01
Best overall pick
Centerville Beach County Park
West Of Ferndale • Wide, Windswept Shoreline • Closest Ocean Escape From Rio Dell
A long, dramatic strand backed by dairy pastures and low bluffs, ideal for big-sky walks and storm watching.
Centerville is the closest true ocean beach to Rio Dell and feels wonderfully remote once you step onto the sand. Expect strong surf, changing tides, and plenty of room to roam rather than classic swimming conditions. Locals come for sunset drives out from Ferndale, beachcombing, and letting dogs run off some energy on a quiet afternoon.
02
Wildest stretch of coast
South Spit, Humboldt Bay
Across The Bay From Eureka • Wild Spit With Surf And Dunes • Best For Solitude And Surf Casting
A raw, exposed barrier spit where you can walk for miles with little but waves, wind, and shorebirds for company.
Reached via backroads south of Loleta, the South Spit offers a wilder feel than most Humboldt beaches, with minimal development and big views of the Pacific. Anglers work the surf while beach walkers and dog owners spread out along the long, gently curving shoreline. Bring layers, respect wildlife nesting areas, and be prepared for rougher access and almost no amenities.
03
Go-to beach for long walks
Samoa Beach (Samoa Dunes area)
Samoa Peninsula Near Eureka • Long Sandy Peninsula With Dunes • Great For Long Walks And Beach Bonfires
An expansive beach on the Samoa Peninsula where locals head for driftwood bonfires, dune wandering, and big-sky horizons.
Samoa Beach stretches along the sandy peninsula that separates Humboldt Bay from the open ocean, giving you plenty of space to spread out. It’s a classic spot for an unhurried walk, watching waves roll in, or catching a moody sunset over the Pacific. Some zones allow off-road vehicles, so pick your access point for the quieter experience you want and pack out everything you bring.
04
Top pick for beach camping
Clam Beach County Park
North Of Mckinleyville • Classic Drive-Up County Beach • Best For Camping By The Sand
A long, gently sloping beach with drive-up access and simple campsites tucked just behind the dunes.
Clam Beach is one of the few Humboldt County spots where you can camp almost within earshot of breaking waves. The broad, sandy shore and adjacent lagoon make it popular with walkers, kite flyers, and winter storm watchers. It’s an easy add-on to a day trip north from Rio Dell, especially if you want to wake up to sea air without giving up quick access to Highway 101.
05
Scenic cove for day trips
Moonstone Beach
South Of Trinidad At Little River • Scenic Cove With Rocks And River Mouth • Most Photogenic Day-Trip Spot
A sheltered-feeling cove where the Little River meets the ocean, framed by sea stacks, cliffs, and soft sand.
Moonstone Beach delivers a more intimate feel than the big open spits, with rock formations, tide pools at lower tides, and the river providing gentler water for kids to splash in. Surfers favor the break here, while families and photographers spread out across the sand and around the river mouth. It’s a rewarding longer day trip from Rio Dell when you want dramatic scenery and a place to linger.