Thirty miles north of Eureka, Patricks Point State Park sits on a lushly forested promontory beside the Pacific Ocean.

The one-square-mile park is densely packed with potential adventures. On a short walk around the perimeter of the park, you can hunt for agates, explore tidepools, and walk through a jungle of shrubs and trees as you peer out at seals, sea lions, and migrating whales. In the parks interior, youll find a visitor center, a native plant garden, and a reconstructed Yurok plank-house village. You can picnic or wake up to birdsong at one of three campgrounds. In summer, you can witness a traditional ceremony at Sumêg Village or take a hike led by a docent or professional naturalist.

40–65°F. in summer, 35–55° in winter. Night and morning fog lurks almost all year. Sometimes it doesn't lift for days at a time in summer. Beautiful, clear days are more common in spring and fall.