Sparkle Bodysuits & Crab Pots in Trinidad, California

Trinidad Bay

Stunned. Thats how I felt when I saw the view from our rental house perched on Trinidad Bay. The bay has character, in the jagged rocks jutting out of the ocean and the wisps of fog that lurk between them. The land appears mythical beyond what I expected of California. I'm a native, yet find myself continually awed by California's astounding beauty. The Bay Area, where I was born and raised, is truly lovely but Humboldt's dramatic vistas are on another level, great for providing a sense of perspective to a harried modern day mind. 

I was in Trinidad on a family vacation to visit my little sister Natalie who was completing a rotation for medical school with a doctor in the tiny town of McKinleyville in Humboldt county. Our first stop was Six Rivers Brewery, next door to Natalie's doctor's office, where we tasted a flight of every beer they had on tap, from strawberry wheat, to chili pepper ale to Kona coffee porter. The chili pepper ale turned my mom off by burning her lips, but I loved it, the perfect balance of green chile and a quality ale.

Next we checked in to our vacation rental, a natural wood house overlooking Trinidad Bay called the crows nest, found on VRBO. A wall of windows showcased the spectacular view. Moored boats bobbed in the bay next to the Trinidad Head, a mountain of a peninsula that looks like an island at the tip of Trinidad Bay. A hiking trail wraps around the head, revealing views that will knock your socks off. The head trail features views of the majestic Pacific Ocean, sweepingTrinidad State Beach, and Trinidad bay and the little town. A lighthouse perches on the far west side. 

Tiny Trinidad hosted their Art Walk the night we arrived. Two little boys stood outside the town hall playing fiddle in front of a popcorn machine on the stoop leading to a song circle of older people singing songs together. In the back of the town hall, was an art and music show with live bands on a dark wood picture box stage with red velvet curtains, art on the walls, and hors d'oeuvres. A glittery painting of a dancing banana caught our attention. Across the street, a rock band of 10 year olds played in front of the school. Trinidad exists as if in another slower era. We snacked on homemade flax crackers and healing cordials at Trinidad Massage and Day Spa where they invited us back for a walk-in acupuncture clinic that weekend. The highlight of the art walk was a free savory waffle cone infused with thyme and rosemary with mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, and veggie gravy from Humboldt Homemade Meals. I was skeptical of the double carbs, but everything was just delicious! The couple that runs it sets up at the Arcata Flea Market each week, where you can try the freak dish for yourself. I highly recommend it.

 Native Plant Garden at the Trinidad Museum

During the art walk a drum circle set up outside Trinidad Museum, attracting a woman in a light nude sparkly bodysuit straight out of Vegas (many shades lighter than her own skin), topped with a red g-string and bikini top to dance. Tiki torches surrounded the scene, which was immensely entertaining but hard to watch. These people were serious.

Trinidad and Trinidad State Beach

Crab pots at Trinidad Pier

Aside from the local talent, beautiful hikes abound in Trinidad and the town itself is completely walkable. Poking down by the fishing pier I found stacks of crab pots (for crabbing, see photo below) and trucks driving onto a small cove beach to launch kayaks and boats.

Trinidad State Beach

Sleepy Trinidad has a stunning location, old fashioned fishing town charm, and a dose of 1960s-era counterculture. Its a great place to remove yourself from everyday urban reality, as long as you don't mind a little tie dye.

Trinidad Head Memorial Lighthouse

This tourist map of Humboldt county shows the lay of the land for your explorations of the area. In four days we barely scratched the surface, whetting my appetite for more. 

                           
View Larger Map