Westport-Union Landing State Beach

Drive north on Highway 1 from Fort Bragg — about 25 kilometres — and you'll reach the beach in roughly five minutes once you hit Westport. Day-use parking is free; overnight campers pay a fee in cash or check only (no cards accepted), and camping is first-come, first-served. An entry fee applies for state park access, though a California State Parks annual pass waives it. No booking system exists for parking — arrive early if you're staying overnight.

The beach itself is the main event — three miles of dark cobble shore ideal for slow walks, whale watching, and watching the grey Pacific do its thing. Just 2.1 kilometres away, Portal Rock Vista offers a dramatic coastal overlook worth the short detour. Blues Beach, rated 4.7 out of 5 and about seven kilometres south, adds another wild stretch to explore if you have a second day. For a longer excursion, Usal Beach and the Sinkyone Wilderness — roughly 20 kilometres away — opens up the remote southern Lost Coast via high-clearance vehicle.

There are no food facilities at the beach itself, so bring everything in. The Westport Hotel, 4.5 kilometres away and rated 4.8 out of 5 by over 130 reviewers, is your closest dining option and worth the short drive. If you need a laptop-friendly stop or a coffee before heading out, Sirens Cafe is 4.3 kilometres away.

Howard Creek Ranch Inn sits just 0.3 kilometres from the beach and holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 115 reviews — it's the most convenient base if you'd rather sleep in a bed than a tent. Abalone Point Campground, 1.1 kilometres away and rated 4.3 out of 5, offers another camping option if the state beach sites are taken. There's also a modern house with sweeping ocean views on 20 acres about 1.2 kilometres out, for those who want self-catered comfort close to the coast.

Shoot from the bluff-top campsites at dusk, when the grey water catches the last flat light and the dark cobble shore below creates a stark, graphic contrast. Early morning fog rolling off the Pacific makes for moody long-exposure work — bring a tripod and plan for overcast skies, which suit this coast far better than harsh midday sun.

No hookups and no showers are the baseline here — pack everything you need, including drinking water. Dogs are welcome but must stay on leash throughout the camping areas. The cliff trails descending to the beach are steep and actively eroding; check current conditions before you attempt them, and never descend alone. Most critically: there is no cell service at this beach, so emergency communication is not possible — tell someone your plans before you arrive. Do NOT enter the water. Cold temperatures, a powerful shore break, and sneaker waves on the cobble shore make this stretch genuinely lethal for swimmers; there are no lifeguards. Avoid visiting November through February, when winter storms make the cliff trails dangerous and the bluff-top campsites fully exposed to heavy rain and wind.