Patrick’s Point State Park
A Lush Forest Promontory beside the Pacific
Review by Stefani Hays
“Whether you hope to see beautiful vegetation, a view of the Pacific Ocean, or sea lions playing, one of the hikes at Patrick’s Point will offer one, if not all of these things!”
Mist on the ocean at Patrick’s Point State Park (photo by Peter Unger)
Patrick’s Point may be hours from the nearest big city, but this state park, which sits 25 miles north of Eureka on the beautiful California coastline, is well worth going out of your way to visit. While the actual park is only one-square-mile, there is plenty to do and see to keep one busy for a day-trip or an overnight camping adventure.
The history of Patrick’s Point can be traced back through generations of the Yurok people. The mild climate and abundant wildlife in the area made it a great place to live. Unfortunately, in 1850, when gold was discovered in California, the Yurok people had to face large numbers of settlers, who often attacked them and brought with them new diseases, both of which caused the numbers of the Yurok to decrease dramatically. They did, however, make a fantastic recovery and are now one of the largest tribes in California, with about 5,500 Yurok living in the surrounds areas of Humboldt and Del Norte counties. In 1929, the California State Park Commission purchased Patrick’s Point.
The park’s dense forest consists of spruce, hemlock, pine, fir and red alder trees and stretches over an ocean headland with meadows of wildflowers. Of course there is also the Pacific Coast shoreline, which offers sandy beaches, sheer cliffs, and tide pools to explore.
My family used to go to Patrick’s Point every summer when I was a kid, and my memories are mostly of the sheer beauty all around. Every road and trail has a canopy of trees, making me feel like I was on the set of Robin Hood. Wildflowers could be found everywhere and the smell was just heavenly. I believe some of the flowers included Indian blanket and poppies, to name a few.
The beautiful trails of Patrick’s Point offer hiking for any skill level and age. A total of six miles of trails run throughout the park, and many offer breathtaking views. When I was a younger child, we would hike the Rim Trail, which is 2 miles one way from Palmer’s Point Road to Agate Campground. Another great hike was from Agate Campground to Agate Beach (I’ll get to that later!), or up to Wedding Rock, which has a great view. Whether you hope to see beautiful vegetation, a view of the Pacific Ocean, or sea lions playing, one of the hikes at Patrick’s Point will offer one if not all of these things! You can check in at the visitor’s center for more information and maps of the area.
In my opinion, the best part of Patrick’s Point is Agate Beach, at the north end of the park. Agate Beach gets its name from the semi-precious stones which can be found all over, including agates, jade and jasper. As a kids, we would spend hours here on our bellies listening to the waves crash and digging for the beautiful clear rocks. It’s a “soft” rocky beach. If you prefer tide pools and sea creatures, Palmer’s Point Beach at the south end of the park may be for you. You can pick up a brochure at the visitor center to help identify the different types of tide pools.
It is important to keep in mind that while the beaches and water are beautiful and inviting, the ocean off Patrick’s Point is too dangerous and cold for swimming. Also, for all of you who may bring your furry friends, dogs are not allowed on the beach or trails. They may be in the campgrounds and day-use areas but must be kept inside at night and on a leash during the day.
In addition to the natural beauty of the trails and beaches, you can also visit Sumêg Village, which has traditional Yurok houses, a sweathouse, changing houses, a redwood canoe and a dance house. This area helps educate visitors about the history and culture of the Yurok people.
Patrick’s Point is a great place to spend a few hours or a few days, and as such, there are several different campgrounds with a total of about 120 separate campsites. I loved camping there, as each campsite was very secluded with shrubs and trees, so you really couldn’t see any other campsites from your own. Each campsite has a table and fire pit, and restrooms and coin-operated showers are nearby.
The bottom line is that Patrick’s Point is one of the treasures of California and you should do yourself a favor and add it to your list of places to visit if you’re ever on the north coast (or plan a trip there just to see it!).
