Agate Beach (Patrick's Point State Park)

Overview

Located to the north of the city of Trinidad and below oceanfront bluffs, Agate Beach is a popular curve-shaped beach with light brown sand, some pebbly and rocky portions, and some driftwood.  This beach is a part of a larger state park named Sue-meg State Park.  A creek flows through Agate Beach – once this creek passes this beach, it flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Amenities

Although Agate Beach does not have lifeguards, this beach and the area around it have many other amenities including restrooms, barbecues, hiking trails, a nearby campground, and picnic tables.  Dogs are not allowed on Agate Beach.

Activities

Agate Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, fishing, picnicking, rockhounding, tidepooling, and hiking.

Water activities are considerably unsafe in Agate Beach because the water here is known to have dangerous rip currents, dangerous rogue waves, a steep drop-off, and considerably low temperatures.  We also recommend being careful while standing close to the water here because strong sneaker waves can pull you offshore. 

If you like birdwatching, you can see many kinds of birds around Agate Beach – one of the most popular birds that you can see here is the brown pelican.  If you like beachcombing, you can find many beautiful seashells at Agate Beach.  In addition, Agate Beach is also popular with rockhounds because you can also find many kinds of precious stones here including agates, jaspers, and moonstones.  If you are planning to collect and study the precious stones at Agate Beach, we recommend visiting this beach early in the mornings after a high tide because you are more likely to find large amounts of precious stones here at this time.

If you like taking pictures with beautiful views, Agate Beach offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the rugged Humboldt County shoreline and the Pacific Ocean.  The area around Agate Beach also has many fun things to explore including hiking and biking trails, a visitor center, a native plant garden, a reconstructed Native American Yurok village, and a campground.

Disability Access

Agate Beach does not offer wheelchair access to visitors with disabilities.

Parking

Getting to Agate Beach is slightly hard – from the city of Trinidad, you need to drive around six miles north along the Redwood Highway, which is a part of United States Highway 101.  From the Redwood Highway, you need to turn towards Patricks Point Drive, which in turn will eventually lead you to the entrance for Sue-meg State Park.   

Please note that you need to pay a $8 entry fee to enter this state park.  After paying the entrance fees, you need to drive to the free parking lot that is located near a campground named Agate Beach Campground. 

After parking at this parking lot, you need to walk along a quarter-mile-long rugged and steep walking trail that will eventually lead you to Agate Beach.  We recommend wearing layered clothing while visiting Agate Beach because this beach can occasionally have unpredictable and foggy weather.

Fun Fact

The Native American tribes which lived near Agate Beach often used the precious stones found at the beach for making jewelery.

Attractions

There are many attractions near Agate Beach.  Big Lagoon County Park has a large lagoon named Big Lagoon.  The park also has a beach named Big Lagoon County Park Beach and it offers fun activities including hiking, fishing, kayaking, boating, canoeing, wildlife watching, picnicking, and camping.  Humboldt Lagoons State Park is a state park that offers multiple lagoons including Stone Lagoon, Dry Lagoon, and Freshwater Lagoon and it also has multiple beaches including Freshwater Lagoon Beach and Dry Lagoon Beach.  In addition, this state park also offers many fun activities including hiking, picnicking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and wildlife watching.  Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail is a hiking trail that passes through beautiful redwood forests and it offers a unique and fun way to explore the local landscape and biodiversity. 

Trinidad Museum offers interesting exhibitions that offer a unique insight into Trinidad’s vibrant history and it also has a collection of Native American artifacts, a seasonal pond, and a native plant garden.  If you are looking for another attraction near Agate Beach,  Trinidad Head is a 350-feet tall oceanfront promontory that offers many fun activities including hiking and wildlife watching and it also offers amazing views of Trinidad Bay and Humboldt County shoreline.  This park also offers an interesting wooden cross and a 19th-century lighthouse named Trinidad Head Lighthouse.

Restaurants

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Agate Beach.  The Larrupin’ Cafe is an upscale restaurant that serves many amazing New American gourmet dishes including lamb chops, chicken cordon bleu, smoked beef brisket, seafood, and steaks.  Trinidad Bay Eatery & Gallery offers many amazing dishes including breakfast dishes, seafood, pastas, burgers, sandwiches, and steaks.  Seascape Restaurant offers delicious seafood including clam chowder, fish-and-chips, and smoked salmon – it also offers many other amazing dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Beachcomber Cafe is known for offering many amazing breakfast dishes including  bagels,  eggs, breakfast bowls, granola, and pancakes and it also serves amazing hot and cold beverages.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Agate Beach, The Lighthouse Grill offers delicious burgers, sandwiches, fries, and seafood – this restaurant is also famous for serving amazing mash-potato cones.

Hotels

If you are looking for a hotel near Agate Beach, there are many great nearby moderately-priced options.  The 3-Star Holiday Inn Express & Suites Arcata/Eureka-Airport Area, an IHG Hotel offers many amenities including a pool, a whirlpool, a fitness center, and complimentary breakfast.  A more affordable hotel is the Trinidad Bay Bed & Breakfast that offers a homely ambiance and it offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast.  A more affordable hotel is the 3-StarView Crest Lodge that offers many fun activities including a lawn, barbecue area, a picnic area, and complimentary breakfast.  Another moderately priced hotel is the 3-Star Hampton Inn & Suites Arcata, CAthat is a 20-minute drive away and offers many amenities including a fitness center, a pool, and complimentary breakfast.  If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Agate Beach, the 2-Star Emerald Forest Cabins & RV offers accommodation in exquisite cabins - this hotel also offers many amenities including bike rentals, a playground and horseshoe pits, a video arcade, a store, and a laundry room.