The Tallest Trees, Nude Beaches, Swimming Holes: Hidden Northern California Coast Exposed

The Tallest Trees, Nude Beaches, Swimming Holes: Hidden Northern California Coast Exposed

Several years ago, I wrote a guidebook called Best Places to the Northern California Coast. I started at the Oregon Border and took every road — dirt or paved — that headed toward the sea, all the way to Big Sur. It took me months, but I discovered amazing places on my journey, some of which I’d like to share with you. More importantly, each of these getaways is a great excuse to get outside and spend the weekend exploring the California Coast.

Featured Photo: Anchor Lee

Tall Trees Grove, Redwood National Forest

A narrow dirt path winds through a dense forest of towering redwood trees, typical of Northern California getaways. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled light on the lush ferns and undergrowth lining the forest floor. The atmosphere is serene and tranquil.
Photo: Courtesy of Dan Meyers

Did you know that California is home to the tallest living things in the world? It’s true. In fact, it’s difficult to explain the feeling you get walking among the ancient trees within Redwood National Park’s Tall Trees Grove, one of the least-visited wonders of the world. It’s all so incredibly beautiful and spiritually moving that one can see why people are willing to chain themselves to these trees to protect what little remains of them. 

Bring a blanket and picnic basket when you visit, as you’ll want to spend all day exploring the forest, relaxing under the sun-streaked canopy, and watching river otters play in the emerald-green Smith River.

Howard Creek Ranch Secret Getaway

A picturesque white house with a wrap-around porch is nestled among lush greenery and trees at the base of a foggy, forested hill. A white picket fence surrounds the property, adding to the serene countryside atmosphere, making it one of the ideal Northern California getaways.
Photo: Courtesy of @HowardCreekRanchInn : John Krzesinski

This isolated, 40-acre Howard Creek Ranch, located off a remote stretch of Highway 1 near the tiny town of Westport (north of Mendocino), appeals to travelers who really want to get away from it all. 

You’ll revel in the peace and quiet of this rustic retreat, which Mendocino County has designated as a historic site. For more than two decades, proprietors Sally and Charles Grigg have been renting out five cabins and eight guest rooms in the farmhouse and renovated railroad barn. Set back just a few hundred yards from an ocean beach, the farmhouse and barn are on opposite sides of Howard Creek, connected by (among other routes) a 75-foot-long swinging footbridge. The rooms in the farmhouse feature separate sitting areas, antiques, and homemade quilts. In the morning, Sally rings the breakfast bell to alert her guests that it’s eatin’ time. The fare is definitely worth getting out of bed for.

Little River Cemetery's Secret Sinkhole

A coastal scene with tall, red and yellow flowers in the foreground, a mix of shrubs and trees, and the ocean visible in the background. A cottage with a red roof sits on the right side under a clear blue sky—perfect for Northern California getaways.
Photo: Courtesy of Don DeBold

Known by locals as the Little River Blowhole, this almost perfectly circular (and massive!) sinkhole is simply amazing. At low tide, you can walk through the wave-cut tunnel to the tide pools at the bottom of the bluff; at high tide, you can sit on the tiny sandy beach and look at the tunnel as the waves blast through. Either way, the feeling of being within this natural phenomenon is almost eerie. 

To get here, park across from the Little River Cemetery on Highway 1, walk to the southwest corner of the cemetery. The sinkhole is only a few dozen yards down the trail.

Santa Cruz's Secret Swimming Hole

Two people are standing at the edge of a shallow, rocky river in a forested area with tall trees and a rocky hillside. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting light on the clear water and lush greenery surrounding this idyllic Northern California getaway.
Photo: Courtesy of @saltandsollife

The perfect antidote to an overdose of office work is a walk through the redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Only a few miles from downtown Santa Cruz on Highway 9, the park has 30 miles of trails through thick, cool forests and golden meadows. Top pick for a leisurely walk is the 3/4-mile Redwood Grove Trail, a wide and flat loop around an ancient stand of giant redwoods. Periodically, docent-led tours/hikes take off from Nature Center; definitely call ahead or check their calendar for dates/times. 

(Secret Tip: About 1-1/2 miles south of the main entrance on Highway 9 is the Ox Road Parking Lot. Park here for free, then take the short trail down to the locals’ favorite swimming hole, the Garden of Eden.)

Half Moon Bay's Hidden Tide Pool

Two young children play in the shallow water at the beach during one of their Northern California getaways. One child, shirtless and wearing shorts, leans forward smiling, while the other, in denim overalls, stands facing him. The sky is clear, and mountains are visible in the background.
Photo: Courtesy of Limor Zellermayer

Get back in touch with your inner child and spend the day plonking through one of the best tide pools in the Bay Area, the James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Here, you can observe and touch weird and slimy things living or growing on the rocks.  

