Black Sands Beach is a beautiful beach that is secluded. We went on a busy weekend, although I hear that on non- busy weekends or weekdays you might have this place to yourself. You park and walk down to the beach. When we went the bathrooms were out of order. It's a beautiful beach to walk along and soak in the views. Tip: Don't go near the water. There are signs all over to stay 100 ft away or more from where the waves break due to the under toe. read more

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This is a beautiful beach with some seclusion. It can feel like your own private beach since it's not crowded. It has a small parking lot, a lackluster bathroom (bring hand sanitizer ) and a hike down to the beach. The journey to the beach isn't too long and you can catch some pretty spectacular views from above. The beach itself is unique, clean, quiet, calming. Perfect for photography, lounging around, picnics but not swimming so much. Tides seem rough and there's lots of rocks here. The hike back uphill was a hard one if you're out of shape like me. The locals did it no problem though ! read more

Black Sands Beach - Black sands beach - Beaches Near Me - Whitethorn, California

Beautiful beach but not a long beach nor can you swim in it according to the signs - no swim no surf here. Short beach at least where I parked at. read more

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This beach was pretty fun to go to. The black sand is sun although it's more like rocks. The beach is all stones so pro tip: wear comfy shoes. Flip flops would not be fun here! Beautiful views for sure ! read more

Black Sands Beach - Beach - Beaches Near Me - Whitethorn, California

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If the weather is halfway decent you will not find a more wild or rugged beautiful beach to walk on and it is dog friendly (Thank you BLM). read more

Black Sands Beach - Beaches Near Me - Whitethorn, California

This location is ideal for people driving a 4x4. We managed with an fwd but it was a bone jarring drive. Definitely not recommended on an fwd. The roads in and out from north and south are horrible #humboldtcounty. We drove in from Loleta via Ferndale and drove out from Petrolia via honeydew. I would repeat once again, DO NOT DRIVE on an fwd if you love your car. The roads are pathetic, full of potholes aand washed out at places which make you doubt if visiting the beach was a good decision. Also, google or apple map are not accurate when showing time to destination for this beach. Add 1 or 1.5 hr to drive over the deep potholes and washed over roads. But, its not all bad. The beach is secluded. No one to disturb you. Did not see any dog restrictions, so our two dogs romped free. We saw dead fish, crab, and jelly fish on the beach. Lots many marine flora. Sunset was amazing. read more

Black Sands Beach - Beaches Near Me - Whitethorn, California

This is a terrific walking/ hiking beach with great views of the mountains. Our dog also enjoyed playing ball on the beach, but we kept her out of the waves. It is clearly posted that swimming, wading, or getting closer that 100 feet from the wave break is dangerous due to sneaker waves and rip currents. We did find a small creek for her to cool her feet and get a drink of fresh water. read more

Awesome beach, but not forgiving for those bare-foot walkers. If you are looking for that hot sand to dig your feet in, i would look elsewhere, but if you don't mind and enjoy hiking this is the spot. There are a number of hiking trails that surround this beach, but after a weekend filled with BBQ and drinks the only hiking we did was from the kitchen to the beach. I know i haven't been writing a lot lately, but i hope my pictures can provide a better story/review. The beach is a 3.5-mile stretch of coastline 45 miles south of Eureka in Northern California. Directions: "As visitors descend down the road into Shelter Cove they will need to turn right onto Beach Rd, which dead ends at Black Sands Beach. There is a sign indicating they are at the King Range NCA and the main parking is up top. Visitors will need to walk down the sidewalk to the beach access. " read more

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I was out here this past weekend, mid-February, so the weather was similar to an overcast day in San Francisco with slight fog. I was here a couple of years ago in July. The never ending blue of the sky and ocean was a breathe-taking contrast against the black sand beach. Even though it was overcast during my last visit, it was still beautiful. The secluded aspect and simplicity of the beach made it feel like our own personal paradise. The ocean crashing against the surf and huge rocks that lined the beach was a soothing meditation all in its own. I sat on a huge rock and watched the fog slowly climb over the King Range mountains that separates the Black Sand Beach from the inland. There are streams that flow from inland into the ocean and it made me peaceful watching the flow of the water zigzag across the black sand. There are also deep caves that line the mountains at the edge of the beach. I fought myself on whether I should Yelp this place or not because I want to keep this beach all to myself. (I know greedy, aren't I?) I finally relented and thought it was the right thing to do. Share a piece of simple natural beauty with my fellow Yelpers. The Black Sand Beach is part of the Lost Coast. During the summer, you will find hikers trekking this 24.8 mile one way hike. When I was here a couple of years in July, there were a couple of make shift camps lining the edge of the beach. Even then, the beach still felt secluded from the rest of the world. read more

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Getting to Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove takes a long time from Humboldt Redwoods SP Albee Creek Campground. Maybe over 1-1.5hr. Lots of windy roads & up & over the mountains. It's like heading to Muir Woods from the Hwy in the Bay Area. Had to pee bad & nowhere to go, but had to hold it. Slow down, speed up. B. was going crazy, so was I. I also get motion sickness too, but I didn't throw up or pee on myself. Finally we get to the parking lot. Yes, there's bathrooms. Parking lot had many cars, but B. still didn't want to walk down to the beach. It was the only way, because the lower lot is only for Handicap & can't leave car unattended. So he drove to that stupid lower lot & I only got a few pics! So lame. Next time I go, go with an Empty Bladder & stay a half day so I can walk a bit of the Lost Coast! So disappointed in not walking on the Black Sands Beach!! Guy said some boulder fell & split into 3 pieces - maybe a mile he said. He said it's a Not To Be Missed!! read more

