Things to Do in Shelter Cove, California

Whether you’re here to unplug, explore, or just breathe in the ocean air—Shelter Cove offers more than meets the eye. This remote village on California’s Lost Coast rewards those who make the journey with access to trails, beaches, wildlife, and starlit skies found almost nowhere else.

This guide shares top things to do for hikers, families, nature lovers, photographers, and quiet seekers alike. See also the original activities page while I migrate things over: www.ShelterCoveHouse.com/Activities

🔗 Quick Navigation

🥾 Hike the Lost Coast Trail

Shelter Cove is a southern gateway to the famous Lost Coast Trail, one of the most rugged and breathtaking backpacking routes in the country. Whether you take on a short out-and-back or commit to a multi-day trek, the views are unforgettable.

  • Popular Starting Point: Black Sands Beach trailhead (right in Shelter Cove)
  • Distance Options: 1–2 mile day hikes or full 25-mile routes
  • Permits required for overnight trips (check tide schedules!)

🧭 More: Lost Coast Trail Guide

Other Hiking

Shelter Cove Hiking and Walking

There are lots of beautiful sites to see walking in and around Shelter Cove including watching the crashing waves and sunsets at the often empty Black Sands Beach. If you’re up for more adventure, hiking on the lost coast is a favorite among hikers. The coast to the north of Shelter Cove provides a great place to hike, as a day trip or a more prolonged endeavor. Parallel to this stretch of beach known by the locals as “Big Black Sands Beach” are mostly public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. See also BLM’s King Range Topography Map:

The beach is may be difficult to walk on at times since it is composed of a round sand and each step sinks in at the heel giving a weighed step. But by slowing the pace and/or taking advantage of trails that lift you up onto the bluffs you can make time and preserve energy. There are trails that take off from the beach and lead you along the creeks and streams or up into the mountains and back into the wild public lands that surround Shelter Cove.

🌊 Explore the Beaches

Shelter Cove is home to some of the most scenic and uncrowded beaches in California:

  • Black Sands Beach – Long, dramatic, volcanic-sand shoreline
  • Little Black Sands Beach – Intimate and peaceful, great for sunsets
  • Seal Rock Picnic Area – Tidepools, wildlife, and picnic tables
  • See More at the Beaches Page

⛱ Tip: Visit at low tide to walk the widest sections and spot sea stars and urchins.

🔭 Stargaze Beneath Dark Skies

With no major cities for miles, Shelter Cove has minimal light pollution—making it ideal for stargazing. On clear nights, you’ll see the Milky Way arc over the sea.

Best spots:

  • Any beach or bluff near the shoreline
  • Queen’s Peak area for higher elevation views

🌌 Bring a blanket, binoculars, or telescope for an unforgettable evening.

🐋 Watch Wildlife in Every Season

Shelter Cove is a haven for marine and coastal wildlife:

  • Harbor seals and sea lions bask near the tidepools year-round
  • Whale migrations (gray whales in winter/spring, humpbacks in summer)
  • Pelicans, oystercatchers, herons, and coastal birds
  • Deer, foxes, and elk in the nearby hills

📸 Bring a zoom lens or binoculars!

🌿 Enjoy Nature Walks & Short Hikes

For something less strenuous than the Lost Coast Trail, try these local paths:

  • Hidden Valley Trail – Gentle walk with forest and ocean views
  • Mal Coombs Park – Wheelchair-accessible walk to tidepools and a lighthouse
  • Bureau of Land Management Ridge Trails – Ask locals for access points

🧘 Great for meditative walks or kid-friendly exploring.

