It's an amazing beach if you want wide open, few people, want to let your well behaved dog off leash because no one is around. People ride horses, you can have fires, cool stuff, but it's windy. Like it can get really windy, no where to really chill and hide from the wind. However, if you want to find sand dollars that aren't broken, this beach is the place. read more

Clam beach is great if you have dogs, it's wide open, quiet, and you can see sand dollars. It does get windy sometimes , but it's fun if you make the best of it. My 2 dogs love it there read more

Little close to the road and 30.00 is a bi steep o camp on your own land. (Public). But is Perfect for a one nighter. read more

I didn't get to spend a lot of time here. But I needed to kill an hour as I was headed to California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport. This beach is off the 101 and really close to the airport. The facilities are minimal and they allow camping on the beach here at Clam Beach. It is also dog friendly. I enjoyed taking a moment to walk around and take in some fresh ocean air before heading out on my flight home. read more

Clam Beach County Park - Beaches Near Me - McKinleyville, California

Kilgore : Smell that? You smell that? Lance : What? Kilgore : Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of napalm in the morning... That's the classic dialogue from "Apocalypse Now", and if you replace 'napalm' with 'weed', then you pretty much have my impression of Clam Beach which sits off Hwy 1 on the northern edge of Arcata. The pervasive aroma may have something to do with the fact that they allow camping right in the beach. There were random tents that made it feel like Burning Man North without the art. Truly a hippie haven beach. RELATED - Lost on the Lost Coast? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2A1YVjy read more

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Stopped by for a night before visiting the Redwood National Park and car camped. It was $30 per night and I did not hear the noise from the nearby road at all. Everything was fine and clean, the only thing was that there was no sink in the restroom so I'd recommend bringing water with you to wash face/brush teeth/wash hands read more

I cannot afford to be picky about the beach. Living in a landlocked state, I am grateful for any blessed chance to spend near the ocean. Clam Beach has all the basics covered: relatively clean, not busy, and free (depending on where you park), but it suffers in comparison to others. Late-ish in the afternoon, my husband and I sought a quick spot to stop and just take in the ocean, having arrived in California an hour previous, and feeling it would be near disrespectful not to spend a little time reveling in the coast's beauty. I think there is a parking lot a bit removed, east of the beach, and we passed a different lot designated specifically for those camping. We eventually ended on a side road, which had small turnouts that were obviously meant for beach access as they had signs specifying it was open during daylight. We squeezed into one, and started the trek through the thin and winding pathways. Edged by wild blackberries and other plants, sometimes taller than a person, it was quite pretty, but the trails broke off or split repeatedly, and it became clear we had better pay some attention to where we were going (and coming from!). We made note of a house directly above our parking spot, as well as the point in the jungle from which we had exited, and made our way onto the sand. From there it was all wide open and flat, nothing to hold your interest except the water, but we did our due diligence and enjoyed a freezing sunset. At its conclusion, we started trekking back, and immediately found ourselves lost. All the bramble-y patches of plants look like you can just walk through them, but they are deeper and pokier than you think, and we continually realized our error, only to reverse and wind up on some other portion of the trail terminating in yet another a dead end. Over and over this happened, as it quickly got darker. We did eventually find our car (otherwise I guess I'd be writing this from the CA wilderness, ha!), and I cannot fault the park for this entirely, but better marked trails would be a vast improvement to other's experiences. I can also partially take the blame for perhaps unknowingly picking a poor parking spot, so learn from my mistakes and make good use of the actual parking lot! Still, as there are so many stunning beaches along the coast, I see no reason to seek this only mildly pretty park out. If this is your only option, sure, stop by. If not, hold out for a superior alternative elsewhere. Definitely don't expect it to be a destination in and of itself. read more

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When you consider what a white sand beach looks like on a weekend in July anywhere within a hundred miles of San Diego, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, you really come to appreciate the beauty and desolation of a place like Clam Beach Co. Park. Off the beaten path at exit 723 north of Arcata/Eureka, free paved lots, restroom facilities, and dog poop bags support the pristine sea grass covered dunes, and a pristine beach pretty close to what it must have looked like hundreds of years ago. Of course, I always try to celebrate Creation by meaningfully harvesting small portions of It.... High tide is pretty good for surf fishing-- red tail perch, the occasional striped bass, or other rare exotics can be plied from the shore. Also quite present are tasty Dungeness crabs-- the shells and molts are all over the beach at the high tide line, along with sand dollars, clam shells (great clamming here at low tide), driftwood, and other beach combing fodder. I love visiting Northern California beaches, and this is why. No riffraff, no trash, just the last stronghold of what nature is supposed to look like where the land meets the sea. read more

