North Coast & Inland: Arcata, Fort Bragg, Gualala, Klamath, Point Arena, Mendocino, Salt Point, Trinidad
Arcata Community Forest Trails - Arcata
Location: Multiple trailheads, with two forest tracts, East and North of Humbolt State University or East, South (Sunny Brae). Use web links for map, directions.
Why Go There? Close to downtown Arcata and Humbolt State University, there are multiple maintained short or long trail options in managed city redwood forest. Routes may offer relative solitude, but many are popular shared use trails, which can be helpful or comforting for first-time or directionally challenged visitors. During rainy season, expect mud, slippery spots on narrower, steep trail sections.
More Information: Redwoods
Humboldt Coastal Nature Center - Arcata
Location: North Spit of the Samoa Peninsula
Why Go There? Unique former private home converted to a nature center set in beautiful, fragile dunes area with a number of trails accessible on foot. Center host site for variety of programs, annual fundraising activities to support dune protection/restoration including Wine by the Sea event (October).
More Information: Friends of the Dunes
Chamberlain Creek Waterfall Trail - Fort Bragg
Location: East of Fort Bragg off Highway 20, a few miles on dirt road to trailhead. (see website link directions)
Why Go There? Beautiful waterfall on easy to follow short three mile round trip trail (there are a few steep steps) descends into shaded deep canyon containing virgin redwoods, refreshing on a hot day
More Information: Mendocino Fun + Mendo Walks
Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail - Fort Bragg
Daily, Dawn to Dusk
Location: Trailhead/parking lot at west end of Elm Street, adjacent to Glass Beach. Why Go There? Paved/maintained easy, flat walking trail along the headlands features artist made benches/outdoor sculptures, informational signs; ocean views on clear days; seasonal wildflowers.
More Information: Visit Mendocino + Mendocino Fun
Otis R Johnson Wilderness Park - Fort Bragg
November - April 7:00am-5:00pm, May-October closes 10:00pm
Location: East end of Laurel Street, directly Southeast of Fort Bragg Middle School
Why Go There? Aquatic and vegetation restored park of seven acres offers shaded walking trails, redwood trees, wooden bridge crosses a creek running through the park, overlook to Pudding Creek; right in town.
More Information: Otis R Johnson Wilderness Park
Salal Coastal Access Trail, Gualala Point - Gualala
Location: Trailhead is at Gualala Point Regional Park parking area (fee)
Why Go There? 2.9 miles of scenic trails along coastal bluffs and above the Gualala River, down to the beach; and/or connect to Bluff Top and Salal Trails for six miles round trip. A bench at Whale Watch Point offers a rest stop or possible view of migrating whales, or sunset. The Bluff Top/Salal Trails pass through private Sea Ranch, so public access is limited to the trails.
More Information: Gualala Point Regional Park Map
Armstrong State Natural Reserve - Guerneville
Location: From Guerneville, go three miles north on Armstrong Woods Road, the road ends in the park. There is free parking in the front parking lot, or can pay to enter the reserve.
Why Go There? Beautiful stands of old growth redwoods, meandering trails of varying lengths and difficulties, a campground, visitor center and a short few miles on a paved road from popular tourist destination Guerneville make this park very popular. Highly recommend visiting early in the morning, late afternoon or during 'off season' weekdays for best opportunity to enjoy trails, majestic redwood trees or even find a parking place. Be prepared for crowds, and if familiar with Muir Woods National Monument (which has some paved paths for wheelchairs, but no cars are allowed), Armstrong may be a startling contrast as cars are allowed inside the reserve.
More Information: Armstrong Redwoods + Walks and Hikes
Flint Ridge Section, Coastal Trail - Klamath
Location: From Highway 101, just south of the bridge crossing the Klamath River, exit onto River Road heading west, first left at the sign, and the trailhead parking lot is across the street from the trailhead.
Why Go There? If staying overnight at the Requa Inn (see unique lodging), or just driving along Highway 101, this easy access trailhead, maintained trail offers an opportunity to walk through an old growth stand of large redwood trees after a flat walk by an impressive marsh visited by many birds, gain some elevation (1550 feet), and if doing the entire 9.2 mile roundtrip hike, an overview of the ocean. Not as heavily used as the (fee required) Patrick Creek State Park a few miles away, a plus for hikers preferring a more solitary experience.
More Information: Redwoods Hike
Point Arena-Stornetta Coastal National Monument Trail - Point Arena
Location: Just north of Point Arena off Highway One (milepost 15.94), trailhead parking and restroom.
Why Go There? Gorgeous coastal views, maintained hiking paths with options for short or longer hike, opportunity to see migrating whales (during season), abundance of birds, other wildlife, wildflowers, especially irises. The Point Arena Lighthouse and Garcia River are nearby to the north. Very windy, bring water.
More Information: Mendocino Land Trust + Point Arena-Stornetta
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens - Mendocino
Daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, first Saturday in August special event) 9:00am-4:00pm (until 5:00pm summer and 7:00pm Friday-Saturday June-August)
Location: West side of State Highway One at 18220 North Highway 1 near Fort Bragg
Why Go There? 47 acres, four miles of walking trails through several gardens, collections, including a half-mile (one way) trail to the ocean, bluff overlook). Stunning variety of flowers, colors during bloom seasons; annual Art in the Gardens event first Saturday in August; Festival of Lights Thanksgiving weekend-December (Friday-Sunday evenings), other events throughout the year; store, nursery, cafe; senior/youth entrance discount, active military free.
More Information: Garden By The Sea
Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve - Salt Point
Location: Twenty miles north of Jenner, adjacent to Salt Point State Park on the inland side of Highway One near milepost 43, turn onto Kruse Ranch Road (easy to miss if going too fast), and drive four miles on one-lane, no turnaround gravel road until reaching trailhead parking. No bathrooms.
Why Go There? 2.2 miles of walks, especially enjoyable when the large number of rhododendron flowers bloom in May.
More Information: Kruse Rododendron + Salt Point State Park
Trinidad Head Trail - Trinidad
Location: 925 Lighthouse Road
Why Go There? Short one mile loop hike, approximately 60 feet elevation gain, along a cliff for part of the walk, offers beautiful views of the coast on a clear day. Easy access parking lot at trailhead, and expect to share the trail.
More Information: Trinidad State Beach
Additional Resources
Arcata Marsh, Wildlife Sanctuary - Arcata
Trail map and guided walk schedule
Humbolt Redwoods State Park - Humbolt
100+ miles of trails
Mendocino Land Trust - Mendocino
Guide to coastal trails, map; volunteer trail and beach maintenance/clean-up events
Redwood Hikes - Northern California
Coastal old and second growth redwood tree hikes
Mendocino Lake - Mendocino
Map of trails from Mendo Valley Trails volunteer group
Skunk Cabbage Trail - Orick Area
Trail to the coast
California Coastal National Monument - Point Arena
Trail along the coast, walk to the lighthouse
Southern Coastal Trails
Montgomery Woods State Reserve - Ukiah
Old growth redwood loop walk near Orr Hot Springs
Mendo Trails - Ukiah
Urban trails maintained by volunteer group Ukiah Valley Trail Group