North Coast of California: Damnation Creek Trail, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Apart from a short stretch in the far south, alongside False Klamath Cove, US 101 runs some way inland during its ten mile journey through Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and even the Coastal Trail stays largely out-of-sight of the ocean owing to the steeply-sloping hills that extend right down to the water's edge. Just one path leads to the Pacific in the state park, the 2 mile Damnation Creek Trail, a scenic if little-hiked route that descends 1,000 feet through redwoods then mixed coastal forest, to a narrow pebble beach. There are many jagged rocks out to sea, large and small, including a photogenic, wave-cut arch.

Location: Damnation Creek Trail, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park