The North Coast, stretching from the San Francisco Bay to the Oregon border, is also known as the Redwood Coast or Redwood Empire. Here you will find beautiful forests, beaches, and mountains combined with amazing California weather.
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Seaside Attractions
Luffenholtz Beach County Park
South of Trinidad, North of Arcata
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this park has a picnic area and a trail leading down to the beach. The cove is teeming with tide pools and a variety of wildlife.
Mackerricher State Park
Mendocino, California
Officially opened in 1952, this park contains a variety of habitats from bluffs and dunes to wetlands and forests. There are tide pools along the coast and seals live on the rocks. It is home to more than 90 species of birds. The park includes Glass Beach, Virgin Creek Beach, and Pudding Creek Beach as well as Lake Cleone and Laguna Point—a rocky point frequented by harbor seals. A pedestrian and cyclist road connects the beaches and there is a wheelchair accessible nature trail. In addition, the headlands offer a good spot for whale watching.
Marin Headlands
Near San Francisco
Situated within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Headlands encompass a variety of historic landmarks including Fort Barry, Fort Cronkite, the NIKE Missile Site, and the 150-year-old Point Bonita Lighthouse. You can also learn about the Miwok people—their history and their culture. Make use of one of the area's hiking trails or visit the dog-friendly Rodeo Beach. The Headlands offer fantastic views of the coast and San Francisco. From wildflowers to raptor migrations, there is always something to see here.
Point Reyes National Seashore
30 miles north of San Francisco
Point Reyes was established to preserve the wilderness and shrinking natural coastline of the United States. From rocky headlands and expansive, sand beaches to open grasslands and forested ridges, this seashore preserve has been home to many cultures over thousands of years. Point Reyes is a great place for watching whale and bird migrations. Discover over 1,500 species of animals and plants and learn about the many stories harbored by this land. There are free, ranger-led programs as well as trails for hikers, bikers, drivers, and horseback riders. Stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center to learn more about your options.
Trinidad State Beach
Trinidad, 19 miles north of Eureka
The bluffs overlooking this beach provide some stunning views of the coast. With plenty of tables and stoves in the picnic area, it's a great place to picnic with your family and friends. Low tide is the best time to visit this beach.
Redwood Parks
The North Coast area is home to almost half the world's population of old-growth redwood trees. Here you can see the giant sequoia, one of the largest trees in the world, and the coast redwoods, which are among the tallest. Come and experience the grandeur of these majestic giants.
Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve
Sonoma County
The tallest tree in this 805 acre reserve is over 310 feet high and the oldest is estimated to be over 1,400 years old. There is a visitor center where you can go to learn more about the area and the activities available to you. The reserve also contains a large variety of picnic facilities, an outdoor amphitheater, and self-guided nature trails where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the great redwood trees. Volunteer tour guides are available for larger groups by appointment. The main pioneer trail is mostly level with only one set of steps. There is also a wheelchair accessible trail for those who might need it.
Avenue of the Giants
Old Highway 101/State Route 254
This scenic drive measures 31 miles in length, taking you through 15,222 acres of magnificent, redwood groves, all of which you can access along the way. Take the time to hike among these amazing trees or enjoy a picnic amidst the splendor of nature. You can also go fishing, biking, swimming, or rafting. This route connects many small towns and attractions, both natural and manmade.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Park headquarters are located on State Route 254
Encompassing 53,000 acres with 17,000 acres of old-growth redwood, this park is the third largest of California's state parks and includes both the Bull Creek Watershed and the Rockefeller Forest—the largest remaining old-growth redwood forest in the world. The park offers over 250 family campsites in three different camping grounds along with group camps from environmental and trail camps to horse camps. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders have over 100 miles of trails to explore amidst the beautiful scenery. You can also choose to go fishing, boating, or swimming, or just pack a meal and go for a family picnic. Make sure to visit the visitor center where you will find fun and educational exhibits, a bookstore, and even a theater!
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Nine miles east of Crescent City
Bisected by the Smith River, this park offers 20 miles of hiking and nature trails. Most of the area is watershed for the Smith River and Mill Creek. The park also offers river access, a visitor center where you can learn more about the area, and a nature store where you can pick up some souvenirs. There are also over 100 campsites in this park.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
North of Eureka, South of Crescent City
A sanctuary for old-growth Coast Redwoods, this park offers hiking trails, wildlife study, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and beach combing. The visitor center and Elk Prairie Campground can be found at the southern end of the park. Visit Fern Canyon and stroll along the ten miles of sandy, Gold Bluffs Beach or drive down the scenic Cal-Barrel Road. You can also make use of the 75 miles of hiking and biking trails which include accessible trails for individuals with visual or physical limitations.
Other Attractions
Carson Mansion
Eureka
One of the most photographed and written-about Victorian houses in California, this building is an intricate sample of unique architecture showcasing the use of wood as a building material. The beautiful exterior can be viewed from the street and is worth a stop, but the grounds and the home itself are never open to the general public.
Ocean World
Crescent City
This aquarium features an abundance of sea life, from sharks to seals to wolf eels and more! Have you ever wanted to pet a shark? This is a great place to do it! They also offer an interactive tide pool exhibit, a sea lion show, and guided tours.
Ferndale Repertory Theatre
447 Main Street, Ferndale, CA 95536
Offering quality entertainment designed to engage, educate, and excite, this theater is the longest running live theater on California's north coast. It is located in the Victorian village of Ferndale and produces 6 main stage shows each year, plus a teen show and other special events.
Sequoia Park Zoo
3414 W Street, Eureka, CA 95503
Situated on five acres of level terrain, this zoo is home to over 100 animals from flamingos to otters to muntjacs. The forests of Sequoia Park meld into the hoofed-animal paddocks and provide a beautiful backdrop for the various enclosures. This zoo aims to provide a safe space in which people can meet and learn about the environment and healthy ecosystems.
Sonoma County Farm Trails
Sonoma County
Chart a trail through Sonoma County's many landscapes and get a taste of farm life with sheep, llamas, birds, honey bees, and butterflies. Try a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available directly from the farmers. You can also go berry-picking or Christmas tree-hunting with your family and friends depending on the season.
Sonoma Train Town
Sonoma County
Here you can explore real, full-sized cabooses from the 1930s and 40s. They offer twenty-minute train trips through tunnels and over bridges with stops in a miniature down and petting zoo. In addition they offer six amusement rides in addition to the train trip.
Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Run by the Luther Burbank Memorial Foundation, this premier, North Bay arts center offers world-class performances, education programs, contemporary sculpture, and other community events. Ranked among California's top performing arts presenters, they show performances in everything from music and dance to theater and comedy.