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This was absolutely my favorite part of my road trip up to Humboldt County, for no other reason that I arrived just before sunset on a gorgeous day, there were few people around, my dog got to exhaust himself running and running and running in the sand, and I got to spend an hour looking at the beautiful ocean and think how beautiful Mother Earth is. It's free! It's dog friendly! It's easy access! read more

Clam Beach County Park - Happy happy joy joy - Beaches Near Me - McKinleyville, California

Clam Beach Park at exit 723 just past McKinleyville on the 101 is an awesome community beach park with day use areas, both north and south, as well as a developed camping area in between with asphalt parking and restrooms. This county maintained park is at the very end of Central ave. where it meets the highway. Just follow the road under the overpass and the park is right there. The frontage road running parallel to the highway, is the park road. The exit is 723, on the 101. The park is immediately there. As you enter the park. The south day use area is right there - it is surrounded by short brush and dunes, there is a gravel parking area that is often muddy during the rainy season. There are no restrooms here. The walk to the water is approximately 300 yards. You can no longer drive cars on the beach, although you can ride horses and bikes. The overnight camping area is next, this asphalt area is maintained with picnic benches, long level parking set up for large rigs. There are maintained restrooms and this area is hosted. The fee is around $15 a day with a three day maximum stay and discount for seniors, handicapped and veterans. Surrounded by the dunes, you have about a five minute leisurely walk to the water. Be aware, there is a transient population here. Next down the way, is the north day user area. This area is level, paved, with lots of parking and has restrooms. It is a couple hundred yards to the water from here. Clam Beach is an awesome park and a great place to have access to the ocean for the community and travelers looking for a place to camp, get out and see the water, and just relax. 00148 read more

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This campground was beautiful, with sites scattered throughout sand dunes and some with views of the sea, which was a short walk over the sand. I did have a couple complaints. The parking spots were not visually connected to a site but were what you paid for and it seemed easy to have someone take your spot if you left, which happened to a family near us. The camp host did have one orange cone to mark your spot if you left, I don't know what the plan would be if two people wanted to leave at once. My other caveats were the facilities--no showers, pit toilets--and the large number of quasi-homeless looking people camping there. Other than these issues it was beautiful, but I admit I would hesitate before camping here again because of them. read more

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I love this beach, it's a bit tricky to get to as you need to walk on a set of wobbly boards. The beach itself is lovely, long and wide and not very many people. Dogs are welcome and they do seem have off leash times, but it's a bit unclear as the signage is contradictory. We went several times last week with our two dogs off leash, never saw more than 4 people. read more

One of my favorite beaches, always plenty of space and the area is usually clean. Depending where you park will decide how much walking you do. Watch out for the grass, it is a little Sharp so pants help in this case. read more

Beautiful beach! Easy to walk on. Easily accessible. We were a bit confused bc on the county parks web it says you can have dogs off leash under voice command. It when you get there it says all dogs must be on a leash. California seems to have few places where your dogs can actually run off leash or under command except in a dirt patch of a dog park. County parks anywhere else allow for dog training off leash too but I'm CA it's only during hunting season in select areas which is a time you don't want to train bc it disturbs hunters. read more

It gets 2 start only because its a beautiful beach. Camping is not on the beach, you must walk down a path. I think 95% of people here were either homeless or part of a drug ring. People were partying playing the bongo drums until 6am. If you want to party with hippies or homeless until morning, then this is your spot! On the plus side, everyone was really nice. Our neighbors helped us with our fire and seemed harmless. It was sketch when some fancy trucks came through obviously delivering drugs. read more

This review is based on Clam Beach back in the 90's. When I lived up there a couple decades ago, you could drive out on clam beach and camp right on the water. One night I woke up to find the tide had come really high, my sleeping bag was soaked and my truck was in the ocean. I quickly packed up and moved further inland. Those days are gone......sad, it was one of only a couple beaches that still allowed this in California. Now....I think I'd suggest taking a trip up to Coos Bay Oregon instead. read more

