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Six Great Beaches to Explore in Northern California
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SIX GREAT BEACHES TO EXPLORE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
WHO DOESN’T LOVE the beach and the sound of the crashing waves? They symbolize peace and happiness, and an invitation to relax and dream. It is also a place of awe, that seemingly endless body of water stretching beyond the horizon. Gazing across the ocean during sunset is simply magical. The beach is the perfect place to sit, stroll or play, and it is the ultimate place to recharge.
Northern California boasts wonderful beaches, less crowded than those in Southern California, ranging from easily accessible with your car to remote and rugged.
Here are six Northern California beaches to add to your California Adventure District list in 2021:
1: Pelican State Beach - Smith River, Del Norte County
California’s northernmost beach, just half a mile from the Oregon border, Pelican State Beach is beautifully rugged and easily accessible, with parking nearby. It gets wild and windy and is perfect for beachcombing, walking, fishing, surfing and windsurfing. Dress appropriately.
2: Smith River County Park Beach - Del Norte County
Where the Smith River meets the Pacific Ocean, this beautiful beach is a must-visit. Located just inside the mouth of the Smith River, this is a frequent home to seals, sea lions and birds. If you like to fish, this is the spot to do it.4 continued on page 62
~John Muir
3: Kellogg Road Beach - Crescent City, Del Norte County
If you have a well-maintained, four-wheel-drive vehicle, Kellogg Road Beach is the perfect beach to drive onto and have a car-based beach picnic. It is beautifully rugged and perfect for beachcombing, surfing and fishing.
4: Trinidad State Beach - Trinidad, Humboldt County
Great hiking, photography, birdwatching, surfing, kayaking and good old-fashioned relaxing are perfect at Trinidad State Beach. Easily accessible from Highway 101, Trinidad State Beach is a regular hangout for many in Humboldt and surrounding counties. It’s not unusual for people to drive from as far away as Redding to come and spend the day here.
5: Black Sand Beach - Shelter Cove, Humboldt County
You want secluded and rugged? You’ve got it. If your car can handle the more than one-hour drive from the 101 to Black Sand Beach, your torture will be rewarded with a breathtaking experience. As one Google reviewer stated: “Unique and amazing beach/seascape. The drive from Ferndale is exhausting, 17 miles of rough road, some gravel, and lots of twists.”
6: Ten Mile Beach - Fort Bragg, Mendocino County
Beautiful Ten Mile Beach (actually closer to four miles in length) is one of Northern California’s favorite beaches with vast areas of sand and dunes, and lends itself perfectly to world-class beachcombing, hiking, birdwatching, beach walking and beach equestrian use.
Do you have some of your own Northern California beach suggestions? Let us know! •
Nigel Skeet is originally from England. He moved to Redding 11 years ago after living in Los Angeles for 25 years. As a creative partner with the firm U! Creative and with an extensive background in photography and marketing, Skeet is committed to elevating the global presence of Northern California.