So the road was crazy getting down there, but it was so pretty! Very picturesque! DO NOT go in a bad car with bad breaks or lots of weight in it. Do not go to this beach to swim or paddle. Lots of warning signs about how dangerous the waters are! It also really wasn't sand... Small pebbles right at the water that are actually quite light grey when not wet. Still lovely, but don't go if you want black SAND like in other parts of the world. read more

Black Sands Beach - Beaches Near Me - Whitethorn, California

I grew up in the South Bay of Cali so I know a beach when I see it but this is totally different. This beach has massive shorebreak waves and lots of warning signs. It is beautiful and peaceful and I wish we had stayed here longer. The road from the highway is insane with the number of switchbacks and I can see how a tow truck driver could make a fortune on it. The locals like to go triple the speed limit and ride your bumper till you pull over, then they honk as if to say thanks....I have a brand new truck and can't imagine doing that road in a vehicle without perfect brakes read more

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Number 7th most beautiful black sand beach(planet) This beach was voted the number seventh most beautiful beach( blacks sands beach not all beaches) in the whole world. Positions or placing were based on the least influenced or impacted by people,ease of access and public, scenic views There is a public parking lot with bathrooms and photo location in the lot are with a great view. read more

YES. I hate getting sand in my hair, butt crack, and food- so this beach was the perfect alternative. Not only is the beach made up of wonderfully smoothed rocks, it speckled in shells, full and cracked. The ocean was beautiful as it smashed against large mountain-y rocks (I for the science name :P) There are a bunch of coves covered in beautiful plants and flowers. We even saw WHALES!!! just beyond the coast we saw the hunch and blow holes of at least two. When the sun finally peaked out, the smoothed rocks of the beach were comfy enough to lay down and catch the rays. read more

Don't go in the water, it will kill you. Don't save your friend who fell in the water, it will kill you both. My favorite beach. I want to start doing Bodywork on this beach. The vibration is very healing. read more

Black Sands Beach - Beaches Near Me - Whitethorn, California

We where camping at Richardson Grove and decided we wanted to go to the coast while we where out this way and this spot seemed to be the closest. The road to this hidden area is VERY WINDY. We are from the Sierras and are used to windy roads, but this one was the worst. You will want to coast down in 2 or 3rd gear to try and save your breaks. The beach is not black sand but black pebbles. Our girls brought sand toys but in order for them to use them the only area with sand was about 75 feet from the water. Where the waves wash in its black pebbles, then a section of bigger rocks, then a section of sand and then bigger rocks again. The area is pretty but if you are wanting a beach combing / sand castle making experience.... This is not top on the list. Beach combing was almost none. We mainly saw muscle shells, crabs pieces and some seaweed. read more

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It's a crazy, winding, twisting drive to get there but when will you ever get to do it again? Make sure to allocate at least an hour of driving each way to and from the beach. It's too dangerous to swim there but there was a handful of people just hanging out on the beach. read more

Black Sands Beach - 35mm. Kodak Portra 400. - Beaches Near Me - Whitethorn, California

No, it's not sand (small rounded pebbles), but it's pretty and well worth some time to enjoy the scenery and walk. Yes, the road in from Garberville is steep and curvy, but not worse than many other mountain roads I've driven. The surface was even reasonably good which can NOT be said for the road in from farther north out of Humboldt park through Honeydue. read more

The beach is beautiful. I couldn't "check in" because we had no cell service. The drive to get there was LOOONG! From 101 there was one way in, and one way out - 45 min each way. Warning signs everywhere almost made me nervous to go onto the beach. Stepping onto the beach you notice it is covered with gazillions of little river rocks. As you get closer to the water the rocks get smaller and eventually turn into Black Sand. I think it would be a cool place to hang out for the day or even for camping overnight. read more

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Great hike up the coast. Tough to walk and 2 miles feels like 5. Beautiful.. typically foggy but worth the walk. Check the tides before going to far up the coast. read more

Great beach to visit. Stay out of the water at black sands, too dangerous to even attempt to swim due to the tides and the drop. Hell of a drive to get there though. Stay off your brakes and slap it into 2 or 1 especially, if your in a SUV....Trust me. I saw people with there brakes smoking and one car had no brakes at all. This fool had his foot out to slow his little bucket down. the drive is steep with so many switch backs and goofy turns coming in to shelter cove. when you leave, it gets better cuz your driving mainly up hill and you can coast it on 2 or 1 going down plus you stay off your brakes! Who cares who 's behind you, let them pass. read more

A beautiful black sand and pebble beach. Surf is constantly churning and also beautiful to watch. On a Tuesday in July, there were maybe a dozen people we could see from one end to the other (at least a quarter mile in each direction). The beach is a bit of a steep hike from the parking area, but this gave the parking area a good overlook with interpretive signs. The parking area also had clean restrooms with running water. read more