July 2-3, and I am glad I made out alive.There s little good to say about this place. The two nights invited methheads and sketchy, loud thugs. Not safe for couples, kids, or singles. I will only add I abandoned my tent and drove into town specifics aren't important. Smart parents with kids tended to leave after one night. I would have taken the hint if I hadn't pre-paid. This place is neither safe nore sanitary. If you must camp there, go in grouos. read more

This place has some tent camp spots and RV parking (no hookups) 15$ donation for the night. We came on the super blood moon (was amazing). The beach is right behind the campsite, 2 min walk and your at the water. Very clean and the other campers were courteous and friendly. read more

This beach is long long long. Perfect if you just want to walk and get in the zone. Great also for dogs. Although there are signs of areas where dogs are prohibited. read more

This beach is so beautiful. I would absolutely love to have this beach near me. Drove through the area and was shocked on how clean it was. San Diego beach's are so bad and trashed compared to here. read more

We enjoy visiting the coast when we get the chance. After leaving the heat of Redding, California and arriving at our destination in Arcata where my in-laws retain a second home, where we stayed, albeit a ways from the beach. The beaches are always the destination: short drive to all. Clam Beach has for years been a favorite. Super wide beachhead for miles. Hills and small dunes for kids and dogs to play. This particular visit to Clam Beach, with high expectations of fun and/or relaxation ended up being just that: EXCEPT FOR THE ENTRY POINT! The beach access area was or could be a law suit waiting to happen! I can only hope that the Humboldt County supervisors have plans to rehabilitate the access point to the beach, as it was OUTRIGHT DANGEROUS to access the beach. The signs direct you from the parking lot to the access site. You'd better have your ibex souls on though, because the once held wood bridges that maneuver over the lowland water runoff are destroyed! It is now a flip-flop graveyard. You've got to jump from rock to rock or beam to beam of floating wood. There is no doubt that it is dangerous to traverse the access to the beautiful beach. The beach is great and enjoyable however, the return to the parking lot ruins the entire visit. read more

Beautiful north coast beach; no leashes required for dogs (just make sure they are well-behaved!); decent parking. Lovely for long walks!

Beautiful beach. Bad camping. I'm a bicyclist heading down the Pacific coast, and this was the worst experience I've ever had. In addition to there being cramped quarters for tent campers and no showers, sinks, or flushing toilets, the camp host was a nightmare. I woke up with ants ALL over my tent, blankets, bags. I asked the camp host for help repeatedly and only reluctantly and irritably did he do so. He didn't offer a refund. Also, according to my cycling maps, this campsite has a history of theft. If you can stay elsewhere, do so. read more

I stayed here because I didn't want to pay to stay at a hotel.. I mean, Clam Beach... it's beautiful. But if you're expecting to camp here to have that beach camping experience, skip this place. read more

We were spending the weekend in Eureka with our eight month old German Shepherd. Was looking for a nice off leash beach for her first ocean experience. We spent the entire day there and had a blast. There's plenty of beach so that you don't feel crowded and many other people walking their dogs stopped to say hi. read more

Once upon a time you could drive out on the beach here and camp on the beach. That was wonderful. Now it is closed to vehicle access although they say it is open on the Humboldt County Parks website. If you want to experience camping on a beach, head to So. Cal's Pismo Beach or up into Oregon. Local Politics has ruined this beach for everyone. read more

As a bicycle tourist.....avoid at all costs!!! We didn't stay there because it looked so bad....

The campground is NOT closed... It's $15 a night, $13 for seniors. The maximum stay is 3 days. There's not many options for camping in the area, so if you can put up with what goes on there you are fine. Lot's of hippies and vagabonds come to the park to camp out. The 3 day limit is obviously designed to keep folks from calling the place home. People there are usually very friendly and don't seem to mind if you crash their parties and join in. There is an on-site host that lives in a little compound across the street. You will likely never see him. The beach is huge, you used to be able to drive around out there, but they have gated it off now. People were probably having fun and bothering no one out there. Go figure. The campsites are a short hike onto the dunes. Some have tables and are close to the lot. If you are in a RV, you sleep in the parking lot. There are a few spots to the right with tables close to the lot. These are the most popular, convenient, and the loudest. The nearby Clam Beach Inn has a cool little bar and store and is worth a visit. It is walking distance for the young, but if you are old and busted up like me you will want to drive. It is uphill both ways. Bring a traffic cone with you to mark your spot if you drive up to the bar... Someone will take your spot every time. You pay for the numbered spot, so if you park elsewhere, you get the ticket. Bring your own cone and you will have no problem. All in all a good option if you are spending a couple of days in the area. There's really nothing else. read more

