Trinidad State Beach
Trinidad, CA
A small fishing town beach below sea stacks and a working lighthouse, where the water runs cold and clear and the crowd is mostly locals walking dogs. Tide pools along the rocks here are some of the best on California's north coast.
Some of the best tide pools on the north coast, the water stays cold enough year round that most locals skip swimming entirely.
How we score beachesThe water is cold enough year round that most locals skip swimming and stick to the tide pools instead.
Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet on the beach and trails, but off-leash dogs are not permitted.
Humboldt County's water is cold enough year round, in the 50s, that most locals stick to the tide pools rather than swimming regardless of season. Fog is common on summer mornings and tends to clear by afternoon, with fall often bringing the sunniest stretches.
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