Backpacking California’s Wildest Coast

Through word of mouth, we learned of this place in California called the Lost Coast, which is supposed to be 25 miles of untamed coastline, the last in California where you can backpack along the ocean. Naturally then, Ryan and I had to go see this place for ourselves.

Wild certainly does a good job of describing it. The mountainous coast was covered in windswept pines and heavy fog created a creepy, sinister ambiance about the place. We hiked along the beach, with the waves crashing thunderously to our left. I will say, playing tag with the waves is far more difficult with a pack on your back. Along the way, we noticed we had a friend following along – a little seal playing in the waves and watching us curiously as we trudged through the sand. He’d dive below the surface and disappear almost as soon as I got my camera out, but I did manage to get one sort of blurry shot of him.

We didn’t hike too far, but found a remote patch above the surf to set up camp and cook dinner. Ryan surprised me by hiking in a bottle of wine, which was a nice treat as we watched the now group of seals playing in the waves. Ryan also may have made a game of trying to hit seagulls with rocks, though the seagulls totally won (thanks to the wine I’m sure).

We were hoping for an epic sunset, but the thick bank of clouds over the ocean meant that it just became dark suddenly. Bummer.

The next day our seal friends were nowhere to be found, but some backpacker surfers strolled by our camp looking for waves while we ate breakfast. People who surf have my utmost respect from the get-go, but to hike your board into a remote place is even more intense. And the surf along the Lost Coast was intimidating enough Ryan and I had no desire to even stick a toe in. The gulls and

sandpipers kept us company along the beach as we walked back to the car while the sun forced its way through the clouds at intervals, illuminating the rugged coastline. Bears frequent the hills, as do rattlesnakes, so we kept to the beach and admired from afar.

I would say that if you’re looking for seclusion on California beach fronts, the Lost Coast is the place to go. Ryan and I thoroughly enjoyed the wild, desolate feel of the place before our next stop, busy, buzzing San Francisco!