Trinidad's small harbour is one of the most picturesque on the northern California coast, sheltered by the headland and ringed by forested bluffs. The fishing fleet — mostly small vessels targeting rockfish, Dungeness crab, and salmon — operates from the pier, and several seafood businesses sell the day's catch directly. The harbour is the most social spot in town, where you can buy fresh crab in season and watch the sea stacks from a bench.
Harbour seals haul out regularly on the rocks just outside the bay, and the boat traffic is light enough that Steller sea lions occasionally come in close to the pier. Whale spouts can be seen from the pier during the grey whale migrations (December–January southbound, March–April northbound). The harbour is a five-minute walk downhill from the centre of town.