Little River State Beach, State beach in Humboldt County, United States.
Little River State Beach is a coastal area in Humboldt County on California's Pacific shore. It features wide sandy dunes and an estuary where the Little River meets the ocean, creating a varied landscape of sand, water, and coastal habitat.
The area was established as a protected state park in 1931 by California State Parks to preserve natural coastal environments. This action was part of a broader effort to safeguard important beach areas for future generations.
The beach serves as a destination for local residents who participate in traditional activities such as clam digging, beachcombing, and nature observation.
Access to the beach is through a trail from a free parking area on Clam Beach Drive, located between McKinleyville and Trinidad near Highway 101. The walk from the parking area is straightforward and takes only a few minutes to reach the sand.
The sand dunes here form a natural protective zone between the ocean and inland areas, creating two distinct habitats. This dune system is a characteristic feature that supports specialized plants and animals adapted to sandy conditions found nowhere else nearby.
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