{"id":453,"date":"2015-06-16T20:30:28","date_gmt":"2015-06-16T20:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.explorenorthcoast.net\/?page_id=453"},"modified":"2025-04-24T23:00:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T23:00:19","slug":"favorite-places","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/?page_id=453","title":{"rendered":"Explore the North Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Stewardship<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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\"Seals\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As kayakers who venture to offshore rocks and islands, and poke around in nooks and crannies along the coast, it\u2019s important to know about the laws and etiquette that keep our coast and its inhabitants protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine Protected Areas<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2012, California established a statewide network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to conserve ocean resources. The network protects 16% of California\u2019s coastal waters, provides a series of refuges for ocean creatures to recover and thrive, and gives people countless recreational opportunities. Click here<\/a> for brochures, fishing guides with maps and regulations for the MPAs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MPA Special Closures<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most importantly, some offshore rocks and islands, such as Castle Rock near Crescent City, have been designated \u201cSpecial Closures\u201d to prevent any disturbance to the species that occupy these features. Generally, fishing and boating activities are prohibited within 300 feet of a Special Closure. Click here<\/a> for a complete list of North Coast MPAs and Special Closures, including maps and restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The 1972 federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) establishes safe marine life viewing guidelines. In general, the law states to maintain 300 feet away from whales, and 150 feet away from seals and sea lions. This is especially important when babies are present. Seal babies can be seen beginning in February, and are often left alone while the mother feeds. Please do not attempt to rescue an \u201cabandoned\u201d baby seal. If you are concerned, or want more information, contact the Northeast Marine Mammal Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pelagic Bird Nesting Areas<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Beginning in May, and continuing through August, many amazing birds come in from the ocean to our off shore rocks to nest and raise chicks. Disturbing these birds can result in predation on the eggs and chicks by crows, ravens, seagulls and eagles. In the case of the threatened common murre, disturbances can result in complete colony collapse, so it\u2019s important to maintain distance. Prominent nesting areas include the front of Trinidad Head (cormorants), and Pilot, Blank, Flatiron, and Green Rocks off the Trinidad Coast; and Castle Rock off of the Crescent City Coast for the common murres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s be good stewards of this incredible coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite Places<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are many incredible places to paddle in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. The ones briefly<\/em> mentioned here are just a sample. For a complete and detailed description of the kayaking opportunities found in our bays, estuaries, lagoons, rivers and ocean, check out Sea Kayaking the Redwood Coast<\/strong><\/em><\/span>,<\/a> the sea kayaking paddle guide written by members of Explore North Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CRESCENT CITY \u2014 <\/strong>Crescent City has many great paddling opportunities. South Beach is one of the premiere surf spots in our region. If the surf is too nasty, launch from Whaler Island and paddle in the harbor and\/or the offshore rocks, possibly as far north as Battery Point lighthouse, or beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HUMBOLDT LAGOONS \u2014 <\/strong>There are a series of breathtaking coastal lagoons in Humboldt County. Our favorites are Stone Lagoon and Big Lagoon. Stone Lagoon is about two miles south of Orick and about 12 miles north of Trinidad. The launch is generally from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan’s Cove, along the southwestern shore of Stone Lagoon, is a hidden paradise with boat-in camping and six primitive campsites. Part of the California State Parks, it’s a wonderful place for a fun-filled family retreat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Big Lagoon, the launch is from Big Lagoon County Park, located about seven miles north of Trinidad. From Hwy. 101, turn west onto Big Lagoon County Park Road and follow the signs to the day use area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRINIDAD \u2014<\/strong> Trinidad is one of the premier paddle locations along the north coast. Launch points include State Beach, if conditions allow, or Indian Beach. Take the Trinidad exit (exit 728) off Hwy. 101.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Indian Beach launch site is at the far end of the paved lot. After unloading your boat and gear, park your vehicle in the sandy parking lot by State Beach so that customer parking for the Seascape Restaurant is not impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MAD RIVER SLOUGH \u2014 <\/strong>Mad River Slough meanders north for about five miles from the northwest border of Humboldt Bay. It\u2019s part of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and a fascinating place to paddle. Ride the flood tide into the slough about two hours before high tide, explore the area and then ride the ebb back to the launch. From Arcata and the Arcata\/Samoa Blvd. exit (exit 713) from Hwy. 101, head west on Samoa Blvd. (Hwy. 255) for 3.7 miles. Cross over the Mad River Slough Bridge and park on the right side of the road. From Eureka, head west on Hwy. 255 across the Samoa Bride to the stop sign at Samoa Boulevard\/New Navy Base Rd. Turn right and travel about 3.1 miles. Do not block the driveway of the lumber mill. A gravel ramp leads to the water.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Crescent City<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Lagoons<\/a>
Humboldt Lagoons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"TrinidadEdit\"<\/a>
Trinidad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Mad River Slough<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/a> for links to North Coast maps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stewardship As kayakers who venture to offshore rocks and islands, and poke around in nooks and crannies along the coast, it\u2019s important to know about the laws and etiquette that keep our coast and its inhabitants protected. Marine Protected Areas In 2012, California established a statewide network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to conserve ocean […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4053,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-453","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=453"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/453\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5295,"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/453\/revisions\/5295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorenorthcoast.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}