Virtual Guidebook to the Northern California Coast and Coast Ranges
Lost Coast Headlands
west of Ferndale, Humboldt County California

Originally California's Highway One was supposed to closely follow the coast along its entire length. But the daunting topography and active slides of southern Humboldt County, added to the lack of potential traffic, caused the plan to be modified. The "coast highway" turns inland at Rockport and ends at Redway on Highway 101. North of Eureka (and all the way through Oregon and Washington) 101 becomes the coast highway.

This BLM-managed coastal access south of Ferndale gives a graphic example of slide damage where the road has dropped 400 feet down the bluffs, and a coast guard station looks like it will be next. Even the trail down to wild Guthrie Creek Beach keeps slipping away.