Vacation/fishing place North coast

Gents,

I never been north of Sea Ranch on the coast, was thinking going somewhere for a week, around July 4th (dates are flexible) . I know there are quite a few people from that area, any recommendations?

Who:
- wife, 2 kids, dog-who-swims-a-lot and kayak.

What:
- 2-3 bd house (camping is an option too)
- reasonable distance from SF. Eureka is OK
- swimmable!!
- fishing (salt or fresh, if salt it has to be reasonably calm)
- (easy) hiking, parks, cool stuff.
- younger boy is 3 y.o., so we can't do heavy hiking yet.

What not:
- not terribly hot
- not crowded

Any ideas?

Thanks!

P.S. Does not have to be coast after all

Shelter Cove!

www.VRBO.com for rental homes.

Inns/Motels
https://innofthelostcoast.com/
http://www.sheltercovetidesinn.com/
http://www.mariosofsheltercove.com/
http://www.sheltercoveoceanfrontinn.com/

For camping
http://sheltercoverv.com/
this is where most NCKA member stay during the GS events.

It's normally pretty slow there but I here that the 4th and GS events is when the crowds come 

I'm sure you will love it though.

Antonio

If you are going around July 4th and don't want o b in the HEAT, stick to he coast. Shelter Cove is great, for many reasons, one big reason for a family is the "Avenue of the Giants." Then from Albion to Mendocino to Fort Bragg has many places to stay and lots to do/see for the family; Skunk Train, in-door water park, and I'm sure there will be some kind of outdoor function going on.

What Bill said!

4th of July time is pretty busy on the Mendo coast, tho.

3rd of July is fireworks at Point Arena.
4th is fireworks and the Worlds Largest Salmon Barbeque in Fort Bragg.

4th is fireworks and the Worlds Largest Salmon Barbeque in Fort Bragg.

We go every year even though we get our own salmon and have the awesome marinade recipe.  But it is usually crowded unless you go right as it opens. 

The fireworks in Ft Bragg are usually on the closest Saturday to 4th of July but this year 4 of July is on a Saturday so not sure if they are doing it that day or not.  They are obviously a smaller city compared to some of the big production fireworks shows so I think they get discounts for not doing them on the 4th.  They have also cancelled or delayed them because of fog in the past. 

Most get away destinations will be crowded that week.  The vacation rentals by owners I have heard a lot of good things about but not sure if they jack the prices up around holidays like the hotels do. 

Shelter Cove has everything you are looking for.

The one caution is that the cove is a throwback and relatively lawless. That means that the Fourth of July will feature Roman candles, bottle rockets, bricks of black cats, and all the really good fireworks that have long been outlawed in California. I only mention this because you have a small child and a dog, so plan accordingly.

Thanks, all, this helps a lot!

I have not been to Shelter Cove, anything special I need to know about kayaking/fishing there (safety, right places )? What are other places to fish there?

Also, interested in kid-friendly (10 y.o., who swims) fishing - maybe some closed bay? Is there a fish in Eureka's bays? Or I'd need to go out.

Thanks again!

PM LoletaEric or Matanaska for all you need to know about SC fishing.
They are both guides there.

The cove is probably your best bet for calm waters.

4th is fireworks and the Worlds Largest Salmon Barbeque in Fort Bragg.

<snipped>
The fireworks in Ft Bragg are usually on the closest Saturday to 4th of July but this year 4 of July is on a Saturday so not sure if they are doing it that day or not. 

I am working on the Fort Bragg show, it is on the 4th according to the display company.

The Point Arena show is shot off of the pier, which is kind of a novel experience for spectators, and allows a little more up-close viewing.

Access in and out of the cove area at PA is difficult unless you get in early and leave late. The same goes for the best viewing areas in FB

You are describing Bodega bay, Doran beach... Kids can swim safely. North coast and kids swimming = Undertow and bad things... We love Doran and have been going there 30 years with no incidents. Just an awesome place. http://www.bodegabayescapes.com/ You might not get the largest fish but there are fish. There is a spot at low tide where you and the little ones can chase crabs, small wiggly eels and kelp rock fish for dinner. If you choose this location I can go into specifics.

Thanks! We love Bodega, and I'll definitely be looking for more information on Doran beach. I will ask for specifics if we go there, thank you!

Where do I launch/fish? I was also afraid about it being too crowded (since it's kind of close and popular) - no?

We had our eye on the Eureka, is it unsafe for kids to swim there?

Most of the beaches up from Doran have warnings for sleeper and other wave generated hazards... Doran can be crouded at times. Most of the folks that camp/stay at beach are Chill and play right along with you. Lots of Roving bands of small children kicking up sand

Nice, thanks! Dogs on leash only, I'll do some more search.

Thanks for mentioning hazard warnings!

Family has a rental in fort bragg area. Very nice.... 503-405-4883 Ask about the Grey whale house. fits 12 people with beds and pull outs for all... Yard and paths down to creek/coast... Have a fun vacation!

We had our eye on the Eureka, is it unsafe for kids to swim there?

The bay is pretty unattractive for swimming.  Cold water and it is not usually warm air temps on the bay.  Just out of town is freshwater park with a pool that is damned up on the creek every summer.  A lot of people go inland to spots on the mad, eel, van duzen and trinity rivers.  Theres tons of swimming holes on our rivers but you have to travel from eureka a bit to get to them.