Smith River County Park
Smith River, CA
Smith River County Park sits at the mouth of the Smith River, where a cobble beach meets the last stretch of California's northernmost undammed river before it reaches the Pacific. Birders come for the mix of river and shoreline habitat; swimmers mostly don't, since the beach here is stone, not sand.
A genuinely good birding spot at a real river mouth, but the cobble beach and lack of facilities keep it a niche stop rather than a regular beach day.
How we score beachesBring binoculars if birding interests you at all, the river mouth draws a real mix of species that the sandy beaches up and down the coast don't get.
Free parking at the end of the road; there's no gate or fee booth.
Stairs and a short path connect the parking area to the cobble beach.
Leashed dogs are welcome at this Del Norte County park beach.
Winter and early spring bring the biggest flows down the Smith River and the best birding, while summer's marine layer keeps mornings cool and gray most days.
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