Mornings are my favorite time of day, especially when they’re spent on the Northern California coastline. On a recent road trip through NorCal’s Highway 1, I woke up before the sun and moseyed my way into one of the most subtly beautiful places I’ve ever been, Patrick’s Point State Park.
Where is Patrick’s Point State Park?
Located just off Highway 101 in the heart of Redwood country, Patrick’s Point is beyond the type of place you want to wake up to. Although it’s only one-square-mile, it offers a jungle-like atmosphere on the banks of its gorgeous beaches. Tide pools, songbirds and serenity are just a few things you’ll find on an early morning here.
Be sure to check the park’s website here for any alerts or current information
Significance of Patrick’s Point
Interestingly enough, the Patrick’s Point State Park area of the California coastline displays various hints to past geological processes. The rocks that comprise the cliffs around the beach are representative of an interaction between two different tectonic plates, the Gorda and the continental North American. The area between the tectonic plates on the ocean floor and coastline were scraped from the earth’s crust and stuck to the land.
Along with that geological significance, Patrick’s Point is home to a wide range of marine life. Spend some time on the beach looking out for sea lions, seals and migrating whales.
Waking Up to Patrick’s Point State Park
As the Trinidad rest area acts as my home for the night, I awaken with a goal to find a sunrise spot. I hop on Highway 101 to continue towards Oregon and within a mile I see a sign for Patrick’s Point State Park. The coastline sounds like a worthy place for sunrise so I make a bee-line for the entrance.
Finding a Trail in Patrick’s Point State Park
Since phone service doesn’t exist out in this neck of the Redwoods, I couldn’t find a trail to hike online. Thinking I’ll stumble upon something anyways, I head through the Patrick’s Point’s unmanned entry booth. Taking an envelope, I pay my $8 in the drop deposit box and drive in to the foggy darkness. Within another mile, I find myself in a parking lot next to campgrounds and cabins. As the light starts taking hold of the day, I grab my camera and set off to find the trailhead.
Sunrise in Patrick’s Point State Park
Before I reach the trailhead towards the beach, I am completely taken aback by what’s in front of me. Rolling in over the beach, a string of clouds lower themselves into the cove. Preventing the sand below from receiving any color, the sky puts on a magical display with a rainbow sunrise.
Now I can’t wait to get to that beach!
Reaching Agate Beach
Within a quarter mile on the trail through the jungle-like atmosphere, I traverse down the remaining steps towards Agate Beach. All at once, that cloud from above began floating downward, surrounding me completely. And what a sight it was!
Complete with driftwood, tide pools and a gorgeous rugged coastline, Agate Beach was my favorite area in Patrick’s Point. That hazy coastline and stunning sunrise colors were the icing on the cake for my morning and the perfect place to wake up to.
Read More California Travel Posts HereBefore heading in to any natural areas, it’s imperative that you’re familiar with the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
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