I Beautiful Beach Area , both North & South Ends ... We found this place In August '14 & Fell In Love with it. Made the Trip Several time to North Cal Coast & always stop here South end day use / camping area beach access is by kind of a boardwalk over march with frogs & bird /other wild life. If you are disabled and want to watch the sunset, over this beach I found if you were able to park your car westward of south day use parking lot facing the walkway you can see it between the dunes .. at least in feb & march . ( we scoped this out for a family member who wanted to watch the sunset here ) We camped here and had no issues with others invading our space / privacy , but hey we were here in Dec '14 , Feb '15 & March '15 , so the campers were sparse. we did converse with the others " camping " but didn't socialize Restrooms here are like a Outhouse Style like .... So think of a porta potty situation as a permanent structure , they are big enough to accommodate wheelchairs if needed. suggestion - clean / layer anything before you sit Bob Is a cool Site Host. We Vote for Eddie too , as the Mayor Elect of Clam Beach - will will be back with your pizza we promised It will get crowded in the warm seasons with activity til late - so if your not active into the night , come in off season Lastly , there is an energy here that is beyond the people or activities that happen a Kind of meditative energy that fills you so when you leave , you want to come back again & again as we have read more

Great beach closest to Arcata. 1/4 mile walk to water through deep sand. Found lots of red Jaspers. Clouds spoiled sunset, oh well! Good parking area close to bathrooms. Don't know about overnight camping or the quality of the campers or their drugs, would tend to discount the stories! Did not look for or find any clams,I think they split! read more

Great beach for spreading out and running with the dogs...beautiful!

This place used to be a very nice and comfortable vacation destination. But unfortunately beginning around the year 2,000 it started getting trashed and has gotten worse every year since. The clamie was once a place to go and have an exhilarating great time. But has now severely downgraded to an almost uneasy uncomfortable insecure watch your family's, pet's and properties back tipe of vibe. The way things used to be was as follows. People could responsible take there 4wd trucks or quads out on the beach and cruise the sand dunes.Take the horse& doggies for a run. If you're family and friends were not sensitive racists or closed-minded. The adults could properly supervise the kid's and run them tired during the day on the beach exploring, playing in the water flying kites catching clams & crabs, building sand castles, football frizz be, boogie or skim board etc. Even checking things out around the county there's plenty to see & do to keep the lil one's occupied then tired out after a day of fun. And if you did decide to leave your camp site to go check the town out you could trust some of the hippes or fellow campers to keep an eye on your belongings, all it'll cost yuh was a couple beers and a smile. And when yuh got back your stuff would be safe and untouched and mind at ease. So when yuh came back with the kids wore out no troubles to stall adault time wich was an hr & a half before sun down. They would turn on some tunes spark up the bbq and a joint crack open a can or bottle along with a few jokes and prepare the sun set dinner on the beach or camp site. Then when it was ready watch the sun set and fill the bellies. An hr and a half after the sun set and its dark enough the tunes were turned down low and it was bond fire & desert a couple more jokes followed by a few more tokes remenice story telling time. Soon after around 9-930 the kids go climbing into there tents or back to the rv to go to bed. Then it's really adult time tunes turn back up a lil til around midnight then there tents shaking and skins spanking whoo hoo yeah buddy hahaha. Then wake up and do it again till vacations over. Now theres no 4wding on the beach the hippies turned into transient tweeker thieves with miss behaving dangerous street muts that will go after your horse or dogs and if you leave your stuff unattended to long most or some of it will be gone the fellow beach gower is a stuck up snob and will rat you out for smoking herb the camp host is lazy the beach and camp site is littered with broken glass and trash bbq pits trashed and pissed in pit style restrooms filthy no more open camping all sites are numbered no more ocean view camp spots big ol ocean bush's blocking the view of ocean from the camp site just ugliness. Get it together humbolt make clam beach nice again. read more