Wheeler Beach(Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, Jackass Creek Beach)

Located in the town of Whitehorn, Wheeler Beach is a very small and narrow hike-in-only beach that is a part of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park.  Wheeler Beach is situated near Wheeler Camp at the point where Jackass Creek meets the North Pacific Ocean.

Wheeler Beach offers a couple of amenities including wilderness campsites and trails.

There are many fun activities at Wheeler Beach including hiking, camping, horseback riding, and backpacking.

Getting to Wheeler Beach requires a little bit of work – the beach can be accessed via the Lost Coast Trail backpacking trail and there is a paid parking lot nearby. After parking, you will need to walk north or south from Usal Beach or Bear Harbor Beach respectively to reach Wheeler Beach. Please note that you must get a wilderness permit to hike on this trail from Usal Campground or Needle Rock Visitor Center.

If you are looking for attractions near Wheeler Beach, you can drive two hours and 30 minutes to Old Town Eureka, a historical district that is spread across 350 acres and contains 154 buildings from the Victorian era. Old Town Eureka hosts many monthly and annual events including Blues By the Bay, a street fair on the Fourth of July, and First Saturday Arts Alive! – an art event that features more than 80 local galleries, wines, non-alcoholic drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and performances by musicians, jugglers, poets, and fire dancers. The Clarke Historical Museum is located in Old Town Eureka and has an entire Native American wing with cultural and creative collections from the Wiyot, Yurok, Karuk, and Hupa tribes. Sequoia Park Zoo is home to many incredible animal species including brown-headed spider monkeys, white-handed gibbons, red junglefowl, red pandas, Orinoco geese, flamingos, and black bears. Another great attraction is Arcata Ball Park, a baseball venue where you can see the local collegiate team Humboldt Crabs play.

If you get hungry, it is advisable to plan and carry snacks as there are not many restaurants near Wheeler Beach. The closest restaurant, ‘Just Two Sinks,’ is a one hour and 46-minute drive away – it is a Mediterranean restaurant that features Fettuccine Alfredo, pasta, chicken, and beef dishes along with special items for vegans. The organic restaurant Amillia’s offers chicken sandwiches, cheese bread, wraps, rolls, and fries. Another good restaurant is Souji House, an Asian restaurant serving seafood, sushi, and Japanese cuisines.

If you are looking for a hotel near Wheeler Beach, there are many options within a two-hour drive. The 3-Star hotel Hampton Inn & Suites Arcata, CA features a pool, fitness center, and whirlpools. If you are looking for affordable hotels, Comfort Inn Arcata-Humboldt Area offers a pool, fitness center, and tennis courts – and the 2-Star Days Inn & Suites Arcata welcomes dogs on leash.