01
Best overall pick
Trinidad State Beach
Trinidad • Dramatic Headlands And Broad Sandy Cove • Iconic North Coast Classic
A sweeping sandy bay backed by forested bluffs, with classic Trinidad views in nearly every direction.
From Miranda, Trinidad State Beach is the first place many locals think of when they want a big-payoff ocean day. Trails drop from the blufftop down to a wide, photogenic strand framed by sea stacks and the Trinidad Head peninsula. Plan time to wander the tidepools and then drive up to the overlook for an easy sunset finale.
02
Best for families and casual surf
Moonstone Beach
Westhaven-Moonstone • Laid-Back River-Meets-Ocean Beach • Relaxed Day-Trip Favorite
A mellow cove where the Little River meets the Pacific, with gentle waves, rocks to scramble, and plenty of sand.
Moonstone Beach has a low-key, almost neighborhood feel that makes it a favorite for families and beginners with soft-top boards. On calm days, kids splash where the river fans across the sand, while more adventurous visitors explore the sea caves and rock formations at lower tide. It is an easy spot to linger, with space to spread out and watch the surf roll in.
03
Best wide-open sand
Clam Beach County Park
Near Mckinleyville • Expansive Dune-Backed Shoreline • Great For Long Walks And Bonfires
A long, straight stretch of sand and dunes that feels remote even though it sits close to Highway 101.
Clam Beach is the place to go when you want big sky and room to roam. The broad, gently sloping shoreline is ideal for long walks, kite flying, and watching the waves thump in, and there is often enough space that you can feel like you have your own slice of coast. In season, locals cap off the day with an evening beach fire when conditions and regulations allow.
04
Best wild escape
Gold Bluffs Beach
Prairie Creek Redwoods / Orick • Remote, Windswept State Park Beach • Perfect Paired With Fern Canyon Hike
A long, untamed strand backed by grassy bluffs and redwood-covered hills, often shared with Roosevelt elk.
Gold Bluffs Beach feels like the edge of the world: a narrow strip of sand between pounding surf and misty bluffs. The drive in is part of the adventure and keeps crowds down, rewarding those who make the effort with a quiet, otherworldly shoreline. Many visitors pair a stroll here with a hike into nearby Fern Canyon for a full redwoods-and-ocean day from Miranda.
05
Best sunset spot
Centerville Beach County Park
Ferndale Coast • Rural Bluff-Backed Beach • Quiet Alternative To Busier North-Coast Spots
A windswept beach west of Ferndale where farm country drops straight into the Pacific.
Centerville Beach has a distinctly rural feel, reached by a scenic drive through pastures and Victorian Ferndale. The beach itself is long and open, with bluffs at your back, steady surf in front, and big, colorful sunsets when the fog stays offshore. It is a good option when you want a quieter scene than the more visited beaches farther north.