Enderts Beach Trail

Enderts Beach Trail is a 1.2-mile out-and-back from the south end of Enderts Beach Road, following the Coastal Trail to a signed spur and a rocky beach. The listed distance is 0.6 mile each way. It is a good pick if you want an ocean walk rather than another redwood loop; allow about an hour for the hike and extra time to explore the shore.

The approach follows coastal bluffs along the bed of the old Redwood Highway, moved inland to the present US 101 after erosion and slides. After about a third of a mile, take the signed right-hand spur before the Coastal Trail crosses Nickel Creek. Two wayside panels explain coastal vegetation and tidepool life. The spur drops roughly 200 feet to the ocean, so the short distance still means a noticeable climb on the way back. The route also passes the former Nickel Creek Campground, a popular backcountry camp closed after a 2017 landslide; little remains at the site.

At low tide, rocky pools are easier to explore, so check the tide before setting out if that is the point of the visit. Nickel Creek reaches the ocean beside a large rock at the beach. The last access to the sand crosses slippery rock and passes beneath a small arch; use care and leave time to get back before the tide rises. For a photo, put the arch or dark shore rocks in the foreground with the sea stacks and surf beyond them.

Park at the southern end of Enderts Beach Road, near Crescent Beach Overlook. Parking is limited, and RVs and trailers are not advised. Restrooms and information are at the parking area; there are no facilities on the beach. Rockfall can affect or close the cliffside approach, so check park conditions before you go. The beach is unsafe for swimming because of cold water, strong currents and sneaker waves; keep back from the surf even at low tide. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.