Pros & cons
PROS
- Rare camouflaged WWII site disguised as a farmhouse and barn
- Quick, easy stop off Coastal Drive with coastal views nearby
CONS
- Buildings are closed and on-site signage is limited
- Narrow, unpaved access road with limited parking and no restrooms
Overview
Hidden just off Coastal Drive, the World War II Radar Station B-71 is a quirky slice of wartime history: two concrete-block buildings dressed up as a farm to fool enemy eyes. It’s a short, low-effort stop that blends a fascinating story with rugged ocean scenery.
What You’ll See
You’ll walk right up to the “farmhouse” (power building) and “barn” (operations building) — complete with false siding and other built-in camouflage touches. The interiors are closed, but the exteriors tell the tale. Remnants of the old two-stall privy and traces of gun positions linger, and there’s interpretive signage to frame what you’re looking at. Expect weathered structures and a windswept, dramatic coastline; keep an eye out for banana slugs along the path.
Getting There
Access is via Coastal Drive, a narrow, unpaved gravel road. Large vehicles aren’t recommended, and trailers aren’t allowed. Park at the small pullout signed as the WWII Radar Farmhouse Trailhead and walk a very short path downhill to the site. If you’re hiking Flint Ridge, the trailhead sits about 0.5 mile south of Flint Ridge Camp along Coastal Drive/Trail.
Know Before You Go
There are no facilities here — no restrooms, water, or indoor access. The ground can be muddy from runoff and erosion, so wear sturdy shoes. Parking is just a small pullout, and the road is slow-going; plan accordingly. Please don’t climb on or enter the fragile historic structures.
Why It’s Interesting
B-71 was part of a coastal early-warning network built in 1942–43 and was the northernmost station of its kind in California. About 35 Army Air Corps personnel kept it running around the clock, backed by military police and anti-aircraft guns. Its farm disguise is the hook — a clever bit of deception meant to hide its purpose from prying eyes. In mid-1944 it shifted to emergency rescue service and operated through the end of the war. Today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Best Time to Visit
Swing by on weekday mornings or late afternoons for easier parking and softer coastal light. It’s a brief stop — think 10–20 minutes — and pairs well with a leisurely loop of Coastal Drive or a Flint Ridge stroll.
Where it is
41.5220, -124.0786Tips for World War II Radar Station
- 01Avoid taking RVs, buses, or trailers onto Coastal Drive.
- 02Park at the WWII Radar Farmhouse pullout and walk the short path downhill.
- 03Wear sturdy shoes; the site can be muddy from runoff and erosion.
- 04Pair this with a scenic drive of Coastal Drive or a Flint Ridge walk.
- 05Watch your step for banana slugs on the path.
Amenities
Near World War II Radar Station
All places →All trails →
0.7 mi awayHighbluff OverlookClifftop picnic-and-viewpoint with raptors and seasonal whale sightingsParking · Scenic Viewpoint
1.7 mi awayCalifornia Coastal Trail Flint RidgeQuiet redwoods to coast climb with lush understory and surf soundModerate · 8.7 mi · 4.5 hr
2.3 mi awayKlamath River OverlookWhale-watching bluff where the Klamath meets the PacificTrailhead · Parking
2.3 mi awayKlamath River Overlook TrailShort, steep drop to a whale‑watching perch above the KlamathModerate · 1 mi · 48 min
4 mi awayHidden BeachSecluded cove with tidepools, driftwood, and a photogenic sea stackTrailhead · Parking
5.1 mi awayCalifornia Coastal Trail Klamath SectionBluff-top ocean views to Hidden Beach and a whale watching finaleModerate · 5.5 mi · 3.5 hr
5.1 mi awayYurok Loop TrailShort coastal loop with sea stacks, spruce, and a hidden beach optionEasy · 1.2 mi · 36 min
8.3 mi awayFern CanyonA lush creek-walk through soaring, fern-draped wallsTrailhead · Parking
