If you’re looking for some beautiful and memorable waterfront trails, Northern California is full of them. Whether you want to walk along the beach, along the shore of a river or a lake, or dip your toes in a reservoir, this area has it all. Check out these five great trails for starters, but the possibilities are truly endless in the Golden Gate State. Get out there and enjoy it!
- Endert’s Beach via California Coastal Trail; Redwood National Park
Frances Waldrop/AllTrails Let’s start with a very good one - this is one of the best waterfront trails in California or anywhere. It’s rated moderate, but it’s rather easy, actually, and its only 1.3 miles in length. Enderts Beach Road, Enderts Beach Rd, Crescent City, CA, USA
Shelby Doran/AllTrails The views that you see on this trail will stay with you forever. The trail goes along a high cliff but eventually descends to a perfect beach. You’ll love this one.
- Truckee River Trail; Tahoe National Forest
Daniel Obenberger/AllTrails This easy, paved trail follows the Truckee River for 10.2 miles with little elevation gain, making it accessible to all. Truckee, CA 96161, USA
Victor Morales/AllTrails This trail is kid-friendly and is great for biking, too.
- Kehoe Beach Trail; Point Reyes National Seashore
J Golz/All Trails This trail will take you right to the beach. On the way, you’ll pass beautiful fields of wildflowers. You can bring your dog as long as you keep him or her on a leash. Kehoe Beach Trail, California 94937, USA
Louie Z/AllTrails This out-and-back trail is 2.5 miles long. It can be popular, but the beach is so vast that you’ll still be able to enjoy feelings of solitude.
- Bailey Cove Loop Trail; Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Nina Lindsay/AllTrails This 2.6-mile loop trail will take you out onto and around a peninsula in Shasta Lake. It’s great for hiking or mountain biking. Bailey Cove, California 96070, USA
Cameron Mozayan/AllTrails You’ll get great views of the surrounding mountains and of the marina and its many houseboats. This trail is rated moderate.
- Big River Trail; Mendocino Headlands State Park
Matt Wright/AllTrails This trail is 16 miles long but don’t feel like you have to do the whole thing - even bits and pieces of this trail are lovely. Big River, Mendocino, CA 95460, USA
Cameron Pinkerton/AllTrails The trail is moderately challenging, but worth it. It’s great for biking or hiking, and this area is also excellent for kayaking if you brought one along.
There’s so much to see and enjoy in Northern California. These waterfront trails are just a start! In Northern California, there’s something amazing around every corner. These trails are proof.
Frances Waldrop/AllTrails
Let’s start with a very good one - this is one of the best waterfront trails in California or anywhere. It’s rated moderate, but it’s rather easy, actually, and its only 1.3 miles in length.
Enderts Beach Road, Enderts Beach Rd, Crescent City, CA, USA
Shelby Doran/AllTrails
The views that you see on this trail will stay with you forever. The trail goes along a high cliff but eventually descends to a perfect beach. You’ll love this one.
Daniel Obenberger/AllTrails
This easy, paved trail follows the Truckee River for 10.2 miles with little elevation gain, making it accessible to all.
Truckee, CA 96161, USA
Victor Morales/AllTrails
This trail is kid-friendly and is great for biking, too.
J Golz/All Trails
This trail will take you right to the beach. On the way, you’ll pass beautiful fields of wildflowers. You can bring your dog as long as you keep him or her on a leash.
Kehoe Beach Trail, California 94937, USA
Louie Z/AllTrails
This out-and-back trail is 2.5 miles long. It can be popular, but the beach is so vast that you’ll still be able to enjoy feelings of solitude.
Nina Lindsay/AllTrails
This 2.6-mile loop trail will take you out onto and around a peninsula in Shasta Lake. It’s great for hiking or mountain biking.
Bailey Cove, California 96070, USA
Cameron Mozayan/AllTrails
You’ll get great views of the surrounding mountains and of the marina and its many houseboats. This trail is rated moderate.
Matt Wright/AllTrails
This trail is 16 miles long but don’t feel like you have to do the whole thing - even bits and pieces of this trail are lovely.
Big River, Mendocino, CA 95460, USA
Cameron Pinkerton/AllTrails
The trail is moderately challenging, but worth it. It’s great for biking or hiking, and this area is also excellent for kayaking if you brought one along.
Looking for more great trails in Northern California? Check out this list: 15 Of The Most Scenic Hikes In Northern California You’ll Love
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