01
Best beachside ramble
Moonstone County Park
Westhaven-Moonstone Shoreline • Pocket Beach And Sea-Cliff Ramble • Closest, Most Flexible Option
A short, choose-your-own-length wander across sand, rocks, and bluffs right in Westhaven-Moonstone.
Moonstone is where most locals send visitors first: easy to reach, easy to love, and endlessly explorable at low tide. You can keep it simple with a barefoot stroll along the sand or scramble over boulders and tidepools toward the mouth of Little River. It’s a great spot for sunset, kids who like to clamber, and anyone who wants a scenic stretch of coast without committing to a big hike.
02
Best ocean views
Trinidad Head Loop
Trinidad Harbor And Headland • Short Panoramic Headland Loop • Classic Coastal Viewpoint Hike
A compact loop with outsized views of sea stacks, coves, and the working harbor below.
From the parking area by Trinidad Harbor, the trail climbs steadily but briefly to a blufftop circuit with constant ocean drama. On a clear day you can see south toward the Mad River and north to Patrick’s Point, with fishing boats and sea birds below. It’s the kind of hike you can squeeze in before dinner but still feel like you’ve really seen the coastline.
03
Most rugged coastal feel
Elk Head and College Cove Trail
North Of Trinidad • Rugged Coastal Bluff And Forest Trail • Best For Exploring Hidden Coves
A slightly wilder alternative to Trinidad Head, with side paths to pocket beaches and wave-lashed points.
The Elk Head area trades polish for drama: narrow forest paths, rooty stretches, and sudden windows of surf far below. Short spurs drop to College Cove and other small beaches where you can feel surprisingly removed from the highway. Expect some mud in wet weather and a bit of up-and-down, but the mix of forest, cliffs, and quiet coves makes it a standout.
04
Best for easy mileage
Hammond Trail – Clam Beach Segment
Mckinleyville And Clam Beach • Paved And Dirt Coastal Multi-Use Path • Best For Relaxed Mileage And Bikes
A mellow, mostly gentle path that strings together dunes, bluffs, and Mad River views, ideal for walkers, strollers, and casual cyclists.
If you want distance without much effort, the Hammond Trail delivers long, airy stretches above the Mad River and down to broad, sandy Clam Beach. It’s popular with locals walking dogs, pushing strollers, or spinning out an after-work bike ride. Wind and fog are common, so bring a layer and enjoy the shifting light over the dunes and river mouth.
05
Iconic redwood adventure
James Irvine Trail to Fern Canyon
Prairie Creek Redwoods North Of Orick • Big-Tree Forest And Creek-Canyon Trek • Epic Redwood Day Hike
A full-day out-and-back or loop that pairs cathedral redwoods with the mossy walls and shallow creek crossings of Fern Canyon.
This is the trip locals suggest when you say you want the ‘full’ North Coast hiking experience. The James Irvine Trail winds beneath towering, quietly spectacular redwoods before dropping into the lush, vertical walls of Fern Canyon. It’s a longer outing that rewards an early start, with seasonal footbridges and creek wades adding a bit of adventure to the scenery.