Sure, our beaches up here in Northern California are a little colder, windier, damp… but that’s just the way we like it! The beauty of the Northern California coastline is truly unparalleled. See it for yourself at these spectacular beaches located along the Pacific Ocean.
- Trinidad State Beach
Flickr/ Aidan Wakely-Mulroney To reach this dreamy beach, it’s a short hike through the woods, across open bluffs, and past seasonal wildflowers down to the beach. Low tide is the best time to visit.
- Greenwood Beach State Park
Flickr/ Mark & Andrea Busse You can find this lovely beach in the tiny town of Elk where Greenwood Creek meets the ocean. Take the trail down from the parking area to be greeted with some of the most scenic views imaginable.
- Centerville Beach
Flickr/ lostintheredwoods This Humboldt County beach is located near the picturesque town of Ferndale. It extends all the way from the mouth of the Eel river to the parking area towards the south. It’s a popular place for bird watchers and beach combers.
- Enderts Beach
Flickr/ jb10okie This remote beach in Del Norte county is known for its tide pools and turquoise water. It’s pretty far north but well worth the longer drive to see its stunning qualities.
- Bodega Dunes
Flickr/ editrixie This vast and remote beach will make you feel like you are the only human left on the planet. It is located on a large state park campground and features fascinating coastal dunes. You’ll want to explore here for hours.
- Jug Handle State Reserve
Flickr/ Images by John ‘K’ Stunning views, a sandy white beach, and lots of hiking trails are what continually draws visitors to Jug Handle. The reserve is located off Highway 1 between the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg.
- Gualala Point Regional Park
Flickr/ Cody and Maureen This northernmost point in Sonoma County lies across the river mouth from the town of the same name, which is actually in Mendocino county. The wide, sandy beach here features the Gualala River, which sometimes flows right into the ocean.
- Glass Beach
Flickr/ Images by John ‘K’ This site gets its name from the fact that it was once a dump site, but the ocean has worn smooth all the particles of glass that were once left here. Its a stunning sight to behold, even if glass has started to dwindle over recent years.
- San Gregorio State Beach
Flickr/ Wade Tregaskis This stunning and dramatic beach is located near Half Moon Bay. It has a big parking lot and a popular picnic area on the bluff above the beach and a creek that flows into the Pacific.
- MacKerricher State Park
Flickr/ Tom Hilton Located north of Fort Bragg, this scenic beach is a popular one for locals and tourists alike. From fishing to camping to lounging on the beach all day, this incredible site for recreation offers something for everyone.
- Russian Gulch State Park
Flickr/ the rabbit Russian Gulch State Park is located near the town of Mendocino and features a sandy bridge below the Highway 1 bridge. The narrow cove marks the spot where the Russian Gulch creek meets the ocean. It’s popular for hikers who come for the coastal views and shady trails through redwoods.
- Rodeo Beach Marin Headlands
Flickr/ David Horowitz Located on the west side of the Marin Headlands in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Rodeo Beach is known for its interesting rock formations and beautiful sunsets.
What did you think of our list? Would you add any beaches to this list of Northern California dreamy coastal spots? Be sure to let us know!
Flickr/ Aidan Wakely-Mulroney
To reach this dreamy beach, it’s a short hike through the woods, across open bluffs, and past seasonal wildflowers down to the beach. Low tide is the best time to visit.
Flickr/ Mark & Andrea Busse
You can find this lovely beach in the tiny town of Elk where Greenwood Creek meets the ocean. Take the trail down from the parking area to be greeted with some of the most scenic views imaginable.
Flickr/ lostintheredwoods
This Humboldt County beach is located near the picturesque town of Ferndale. It extends all the way from the mouth of the Eel river to the parking area towards the south. It’s a popular place for bird watchers and beach combers.
Flickr/ jb10okie
This remote beach in Del Norte county is known for its tide pools and turquoise water. It’s pretty far north but well worth the longer drive to see its stunning qualities.
Flickr/ editrixie
This vast and remote beach will make you feel like you are the only human left on the planet. It is located on a large state park campground and features fascinating coastal dunes. You’ll want to explore here for hours.
Flickr/ Images by John ‘K’
Stunning views, a sandy white beach, and lots of hiking trails are what continually draws visitors to Jug Handle. The reserve is located off Highway 1 between the towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg.
Flickr/ Cody and Maureen
This northernmost point in Sonoma County lies across the river mouth from the town of the same name, which is actually in Mendocino county. The wide, sandy beach here features the Gualala River, which sometimes flows right into the ocean.
This site gets its name from the fact that it was once a dump site, but the ocean has worn smooth all the particles of glass that were once left here. Its a stunning sight to behold, even if glass has started to dwindle over recent years.
Flickr/ Wade Tregaskis
This stunning and dramatic beach is located near Half Moon Bay. It has a big parking lot and a popular picnic area on the bluff above the beach and a creek that flows into the Pacific.
Flickr/ Tom Hilton
Located north of Fort Bragg, this scenic beach is a popular one for locals and tourists alike. From fishing to camping to lounging on the beach all day, this incredible site for recreation offers something for everyone.
Flickr/ the rabbit
Russian Gulch State Park is located near the town of Mendocino and features a sandy bridge below the Highway 1 bridge. The narrow cove marks the spot where the Russian Gulch creek meets the ocean. It’s popular for hikers who come for the coastal views and shady trails through redwoods.
Flickr/ David Horowitz
Located on the west side of the Marin Headlands in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Rodeo Beach is known for its interesting rock formations and beautiful sunsets.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
