The Lost Coast and Shelter Cove
From Victorian Ferndale over the Mattole Road to California’s most remote coast, through old-growth redwoods to the black sand of Shelter Cove.
- Distance
- 184 km (114 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 02 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- States
- CA
- Updated
- June 4, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 184 km (114 mi) with 8 stops, from Eureka to Black Sands Beach. About 2 h 02 min of driving in total.
More road trips in California · More road trips from Eureka
Route description
The Lost Coast is the one stretch of California coast that the highways gave up on. From Eureka, drive to the painted Victorian storefronts of Ferndale, then take the Mattole Road over the Wildcat hills and down to the sea near Cape Mendocino.
The road runs along the beach for a few miles before turning inland to Petrolia. From here Lighthouse Road leads to Mattole Beach, the start of a beach walk to the abandoned Punta Gorda Lighthouse; go at low tide and watch for elephant seals.
The Mattole Road then winds through Honeydew and the Rockefeller Forest, one of the largest old-growth redwood groves, to meet the Avenue of the Giants. It is narrow, steep, partly patched and not for large RVs; allow most of a day.
From Garberville and Redway, Shelter Cove Road drops steeply to Shelter Cove, a small village on a headland with a lighthouse and tide pools. Black Sands Beach, just north, is where the King Range meets the ocean; the surf is powerful, so stay well back from the water.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Eureka
CA - 232 km
Ferndale
CA - 334 km
Petrolia
CA - 412 km
Punta Gorda Lighthouse
HistoryPetrolia, CAAn abandoned 1912 lighthouse on the Lost Coast, reached on a beach walk of about three miles from Mattole Beach. Check the tide table before you go.
- 546 km
Avenue of the Giants
NatureWeott, CAA 31-mile road through old-growth coast redwoods in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, running parallel to US-101.
- 628 km
Garberville
CA - 730 km
Shelter Cove
CA - 82 km
Black Sands Beach
NatureShelter Cove, CADark sand and surf below the King Range, the southern end of the Lost Coast Trail. The waves are dangerous; admire them from dry sand.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Eureka → Petrolia · 41 mi · 0 h 44 minOn the way: Ferndale.Overnight nearby, for example: Albee Creek Campground (15 mi); Cuneo Creek Horse Camp (13 mi).
- Day 2: Petrolia → Avenue of the Giants · 36 mi · 0 h 38 minOn the way: Punta Gorda Lighthouse.Overnight nearby, for example: Hike-Bike Camp (1 mi); Burlington Campground (1 mi).
- Day 3: Avenue of the Giants → Black Sands Beach · 38 mi · 0 h 40 minOn the way: Garberville, Shelter Cove.Overnight nearby, for example: Tolkan Campground (3 mi); KOA Benbow (15 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in April–May and July–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is The Lost Coast and Shelter Cove?
3-day road trip of about 184 km (114 mi) with 8 stops, from Eureka to Black Sands Beach. About 2 h 02 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Lost Coast and Shelter Cove?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 02 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Lost Coast and Shelter Cove start and end?
It starts in Eureka and ends in Black Sands Beach.
Which states does The Lost Coast and Shelter Cove pass through?
California.
Where can you camp along The Lost Coast and Shelter Cove?
OpenStreetMap lists 64 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Albee Creek Campground, Hike-Bike Camp and Burlington Campground.
When is the best time for The Lost Coast and Shelter Cove?
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in April–May and July–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
More like this
Photo by Eddie Suh on UnsplashRedwood Coast
© Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA · CC BY 2.0Southern Oregon coast: Cape Arago to the Boardman corridor
© Jeedew · CC BY-SA 3.0