Northern California is a world of its own. While it doesn’t feel quite as remote and quaint as the Oregon coast, it still maintains a unique quality, a relaxing quietness and artistic vibe that you feel has changed very little throughout the decades.
The coastal city of Eureka was our first stop in California, the perfect location for an overnight break as you drive down the coast. The city is both charming and lively, with lots of festivals and live music and a bustling café scene.
If you stop in the area, make sure you visit the picturesque village of Trinidad, located about 20 minutes from Eureka.Trinidad boasts no less than 10 public beaches, and its offshore rocks are part of the California Coastal National Monument. A true coastal gem, this quiet spot will have you lost in the wildflowers as you explore the beach and its stunning rock formations.
We picked up some big sticks and had a pretend fight with the Ocean. I’ve tried warning C that the Ocean will always win, but he didn’t hear 🙂 We climbed, explored and played all afternoon in this most lovely of beaches.
We also made a friend in town, a lovely local boy who was a tiny little surfer, straight from the movies. He was selling beautiful stones he collected from the beach, and after sitting next to us at our table, he ended up joining us, teaching C some spellings and doing some colouring in.
Regardless of the time of year, more likely than not, you’ll be the only one there. That is the beauty of Summer in Northern California <3.
We stayed at the Eureka KOA Campsite, which we found to be excellent for families. They had a huge variety of activities and games for families, and a family bathroom, which is always a bonus!
Have you been to this part of California? What was your favourite place?
