Trinidad is a tiny harbour town on the Humboldt County coast, perched on a bluff above a spectacular bay. It is one of the oldest settlements in California — the Spanish named it on Trinity Sunday in 1775 — and today has a population of barely 300, though the surrounding area draws visitors year-round.
The setting is the main attraction. Trinidad Bay is sheltered by Trinidad Head, a massive rocky headland with a trail to the top offering panoramic views of the coastline and, in season, passing grey whales. Below the headland, the harbour is home to a small fishing fleet and a couple of seafood shacks serving the day's catch.
The beaches around Trinidad are outstanding. College Cove, reached by a short trail from the headland, is a protected sandy beach backed by cliffs and small waterfalls. Moonstone Beach and Luffenholtz Beach are within a few minutes' drive. The coast here is rugged and beautiful, with sea stacks, tide pools, and dense forest running down almost to the waterline.
Trinidad makes a good base for exploring the redwood parks — Patrick's Point State Park is just to the north, and the old-growth groves of Prairie Creek and Redwood National Park are within easy reach.