Located about seven miles north of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1, the James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is one of the most diverse tidal basins on the West Coast and one of the safest, thanks to a wave-buffering rock terrace 150 feet from the beach. Call before coming to find out when it’s low tide (all the sea creatures are hidden at high tide) and to get information on the docent-led tour schedules (usually offered on Saturday). It’s an entertaining — and highly educational — way to spend the day with the family.

The Beautiful Beaches of Bodega Bay

Ocean waves crash against rocky outcrops under a clear blue sky. Small, dark rocks are scattered throughout the water, and the distant horizon meets the vast expanse of the sea. The coastline of Northern California getaways appears rugged, with waves creating white foam around the rocks.
Photo: Courtesy of Bill Aboudi

Surrounding Bodega Bay are some of the prettiest beaches along the coast, with numerous tide pools, rocky bluffs, hiking trails, and one heck of a gorgeous drive along Highway 1. While all the beaches are pretty much the same — divine — the safest for kids is Doran Park Beach, located just south of Bodega Bay. 

When the water’s rough everywhere else, Doran is still calm enough for swimming. A bonus: the adjacent Doran mud flats are a favorite haunt of egrets, big-billed pelicans, and other seabirds.

Stinson Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

A wide meadow stretches into the distance, filled with bright green grass and scattered patches of purple wildflowers. Trees border the meadow and cover distant hills under a clear blue sky. A group of people can be seen far in the background, enjoying one of the many picturesque Northern California getaways.
Photo: Courtesy of Audubon Canyon Ranch

A short drive north of Stinson Beach on Highway 1 leads to Bolinas Lagoon, a placid saltwater expanse that serves as a refuge for numerous shorebirds and harbor seals. 

Across from the lagoon is the Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Martin Griffin Preserve, a 1,000-acre wildlife sanctuary that supports a major heronry of great blue herons. This is the premier spot along the Pacific Coast to watch the immense, graceful seabirds as they court, mate, and rear their young — all accomplished on the tops of towering redwoods. 

Admission is free, though donations are requested. Check their website before visiting to see when their guided walks are taking place.

Steep Ravine Environmental Cabins

A serene coastal scene featuring several rustic wooden cabins with orange roofs on a grassy hillside, perfect for Northern California getaways. The blue ocean stretches out in the background under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds. Large rocks are scattered in the foreground.
Photo: Courtesy of Ally Tanner

Once the private getaway of powerful Bay Area politicians (who lost their long-term leases in a battle with the state, poor dears), this cluster of small cabins is now available to those lucky enough to snag a reservation and who don’t mind bringing their own sleeping bag and pad. 

Platform beds, running water, wood-burning stoves, and outhouses are provided, but there is no electricity, no bathrooms, and firewood costs extra.

Mavericks Beach

A surfer expertly rides a massive wave on a pink surfboard under a clear blue sky, making the most of Northern California getaways. The wave is towering and curling, showing the power of the ocean. Positioned on the left side, water splashes around them in this breathtaking coastal adventure.
Photo: Courtesy of Gary Draluck Photography

If the name sounds familiar, that’s because this local Half Moon Bay surf spot makes international headlines each year as the winter destination for some of the world’s best big wave surfers, who compete here when wave conditions are favorable. 

On calmer days, though, secluded Mavericks Beach is still an excellent place to escape the weekend crowds because, although everyone’s heard about the beach, few know where it is, and you won’t find it on any map. 

Here’s the scoop: From Capistrano Road at Pillar Point Harbor, turn left on Prospect Way, left on Broadway, right on Princeton, then right on Westpoint to the West Shoreline Access parking lot (on your left). Park here, then continue up Westpoint on foot toward the Pillar Point Satellite Tracking Station. Take about 77 steps, and on your right will be a trailhead leading to legendary Mavericks Beach, a short distance away.

Fort Funston

A joyful, wet golden retriever stands in shallow ocean waves at the beach, a true highlight of Northern California getaways. The dog has its tongue hanging out, looking happy and playful as waves crash around it. The sun is shining, adding to the lively and cheerful scene.
Photo: Courtesy of Elisa Kennemer

It’s a sure bet most San Franciscans have never heard of Fort Funston, and even fewer have been there, which, considering all the park has to offer, is their loss. 

Located at the south end of Ocean Beach (off Skyline Boulevard), Fort Funston has a little something for humans and canines alike. Fort Funston is even one of the nation’s premier hang-gliding spots: a wheelchair-accessible viewing deck has been built on the bluff so that spectators can watch the pilots run off the edge (always a nerve-rattling thrill). Fort Funston is also one of the best and most popular doggie parks in the Bay Area, with plenty of sand dunes, trails, and wide-open spaces where dozens of happy and sociable dogs play daily.  

