, and Black Sands Beach.

Be sure to check out all of the Top Ten Beaches of Humboldt County  beach links for additional access & safety information, and directions.

You’ll also want to have a look at the California National Monument Brochure -Trinidad Gateway. It’s both informative and beautiful.

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