Centerville Beach
Have you been out to Centerville Beach lately? In the past, it's kinda been iffy on how much beach you actually had to work with and how steep the sand slope was to the waves. Earthquakes and normal natural wear and tear has dramatically changed the way the beach has looked in the past - making it more and less accessible at times.
On the last really warm day we enjoyed, I grabbed the brats and headed out to check it out and I was so happy to be greeted by a gorgeous day and a beautiful beach. The wind was minimal and the beach was so flat and clean, with just a gentle slope down to the water. One scary part were the bluffs bordering the beach. They are really start to erode and come down into big silty piles of red dirt that resemble the Sahara desert. While we were there, we saw several mini land slides. It was a little frightening but ultimately, it was so cool showing the kids the different layers of time the bluffs demonstrate. I really think it was their favorite part as each of the kids ended up having red butts due to sitting in the dirt and scooting along.
If you go out to Centerville, take the time and drive-up past the old Centerville Beach Naval Station. It's just a short little jaunt up above the beach and is really interesting to take a look at behind the high fences. The base looks to be in some disrepair but for the most part, it still looks pretty good. It's such a shame that it's going to waste and they can't find some use for it.
There is a gorgeous lookout above the naval station with a sphincter clenching path down to who knows where. I'm terrified of heights and was perfectly content staying in my car and turning around in the viewpoint parking lot. You can see beautiful shots of the ocean and other Lost Coast ranches that dot the bottom of the valley. My friend told me she recently saw whales traveling by, but again, that would require me actually getting out of the car and being near the edge of the cliff. Just the thought of this makes my hands sweat like a water hose and a I get a nauseas feeling in the pit of my stomach. Not doin' the heights thing.
And certainly last but most definitely not least, if you go out to Centerville Beach, please be ever so careful with the ocean. Never turn your back on it and be very careful if you decide to partake amongst it's wet, salty goodness. The ocean is nondiscriminatory and will take anyone she chooses to - and does so many times a year. My voice was harsh by the time we left - mainly from screaming, "GET BACK!" to the three little monsters who don't fully understand or appreciate the respect you should give to this natural beauty.
I'm always looking for other nice beaches to visit in Humboldt County. Do you have any suggestions?
Comments
I like the beaches on the Samoa spit and of course Usau. Mckerriker in Fort Bragg is wonderful, too.
Posted by: kymk | April 24, 2009 05:49 PM
AMAZING!! I miss the beach... gorgeous. BTW, the last paragraph made me LOL! :)
Posted by: Kaiton Berkley | April 24, 2009 06:45 PM
As you well know your mom and I went to table bluff last weekend with the trusty steeds and had a great ride! The weather was a surprise though cold and foggy,warmer in Fortuna. Alot of people came out thinking the same thing warmth but wronged. I like table bluff because of easy access and variety of people that bless its presence-Horses, 4wheelers, fishing, picnicing, and just hanging out with lots of room.
Posted by: Aunt Becky | April 25, 2009 02:35 PM
I second McKerricker in Fort Brag. Also, South spit and Samoa.
I love the walk along the ridge at Patrick's point. Beach at Trinity Head too.
Posted by: Jennifer McKenzie | April 25, 2009 05:38 PM
Is McKerriker the beach with all the sea glass? I heard about it being super cool to visit and rockhound.
Posted by: Sandi | April 25, 2009 06:02 PM
Sorry to say born and raised in Humboldt and I hate the beach! If my kids pester me enough I may make a Centerville Beach run every few years but that is about it. It is usually freezing cold, the wind is always howling, the sand gets everywhere including in the car and then I too am on constant alert to make sure my kids don't become one of the stats I deal with at work. Then add the high rate of car burglaries at local beaches not to mention other random crimimal activity... Local beaches are not for me. Some areas are gorgeous and on one of the few warm wind free days it can be quite the trip, but it is not normally my first choice. Now I am looking forward to taking my boys to Hawaii in a couple of years, those are beaches to see. Warm sand, warm breezes, and best of all warm water. Aloha!
Posted by: Wendy | April 25, 2009 07:05 PM
I was born and raised in the bayarea, but now my husband and I live near Seattle Wa. It is not the same. I really miss Nor Cal. My family live in Eureka and visit them as often as I can. I'm trying to get my husband and I to move to Eureka,cause I love Eureka area. I think it's really nice. We went to centerville beach a while back and I love it except it's a little wierd how the beach drops off into the ocean right in front of you. Nor Cal is the best.
Posted by: kat | April 26, 2009 11:55 AM
No, Sandi. McKerricker is a gorgeous park with trails and views and a great beach.
Glass Beach has all the infamous rocks. I've only been there once.
Posted by: Jennifer McKenzie | April 26, 2009 03:14 PM
When I lived in McKinleyville, I always loved Moonstone Beach (Northern end of Clam Beach) and the beach at Trinidad Head below the light house on the open ocean side (Not the harbor side).
The beach at the base of Fern canyon and the beach on the north side of the Rogue River in Gold Beach Oregon are both nice too, but require more of a drive.
Posted by: Robert | April 29, 2009 03:01 PM
During the early 1970s I was stationed at the former naval facility just up the hill from the
Centerville Beach. I remember a few (darn few) very pleasant days on the beach. Seems like it was foggy and windy most of the time. Actually, one of my favorite passtimes was parking at the entrance to the beach during storms to watch mother nature at her best from the safety of my ol Mustang.
Posted by: Dan Richards | November 18, 2009 11:20 AM