Black sand beaches are some of the most unique in the world, as well as some of the rarest. This list will show you five things to do at black sand beach California, and tell you how you can see and experience one yourself, whether it’s on your next trip to the state or right in your own backyard. And if you don’t live near one, don’t worry! You can see images and videos that will give you an idea of what it’s like to be there in person, no matter where you are.

Explore tide pools

If you visit any black sand beach California, be sure to seek out some tide pools. These miniature ecosystems are teeming with sea life and usually have a plethora of crabs and other small creatures poking around in them. Plus, they’re really beautiful! Keep an eye out for some sea stars—they often live among tide pools. This is a great activity if you like learning about marine biology and nature in general. If you don’t want to get wet, it’s still pretty easy to look down on them from above while standing on rocks or stairs.

Go hiking and rock scrambling on the cliffs around Humboldt County

The biggest danger at a black sand beach California is actually from wildlife, not from humans. While turtles, fish and birds are cool to watch, they’re also very easy to scare off. The best thing you can do is stay a respectful distance away—no closer than 50 feet—and keep your voices low. Not only will these precautions help ensure that you have an amazing time and get great photos without any wild animals running away scared, but they’ll also protect local animals by keeping them safe from people who don’t respect their boundaries.

Watch out for wildlife

This may seem like a fairly obvious warning, but it’s important. Keep your eye out for critters when you’re in or near natural areas because they have no qualms about wandering into urban and suburban settings. If you see any wildlife, keep your distance (obviously) and give them their space; even small animals can deliver some nasty bites. But whatever you do, don’t feed them! Here are some things you can watch out for if you want to avoid having a run-in with wildlife: deer, coyotes, mountain lions, black bears, raccoons and skunks.

Take Pictures

One of our most favorite things to do at black sand beach is take pictures. The contrast between dark sand and crystal clear blue water is just stunning. You’ll want to pack your camera for sure, so you can capture every memory from our days in Cambria. After all, it’s difficult not to snap a picture of a rock tower that looks like something out of a fairytale, isn’t it? In addition to getting some great photos, we also recommend taking note of some of your favorite spots so you can visit them again later on!

Watch out for strong currents during high tide

You’ll likely want to spend as much time as possible on South Monterrey Bay. The water temperature is typically in between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so depending on what season you visit, you may want a wetsuit or a bikini. The beach isn’t well suited for swimmers because of its craggy shoreline and strong currents during high tide, but it’s great for surfers who don’t mind braving waves. Of course, there are other things you can do at Black Sand Beach that have nothing to do with swimming—like exploring tide pools or collecting unique shells and stones.

Go fishing

If you’re looking for a way to unwind, there’s nothing like fishing. Not only will it keep you entertained for hours on end, but you can reel in some fresh seafood as well. Go with friends, or take a date out on your boat—it doesn’t matter who tags along; just get out there and enjoy one of our nation’s oldest pastimes. You might not catch anything, but if you put enough time into it, eventually that’ll be impossible! And when you head back to shore with your fishing rods over your shoulders, having caught absolutely nothing all day long…what more can you ask for?

Eat lunch on a secluded beach cove

Black’s Beach has a much more interesting history than its name suggests. The sandy shoreline is flanked by cypress trees and boulder fields and provides fantastic views of La Jolla as well as great trails for both horseback riding and hiking. It’s even rumored that former actor Jack Nicholson once owned a home overlooking Black’s Beach. To get there, take Torrey Pines Rd until it dead ends, park your car in one of three parking lots and hike about 20 minutes south along a rugged trail down to a crescent-shaped beach cove with black sand instead of white.

Visit Crescent City, California

Crescent City, CA has all sorts of fun things to do. The scenic coastline is known for its shipwrecks and black sand beaches where you can dig for hidden treasure. The interesting thing about Crescent City is it serves as a major stopping point between San Francisco and Los Angeles, making it a popular spot for tourists. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Crescent City there are plenty of local attractions that won’t break your bank account and offer beautiful scenery (and perhaps an exciting adventure or two). Here are some of our favorite spots around town