United States
California (CA)
Humboldt County
Shelter Cove
Things to Do in Shelter Cove
Black Sands Beach

Black Sands Beach, Shelter Cove: Address, Black Sands Beach Reviews: 4.5/5

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Black Sands Beach

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Black Sands Beach
4.5
90
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
90 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
16
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Sondra W
Manhattan Beach, CA633 contributions
Unique experience, worth the windy road to get to!
This beach is definitely worth the windy road to get to it! I guess the road is great as it keeps the tourist out. We went during Covid, so not sure if always empty, or if it was unique to the time period. Really amazing to look down the coast, and see no one. I understand why it is the start of the Lost Coast. The beach goes on forever, and has the most unique rocks. All have been smoothed from years of the ocean beating them and each one has their own story as told through patterns of white lines in the black rocks. Plan to spend time just walking a long the shore, listening to the waves, admiring the rocks, the isolation, and the beauty. It is a treasure that is one of the many reasons California is so spectacular. I would love to come back and do the Lost Coast hike/ camping trip!
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
torimask
Denver, CO187 contributions
Favorite Stop on our CA/OR Road Trip
What an amazing place. We were virtually alone in this alien landscape when we visited last week. The black rock (from the tectonic triangle just offshore) was mesmerizing and felt almost magnetic. The fog and powerful crashing waves against the jutting rocks, the groups of blue shells punctuating the endless black and white. Even the majestic wingspan of the vulture nearby was captivating. The drive here is part of the adventure. We saw elk feeding in one gulch among the switchbacks and giant trees.
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teri F
Long Beach, CA35 contributions
Black Sand Beach
Couples
I just read the other reviews and I agree with all of them. The road to this beach will give your brakes a workout and don’t bring your sunscreen. You won’t need it. What you do get is a place almost no one has been, cold weather, fog, and spectacular scenery. The rocks are fantastic. Crashing, tumultuous waves just daring you to come closer ...
If remote places are your thing, you will love it.
Just fabulous. Don’t tell anyone.
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
POSHtravelier
Waterbury, VT210 contributions
The sand is gravel
Black sand is a bit of a misnomer. The dark color is caused by black rock that has been pummeled into gravel by the ocean. So, if you walk on this beach, be prepared to walk on gravel. Yes, it is rounded gravel, but it is hardly sand.
Written August 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
shoshosho
Saratoga, CA206 contributions
great place for a little hike
very secluded and calm. also very unique that the sand is black. We hiked for a few miles, and it was pretty cool. kinda hard to hike because of the gravels, but doable. must see if you are in Shelter Cove area.
Written August 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Elissa G
Fort Worth, TX12 contributions
Beautiful Beach!
Couples
This beach really is a hidden gem. We went on a Saturday afternoon and saw less than 10 people. The sand is jet black and the water is absolutely gorgeous. A couple of things to keep in mind: It is unsafe to go into the water (rip tides and large waves). It is a bit of a detour from the 101 (about 30 minutes on very windy roads each way). This being said, it's WELL WORTH the trip! :)
Written October 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
adm6987
4 contributions
Beautiful but dangerous!!!
It is a wonderful view. Awesome to walk along the coast and lay on the beach in the sun (far enough from the surf of course) but with the rip tide and sneaker waves it is SO DANGEROUS!!! Just last week a man drowned trying to save his son that had slipped off of the rocks! Locals want to make sure you are safe!!! Do not get to close if walking on rocks and DO NOT SWIM!!!! if you want to swim go to the boat ramp!
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joe B
Central Florida40 contributions
What a mystical, surprising place!
I hesitated to write this review because I selfishly don't want a lot of people to know about this place and possibly spoil it. However, the only route to get to it will probably deter a lot of people from visiting it. On a road trip up the PCH, I took this detour and discovered this unspoiled place. The cold air, overcast skies, and fog rolling off the mountains just make this place so strange and mystical. It's not a sunny, day at the beach kind of place at all. The waves are loud, powerful and dangerous. There's even a sign there warning people that they could die if they go into the water. Some people might not get into places like this like I did. After so many road trips and places I have visited, it's just neat when you find an unexpected out-of-the-way place like this that seems to be unspoiled by man and as nature should be.
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roxhound
Phoenix, AZ36 contributions
Unique beach - Long drive
Solo
This beach is definitely very unusual in that the sand is very fine black rocks. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes. It's definitely very hard to reach since the parking lot is on a hill and then you have to walk down the hill to the trailhead which takes you down to the beach. The beach itself is a bit difficult to walk on in some places because of the large rocks as well. But once we caught our breath it was a lovely walk and very unique. There are signs not to go near the waters edge and it seemed that the waves even at low tide were very strong. It was definitely a very long drive to shelter Cove and although the beach was nice I don't know that I would go out of my way to visit again.
Written July 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amber D
Bountiful, UT31 contributions
Beautiful
Off the beaten path this is the destination not a place youll find along the way. Worth the terrifying drive~
Written December 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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