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Northern California BeachExplore a Wild and Wooly Northern California Beach in Del Norte CountyHere on the northernmost corner of the California coast, you'll find prime beaches for beachcombing. You can find all sorts of treasures, including agates, shells and the occasional fossil. Poke among the many tidepools and who knows what kind of critters you'll find.
These places are wonderful for solitude and long walks. You won't want to go swimming, because the ocean here is cold and treacherous, but there are rivers, lakes, and quiet lagoons for that. There's so much else to do anyway.Fishing is big here, both in the ocean and along the rivers, particularly the Klamath River. Hiking, camping, whale-watching, bird-watching and horseback riding are all popular activities at northern California beaches. This is redwood country, and you'll find a complex of parks where you can enjoy these forests and the coastline at the same time. Northern California beaches are listed from north to south for your convenience. outside web site will open a new window.
Del Norte Coast Hotels & Lodging Includes accommodations in: Smith River, Crescent City, and Klamath Pelican State BeachPelican State Beach is the northernmost California beach, a wild and lonely place where you can go fishing, beachcombing and kite flying.Kellogg Beach ParkThis northern California beach is wide and sandy, with extensive dunes and marshes. You'll find parking and picnic tables. This is a good place to go beachcombing for agates, and fishing is allowed.
Tolowa Dunes State Park
Tolowa Dunes State Park and the adjacent Lake Earl Wildlife Area are great spots for watching wildlife, hiking, fishing and camping. They feature abundant wildlife, two freshwater lagoons, hiking trails, horseback riding, and more.
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Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National Park and the three Redwood State Parks are rightfully famous for their impressive redwood forests, but they also feature 70 miles of Coastal Trail. Enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, or beachcombing. Explore tidepools, watch elk graze or just gawk at the spectacular coastline.
The beaches listed below are all part of the complex of Redwood National & State Parks, which includes, from north to south:
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (has no coastal access)
- Redwood National Park
- Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (in Humboldt County)
Crescent Beach
You'll find a long strip of flat sandy beach here, great for picnicking and beachcombing. There are picnic tables in a grassy area and wheelchair accessible restrooms.
Crescent Beach Overlook is located on a bluff on the west side of Highway 101. You'll get a stunning view of the beach from here. This is a great spot to watch the whales go by. The Overlook also has parking and a picnic area.
Virtual Guidebooks provides a panoramic view of The Crescent Beach Viewpoint .
Enderts Beach
This northern California beach is right next door to Crescent Beach, and is accessible from Crescent Beach Overlook. It boasts excellent tidepools. Daily tidepool walks are offered during the summer at low tide.
It's only an easy half mile walk to primitive campsites at Nickel Creek, located alongside a stream and close to the beach. The camp has picnic tables, fire pits, bearproof lockers, and toilets.
Virtual Guidebooks provides a panoramic view of Enderts Beach.
Wilson Creek Beach
This half mile of sandy northern California beach at False Klamath Cove is great for strolling and has some excellent tidepools at low tide. There's plenty of driftwood, and fishing is permitted. Facilities include parking, restrooms, firepits and picnic tables.
Virtual Guidebooks provides a panoramic view of False Klamath Cove.
Lagoon Creek
Lagoon Creek is a fresh water lagoon stocked with trout. There's a self-guided Yurok Loop nature trail, picnic areas, parking, handicap accessible restrooms and firepits. Canoeing is popular here.
Hidden Beach
You can follow the Coastal Trail from Lagoon Creek just one mile south to Hidden Beach, where you'll find tidepools and the usual northern California beach driftwood. (You can also access the trail to this beach at the north end of Motel Trees, 15494 Highway 101 South.) As the name implies, you might just have the beach to yourself.Requa Overlook
If you'd like a longer hike, take the trail from Lagoon Creek 4 miles south to Requa Overlook (aka Klamath River Overlook) for dramatic views of the Klamath River valley and coastline.The river is very popular for fishing. In the summer, interpretive walks are conducted.
Virtual Guidebooks provides panoramic views of Lagoon Creek and the Coast Trail.
Coastal Drive
If you're feeling adventurous, you might enjoy this drive. It's a narrow, winding road that will take you past expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and into the redwoods at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. It's unpaved in parts and definitely not recommended for trailers or RVs.
More Northern California Beaches
Humboldt County BeachesMendocino County Beaches
Sonoma County Beaches
Northern California Attractions
Northern California Beach & Visitor Information
