Trinidad is an eccentric and bustling ocean village in the heart of old growth redwoods overlooking the Pacific Ocean below. The village of Trinidad has several small specialty shops, coffee houses, and even a fish market. Trinidad Bay has a fishing pier, restaurant and is often sprinkled with working fishing boats.
Trinidad vicinity is riddled with gorgeous beaches and parks that embody several delicate eco-environments from ocean fisheries and tide pools to the stunted and less varied old growth species closest to the coast to the coastal old-growth areas that have taller, larger and more varied species just feet inland of the coastal stands.
The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration names Trinidad, CA as having the cleanest air in North America. This could be thanks to the amazing redwoods and other old growth that serve as living air filters. This coastal ecosystem is not only very beautiful but also delicate with the coastal moisture and lower temperatures creating the right environment for specialized creatures such as the northern spotted owl, blue heron, marbled murrelet, red vole, flying squirrel and many more.
Trinidad is a hot spot for whale watching from the heights of the Trinidad cliffs or from the soft shores below for gray whales and humpback whales. Other marine animals to watch for are sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, Risso's dolphins, common dolphins, Dall's Porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphins, northern right whale dolphins, and even killer whales. The best locations for viewing are on Trinidad Head or Elk Head at the end of the gradual hiking trails that start in Trinidad.
Indian beach, near Trinidad State Beach, is a great southern starting point to explore the tide pools that venture as far north as Patrick's Point State Park. The Humboldt State University Marine Lab and Aquarium are nearby where there are tide pool touch tanks.
Trinidad has a lot more hiking trails than just the Trinidad Head trail, all of which are great ways to intimately explore this beautiful region. Activities around Trinidad are easily accessed such as kayaking, surfing, beach combing, hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and bird watching.
North of Trinidad is the Redwood National and State Parks corridor with tons more of the same activity opportunities and more gorgeous old growth, coastline and enchanted paths.