Combine all this with miles of easy walking trails along the dunes and down to the nearly deserted beach, and it becomes a mystery why Fort Funston is still so little-known.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach Nude Beach

A serene Northern California coastline at sunset with rugged cliffs covered in greenery on the left and golden sand meeting gentle ocean waves on the right. The sky is painted in soft hues of orange, pink, and blue as the sun sets over the horizon. Perfect for unforgettable getaways.
Photo: Courtesy of The Housewrighter/Facebook

Here’s something you don’t often see — a clothing-optional beach run by the government. Gray Whale Cove State Beach, a glorious little gold-sand beach hidden between two enormous bluffs, is located on the southern slope of Devil’s Slide, 1.4 miles north of the Chart House (heading south, look for the first dirt parking lot on your left). 

Looking to sunbathe au natural? You’ll want to find Edun Beach on the north end of Gray Whale Cove

The beach is open 8am to sunset; no cameras or binoculars are permitted; 650.726.8819. 

*Warning: Be very careful when crossing the highway on foot, as cars come screaming around the corner. 

Across from the beach is McNee Ranch State Park, virtually unknown and recognizable only by the rusty yellow gate blocking the trailhead. The first part of the 3 3/4-mile hiking/biking trail to the top of Montara Mountain is a real lung-buster, but the reward — unsurpassed views of the entire Bay Area and beyond — makes it worth the effort; 650.726.8819.

Davenport

A panoramic view of a rugged Northern California coastline with steep cliffs and waves crashing against the shore. The sky is overcast, creating a misty atmosphere over the ocean. A narrow strip of sandy beach is visible at the base of the cliffs, perfect for tranquil getaways.
Photo: Courtesy of Alejandra Giler Photography

About 10 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1 is the former whaling and lumber-shipping town of Davenport, which now serves mainly as a snack stop for road-weary travelers. 

At the Whale City Bakery, Bar & Grill, you can get an ample slice of hot apple or pecan pie for the road. Still, a better plan is to take your fixin’s across the highway for an impromptu picnic underneath the cliff-side grove of cypress trees (Open daily 8am to 6pm; 490 Highway 1, 831.423.9803. 

What-a-Beach! Just a few years ago, this pristine gold-sand beach near Davenport used to be a secret. Now there’s not only a new parking lot but a bus stop as well. No matter — it still remains the finest public beach on the San Francisco coast, a postcard expanse of sand sheltered from wind and road noise by high bluffs. 

During high surf, the waves put on quite a show smashing into the rocks. It’s located exactly 1 mile south of Davenport on Highway 1. Park in the long, skinny lot across from Bonny Dune Road, climb over the railroad levee, and there she is, one of California’s most beautiful and secluded beaches.

Monterey Bay's Marvelous Bike Trail

A person wearing a helmet and carrying a backpack is biking along an ocean-side road, perfect for Northern California getaways. The sea is on the right, and waves are gently crashing on the shore. The sky is partly cloudy, and the road ahead is empty. There's some greenery on the sandy beach.
Photo: Courtesy of @adventuresbythesea

If your kids spend too much time playing video games, drag them kicking and screaming to Monterey to ride bikes along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. The paved waterfront trail, which was once the tracks of the Southern Pacific Railroad, stretches 18 miles from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south, then continues as a bike lane to the entrance of the fabled 17-Mile Drive, rated one of the top bicycle rides in the nation. 

The scenery along the Coastal Trial is spectacular, and there’s a good chance you’ll spot numerous sea lions and sea otters (blue whales even). There are several places to stop and get a bite to eat on the trail, or you can pack a picnic and spread a blanket out on one of the trail’s many grassy areas. Even dogs are allowed on a leash. If you can’t bring your bikes, I recommend renting 24-speed hybrid bikes in Monterey at Adventures by the Sea from $55 up, which includes a lock and helmet. Believe me, folks — a day spent cruising along this beautiful trail will be one of the highlights of your summer.

Big Sur's Secret Cove

A small stream flows between rocky cliffs, cascading gently over stones and heading towards the ocean. The scene, reminiscent of Northern California getaways, includes large and small boulders, a few patches of greenery, and the blue sea meeting the clear sky in the background.
Photo: Courtesy of Mistyty via Wikimedia Commons

If you only have the time or energy for one short hike while touring Big Sur, head for the secret cove at Partington Canyon. 

Don’t bother looking for it on the map; it’s not there. Instead, park at the 37.85-mile marker (two miles north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park), walk down the canyon toward the ocean, turn right at the “Underwater Forest” display, then left across the footbridge, and suddenly it’s “Whoa! Where’d that come from?” 

A wild non sequitur in this remote valley, this 100-foot, hand-carved, timber-reinforced tunnel leads to a stunning hidden cove. 

The story goes that John Partington built the tunnel for his tan-oak cutting and shipping operation, where sleds filled with tan-oak bark were pulled down the mountain and loaded onto ships anchored in the placid cove.

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