Humboldt State University Marine Laboratory - The Marine Lab features marine life of the North Coast. In the aquarium tanks, there are ghostly strawberry anemones, sand dabs camouflaged in the sand, a giant Pacific octopus spreading its reddish tentacles over the glass, or grass-green pipe fish that look just like a piece of sea grass. Outside in the touch tanks, plunge your hands into the cool salt water to touch an exquisite red sea urchin, a pale green giant sea anemone, a soft squishy sunflower sea star or a rough, calcified leather sea star. This lab is free and one of our favorites!

Trinidad State Beach - After you've been to the marine lab, head down to the beach at Trinidad Bay, a long curving sandy beach where you can run up and down and look for those creatures in the tide pools. Ask at the local stores for a tide table (tide pools are best at low tide). From the shore, you can also look for whales, seals, sea lions and harbor porpoises off shore.

Trinidad Head - From beach parking lot, take the trail that goes up and around Trinidad Head (1.5 miles) - gorgeous views in all directions on a clear day. Some of the trail goes through thick vegetation, like tunnels. Easy hike for all, including young kids.

Elk Head and College Cove - Another fun hike is one to Elk Head, a largely level trail that follows along the headlands, with views of Pewetole Island and dramatic coastline. Hike is 1.3 miles from Elk Head parking lot (off Stagecoach Rd.)