Heading north on Hwy 101 from Mendocino into Humboldt County, your first encounter with old-growth redwoods will be at Richardson Grove State Park. Established in 1922 and named after California’s 25th governor, Friend W. Richardson, this beautiful park is not only a popular family camping spot, but also a wonderful place to learn about the coastal redwood forests. There is a … [Read more...]
#19 – Pacific Ocean Fishing
Shelter Cove is one of California’s premier ocean fishing destinations. Fishermen come for the salmon, which are found close to the shore here May through August. Anglers also catch an abundance of ling cod, rock cod, halibut, albacore and surf perch. They can launch a boat from the cove, which Point Delgada protects from the northwesterly winds. Visitors can buy fishing … [Read more...]
#20 – King Range and Lost Coast Trail
The King Range National Conservation Area is unlike any other place in the continental United States. Here, in this 35-mile long, 68,000-acre stretch of coastal wilderness, the mountains rise directly out of the sea. King Peak tops out at 4,088 ft., and is only 3 miles from the ocean. The Conservation Area extends between the Mattole River in Humboldt County to the northern … [Read more...]
#21 – Humboldt Redwoods State Park
The natural crown jewel of the county is Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This is the definitive spot to see the magnificence of California’s famous coastal redwoods. In the early part of the last century there was a nationwide effort to save what remained of the old-growth redwoods on California’s North Coast. Philanthropists and civic clubs began buying groves of trees for the … [Read more...]
#33 – Centerville County Park and Beach
Just outside Ferndale, discover a pristine beach on the Pacific Ocean that stretches for nine miles with dairy farms to the north and steep cliffs to the south. At Centerville County Park and Beach, have an exciting afternoon filled with hiking, picnicking, beachcombing and wildlife viewing. Sandpipers dance on the water’s edge and cormorants, pelicans and gulls soar over the … [Read more...]
#42 – South Spit Humboldt Bay & Table Bluff County Park
About 10 minutes south of Eureka off Hwy 101, visitors will find the expansive sandy beaches of the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area, South Spit Humboldt Bay. Locals know it simply as the South Spit, and anyone will tell you that if you’re looking for a beach all to yourself, this is where you’re going to find it. Access to the spit is through Table Bluff County Park, where high … [Read more...]
#5 – Redwood Adventures
Want to get away from it all and enjoy some quality time in the great outdoors? Redwood Parks Lodge Company offers full-service hospitality to all visitors to Redwood National and State Parks. It is conveniently located in the heart of Redwood National Park, Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek State Park, beaches, and just a few minutes from world famous Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Hike, … [Read more...]
#64 – Samoa Dunes Recreation Area
If you love to ride your ATV or have been itching to try the sport, head to the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area. This is a great place to go for an afternoon of launching up and over sand dunes, making sharp turns and triggering sand to shoot into the air. With more than 140 acres of trails and beach, there is plenty of space to play. Bring you own ATV since they are not available … [Read more...]
#66 – Headwaters Forest Reserve
Imagine standing under a towering forest canopy, streams of light coming through the leaves and the gentle twitter of birds coming from the woods surrounding you. This is a beautifully tranquil experience, which everyone should have at least once in their life. The Headwaters Forest Reserve, just south of Eureka, offers an ideal setting for this experience. The reserve serves … [Read more...]
#75 – Mad River County Park
For a magnificent, memorable beach and riverside experience, head straight to Mad River County Park. Here you can see wildlife in its natural habitat along the shores of the Mad River as it spills into the Pacific Ocean. Spanning many miles, the Mad River starts in Trinity County and winds through Six Rivers National Forest. Matthews Dam, approximately one-third of the way … [Read more...]
#78 – Clam Beach County Beach
Clam Beach is one of McKinleyville’s favorite playgrounds, literally offering something for everyone. Keep your eyes open for a spectacular array of wildlife, or comb the shoreline for lovely stones, shells and driftwood strewn along the fine, gray sand beach. There are excellent clamming opportunities, and the fishing from shore is exceptional too; come out and cast a line to … [Read more...]
#84 – Big Lagoon County Park
Big Lagoon is formed by a long sand spit that separates it from the Pacific Ocean. The spit is actually a continuation of Agate Beach, and a premier beachcombing location. Here the determined walker can find a profound solitude amid the elements, not to mention agates, jade, jasper, chalcedony and other wave-tumbled stones. Big Lagoon County Park is located at the south end … [Read more...]
#87 – Tide-Pooling
The best time for tide-pooling is during spring tides (“spring” in the sense of “jump,” not the season), those that happen every two weeks when there is a full moon or a new moon and the gravitational effects of the moon and the sun complement each other. These have the highest high tides and the lowest low tides. Plan your trip to the tide pools for half an hour to an hour … [Read more...]
#88 – Patrick’s Point State Park
Patrick’s Point State Park is located in the heart of Redwood Country. If you love to experience spectacular panoramas, rocky cliffs, great hiking trails and sandy beaches, you won’t want to pass up this wonderful opportunity. Six miles of scenic hiking trails thread through the park where acres of dense forest stretch over an ocean headland. Stroll under a canopy of spruce, … [Read more...]
#9 – Six Rivers National Forest
Six Rivers National Forest is enormous, offering a wide variety of activities for people of every age. It encompasses nearly one million acres and stretches southward from the Oregon border for more than 140 miles. Portions of the forest lie in four different counties, with a big chunk of it in Humboldt County. Visiting Six Rivers is awe-inspiring. You’ll have the opportunity … [Read more...]
#91 – Redwood National and State Parks
Modern life can be stressful, with deadlines to meet, meals to prepare and dozens of things to do and no time to do them. Visit Redwood National and State Parks, and all that worry will be washed away! Take your time and enjoy all that these lovely parks have to offer, with so much to do for every member of the family. In addition to the world-famous soaring redwoods that grow … [Read more...]
#93 – Humboldt Lagoons State Park
Agate hunting, bird-watching, beachcombing, boating and whale-watching are all popular outdoor activities for families along the North Coast. One of the best places to do all of these and more is Humboldt Lagoons State Park. In the early 1900s, Dry Lagoon was drained to make way for crops and dairy ranches. The effort proved uneconomical, and eventually Mother Nature … [Read more...]
#99 – Fishing Trinity
The Trinity River watershed is an “Angler’s Paradise” offering four seasons of world-class fishing. Along with its feeder streams, the Trinity River provides more than 1,500 miles of fishable waters that start high in the mountains of the Trinity Alps. The fly-fishing is legendary. Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead are the local superstars, but there are 11 different … [Read more...]
Center Activities Adventures
Center Activities is a non-profit organization providing recreation gear rental and a variety of recreational activities and private trips including kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, sailing, surfing, canoeing, windsurfing, backpacking, cross country skiing, rock climbing and whitewater adventures. Experienced guides carter to individual learning styles and skill levels. All … [Read more...]
Pacific Outfitters Adventures
Pacific Outfitters has the largest and most diverse adventure programs on the North Coast. Their store fronts have all the gear you need to get outdoors, but their adventure program offers everything from lessons, certifications to custom adventures. Whether you are interested in kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, surfing, scuba, hunting, firearms, fishing, rafting, or other … [Read more...]