Overview
Trinidad is in Humboldt County, California, one of California's smallest incorporated cities by population (367 residents in 2010, up from 311 residents in 2000). Trinidad is noted for its spectacular coastline with ten public beaches and offshore rocks, part of the California Coastal National Monument, of which Trinidad is a Gateway City.[9] Fishing operations related to Trinidad Harbor are vital to both local tourism and commercial fishery interests in the region.
10 sights
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Trinidad
Little River State Beach
A protected beach of California, United States, in Humboldt County. It is located at the mouth of the Little River, 13 miles (21 km) north of Eureka right off U.S. Route 101. The 152-acre (62 ha) park was established in …
Sue-meg State Park
Sue-meg State Park is 25 miles (40 km) north of Eureka, California in the heart of California's coast redwood country. The park is home to many tree species including coastal redwoods, spruce, hemlock, pine, fir and red …
Trinidad State Beach
Trinidad State Beach is 20 miles (30 km) north of Eureka in Humboldt County, California. This scenic State Beach is accessed from a signposted side road at Trinity Street and Stagecoach Road in the seaside town of Trinid…
Trinidad Head Light
National Registered Landmark #1720
Trinidad Head
State Historic Landmark #146
Town of Trinidad
State Historic Landmark #216
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 100°F; winter lows dip to about 37°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Redding)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ACV California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport, Arcata/Eureka — 6 mi away. Directions
- CEC Jack Mc Namara Field Airport, Crescent City — 50 mi away. Directions
- SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 212 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Little River State Beach, Trinidad State Beach, Trinidad Head
- Afternoon Old Indian Village of Tsurai, Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory
Day 2
- Morning Sue-meg State Park, Trinidad Head Light, Town of Trinidad
- Afternoon Trinidad Pier, Trinidad City Cemetery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Trinidad is small by anyone's measure, but is big on natural beauty and charm.
Get in
By car
- Trinidad shares its 'one way in, one way out' road status with the other towns in this area. You will arrive by car either from the north or the south on Highway 101.
By plane
- Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) is a small airport served by a single carrier, United Express, with 3 or 4 flights daily to San Francisco-SFO. The airport is located in the town of McKinleyville, about 8 miles south of Trinidad.
By bus
- Bus service is provided by Amtrak and Greyhound. Amtrak Thruway buses go from Eureka to the Capitol Corridor train at Martinez, northeast of San Francisco. You must have a ticket for a trip on the train to use Amtrak Thruway. Greyhound provides service to Oakland, California.
Get around
- You can get around by car, bike, or on foot. You can rent a bike from Salty's Supply Co. for around $20 a day. They also rent surfboards, wet suits, and kayaks.
See
See Sue-meg State Park
Sue-meg State Park is 25 miles (40 km) north of Eureka, California in the heart of California's coast redwood country. The park is home to many tree species including coastal redwoods, spruce, hemlock, pine, fir and red alder and wildflower meadows with a shoreline that consists of sandy beaches and sheer cliffs against the Pacific Ocean. Amenities include hiking trails, a recreated Yurok Village, a native plant garden, visitor center, three family campgrounds, two group camps, a camp for hikers and bicyclists, accessible beaches, lookout points, and three group picnic areas.
See Trinidad State Beach
Trinidad State Beach is 20 miles (30 km) north of Eureka in Humboldt County, California. This scenic State Beach is accessed from a signposted side road at Trinity Street and Stagecoach Road in the seaside town of Trinidad. The parking lot at Trinidad Bay below Trinidad Head is another popular access point. The offshore rocks are part of the California Coastal National Monument. Colorful tide pools provide specimens to Humboldt State University's Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory located in Trinidad. Nearby Parks include Little River State Beach just south of Trinidad, and to the north, Sue-meg State Park.
See Trinidad Pier
See Fred Telonicher Marine Laboratory
See Trinidad City Cemetery
Includes Indian and settler graves and one unusual tombstone. Edward Bernhardt Schnaubelt was the brother of Rudolph Schnaubelt, accused of the Haymarket Riot bombing in Chicago, Illinois and the brother-in-law of Michael Schwab, sentenced to death for his role in the riot. All three Schnaubelt brothers left Chicago shortly after the riot. Edward Schnaubelt briefly panned for gold before settling in Trinidad, opening a sawmill and buying a tract of timber to supply his mill. After Schnaubelt's mill was taken over by his rivals, he re-entered the closed mill at night to reclaim his personal tools, and was shot to death by a nightwatchman hired to protect the property. His wife chose the phrase "Murdered by Capitalism" for his marker which inspired the 2004 book by John Ross.
Nearby
McKinleyville
City / town · 5 listings · 8 mi away
Arcata
City / town · 39 listings · 14 mi away
Blue Lake
City / town · 2 listings · 15 mi away
Eureka
City / town · 24 listings · 18 mi away
Redwood National Park
Park · 20 listings · 27 mi away
Fortuna
City / town · 7 listings · 32 mi away
Klamath
City / town · 8 listings · 33 mi away
Ferndale
City / town · 4 listings · 34 mi away
My experience
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