🚴 Ride, Paddle, or Surf

Things to do In Shelter Cove, California on California's Lost Coast - keep in mind that the coast is steep and can be dangerous.
As Shelter Cove Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Residents Warn Visitors About Black Sands

See Also: BE AWARE: Some of Humboldt’s Beaches Are Far More Deadly Than Others, National Weather Service Warns | Lost Coast Outpost | Humboldt County News

While Shelter Cove isn’t built for speed, it offers quiet adventures:

  • Surfing & Boogie Boarding – Black Sands can get surfable waves (use caution)
  • Kayaking – Conditions vary; ocean kayaking is only for experienced paddlers
    🌊 Always check weather and tide conditions before heading out.
  • Biking – Peaceful rides along Cove Drive and towards the airport
  • Mountain Biking – Paradise Royale is a relatively new 14-mile single-track loop on California’s Lost Coast in the King Range National Conservation Area. Stay on marked trails. You should absolutely avoid going on private roads and property.

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📸 Local Photography, Art, and History

  • Cape Mendocino Lighthouse – Explore this restored 1868 lighthouse and enjoy sweeping views from the blufftop. Great for photos and tide-pool access below.
  • Tidepool photography – Macro photographers love the intertidal marine life
  • Astrophotography – The dark skies here are renowned among stargazers. Ideal for photographers — from Milky Way shots to tidepool close-ups. Don’t miss Tommy York’s gyotaku art gallery next to Fish Tank Café.
  • Tommy York’s gyotaku art gallery – Located at the Fish Tank Café

🎶 Events & Live Music

  • Live Music at Gyppo Ale Mill – Frequent local and regional acts
  • Whale Festival, Art Walks, and more – Check seasonal listings and flyers in town

🏌️‍♂️ Play & Explore

Things to do in Shelter Cove, Califonia include a 9-hole golf course with spectacular views and Gyppo Brewing Company for a beer and a bite after the hole.
  • Shelter Cove Golf Course – California’s only oceanfront 9-hole links course. A public course with views you’ll never forget. Bring your own gear or rent locally. At the end of the last hole, you’ll discover Gyppo Ale Mill for a beer and bite.
  • Wine Tasting at Briceland Vineyards – Just a scenic drive inland, this small, award-winning winery offers tastings by appointment. Briceland Vineyards is on the road between Redway and Shelter Cove
  • See the Elk – Roosevelt elk can often be spotted in nearby Sinkyone Wilderness or along the drive from Redway.
  • Avenue of the Giants – One of the most scenic drives in the country. Towering redwoods just an hour away make for a perfect day trip.

🎣 Outdoor Sports & Adventure

  • Surfing & Breaks – Shelter Cove offers advanced surf spots including Deadman’s, No Pass, and Third Reef. Best suited to experienced surfers. Check with locals.
  • Sea Kayaking – The rocky shoreline offers beauty and challenge. Only recommended in calm conditions or with a guide.
  • Guided Treks – Explore with experts via local guides like Lost Coast Adventures and Wildland Trekking.
  • Sport Fishing Charters – Fish for halibut, salmon, lingcod, rockfish, and even albacore tuna in season. Local charters depart from the marina daily in summer.

Shelter Cove is one of California’s premiere ocean fishing destinations. Sport fishing enthusiasts come for the salmon, which come close to the shore here May through August. Anglers can also catch an abundance of ling cod, rock cod, halibut, albacore and surf perch, and can fish from the shore for perch or rock fish. Fishermen can also launch a boat from the cove, which Point Delgada protects from the northwesterly winds.

Visitors can buy fishing licenses at Shelter Cove stores or charter a boat from a sport fishing business for a guided angling adventure. On calm days, abalone diving is also an option.

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🌲 Nearby Destinations

  • Richardson Grove State Park – Trails, picnics, and swimming in the Eel River
  • Humboldt Redwoods State Park – Home of the tallest trees on Earth
  • Sinkyone Wilderness State Park – Remote, stunning, and full of wildlife

⚠️ Ocean Safety – Always respect the Pacific especially along the Lost Coast. The drop-off is very steep, the water gets cold quickly as a result, and sneaker waves are very real. Never turn your back on the sea, and supervise children closely.

🔗 See Also

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