Rolling mountains and windswept coastal bluffs come face-to-face with miles of narrow beaches and crashing waves. Seemingly a land forgotten, this scenic coastal playground provides an endless expanse perfect for wandering, soul-searching and other romantic pursuits. Located along the coastal bluffs south of the Eel River, a short drive just south of Eureka and six easy miles west of Ferndale sits some of the most beautiful and memorable beaches, grasslands and scattered patches of forest.

Black Sands Beach is well deserving of its name. The black sand that covers 3.5 miles of the beach’s coastline contrasts beautifully against its clear blue tides. To get to this picture perfect beach, take exit 642 off of Highway 101 and follow the winding road down into Shelter Cove. Turn right onto Beach Road, which will lead straight to that gorgeous black sand and uniquely coastal paradise. 

Humboldt County is home to the King Range National Conservation Area, which encompasses approximately 70,000 acres of wildlands. Too rugged for highway construction and too remote for development, this stretch of untouched coastline is commonly referred to as the Lost Coast. Every year, adventure-seeking visitors from around the world travel to the King Range NCA to hike, hunt, surf, camp, bike and fish the vast, isolated wilderness.

The Paradise Royale Loop is an excellent way to experience the Lost Coast, and was constructed with mountain bikers in mind. The 25-mile trail system is located near the 2850-foot high Queen Peak, north of Shelter Cove. Best ridden clockwise.