Fleener Creek Beach
Ferndale, CA
Fleener Creek Beach Trail and the similar Guthrie Creek trail just south of it both drop from bluff top pullouts down to remote stretches of sand south of Centerville Beach, part of the quieter run of coast before the Lost Coast really begins. Neither trail is marked with much more than a pullout, so this stays a locals-only kind of stop.
Genuinely quiet and locals-only in character, though the unmarked trailheads and lack of any facilities mean it rewards people who already know the area.
How we score beachesBring good footwear, both trails down the bluff are unpaved and can be slick after rain.
Free parking is available at the bluff top pullouts.
Trails lead from the bluff top pullouts down to the beach; expect an unpaved, sometimes steep descent.
Dogs are welcome; check posted signage for specific leash rules.
This stretch gets the same wind and fog as the rest of the Humboldt coast, with water staying cold year round.
More Pacific Coast beaches
Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.