Located on the Van Duzen River is the small yet beautiful Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. While the park only covers a few acres there are a number of things you can do, such as fishing, swimming, canoeing, and hiking. Very few visitors come on a weekday, so it is entirely possible to be the only person in the park.

Entering Ferndale is like taking a step back in time to the bygone era of Victorian Villages. Whether you’ve been here for five hours or five generations, the hospitality of the locals and the serene surroundings will take your breath away. Marvel at the beautifully preserved homes along with the rows of general stores, ice cream parlors, blacksmith shops, saloons, museums, excellent dining and nostalgically new lodging establishments.

Put on your waterproof shoes and head over to the Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge. Located on the southernmost end of Humboldt Bay, the Wildlife Refuge is a great place to walk flat land trails, see wildlife, and explore wetland habitats. Typically, the best time to view the wildlife is at dawn and dusk but will depend on the tide levels. If you are new to bird watching, beginners can sign out a backpack kit with binoculars, birding guides, and other educational materials.

Fishing, boating, beachcombing, birding…or perhaps simply basking in the sun, the Humboldt Lagoons wait for you. Fed by natural springs, these gentle lagoons become brackish, breached each winter by the raging sea beyond. Big Lagoon offers plenty of exploring, seashell and rock collecting on majestic Agate Beach. And for those who desire to move off the beaten trail, a fantastic hiking path, easy to find, stretches from Dry Lagoon to Stone Lagoon, each offering a bit more primitive experience.