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Virtual Guidebook to the Northern California Coast and Coast Ranges
North Spit
Humboldt Bay California
The long sandspit protecting the north end of Humboldt Bay is also known as the Samoa Spit. It is known for its pulp mill and biomass powerplant, both with deepwater port facilities, the large Coast Guard base, and ten mile long Samoa Beach.
Winter surf here rises in thirty foot deep water far from shore, a potentially deadly challenge for surfers. The navigation channel into Humboldt Bay is fortified with breakwaters composed of huge stones and concrete tetrapods or dolos, like giant jacks.
 | Grasslands and low bushes between bands of shore pine un the Manila Dunes (July 17, 2011) | |
 | Native buckwheat in the restored dunes near Manila (July 17, 2011) | |
 | Invasive European dune grass covering the first rank of dunes (July 17, 2011) | |
 | The one remaining pulp mill, south of Samoa on North Spit (January 19, 2008) | |
 | Electric generating station on North Spit, Humboldt Bay (January 19, 2008) | |
 | The heavy stone breakwater on North Spit at the entrance to Humboldt Bay (January 19, 2008) | |