Hey there, back with the first in our four-part series exploring the soul of Trinidad through the seasons. If you’ve ever wanted to experience spring the way locals do—raw, refreshing, and full of subtle magic—this one’s for you.
1. Mornings with the Whales
Late March through May is when the gray whales head north with their calves, it never gets old. Some mornings, We are sipping coffee at the Beachcomber Café patio and spot them before we even finished our first scone. The best land views are from the Trinidad Head Trail or up by the Memorial Lighthouse overlook—you’ll often see binoculars peeking out from hoodie hoods as folks scan the horizon.
If you’re up for getting closer (and a little salty), book a paddle tour with Kayak Trinidad. The water is often calm this time of year, and seeing a whale surface next to your kayak? It stays with you.
Local tip: Head out early. Fog tends to roll in by mid-morning. Bring binoculars, a thermos, and a windbreaker. Layers are your best friend on the coast.
2. Trail Time: Rhododendrons & Rain-Slick Ferns
Spring is when the forests exhale. Everything’s wet, alive, and covered in this soft green glow.
The Trillium Falls Trail is always my first real hike of the season. It’s just over 2.5 miles and perfect after a spring rain—the ferns glisten, the waterfalls are running, and you’re almost guaranteed to see elk prints in the mud. Rhododendrons bloom overhead in April, and trillium—those little three-petal white flowers—dot the ground like confetti.
A few other spring favorites from my own weekly wanders:
- Lady Bird Johnson Grove – It’s a little higher up, so the fog lingers longer, and when it burns off? Magic. You feel like you’re floating.
- Elk Head Trail – It’s a short one, easy in and out, but the cliffs at the end make you feel like you’re at the edge of the world.
- Little River Trail – Quiet, rarely busy, and a bit of a hidden gem. If it’s been wet, there are sometimes chanterelles still popping up in the forest.
Plant lovers—look for: blooming salmonberry flowers, new huckleberry leaves, and carpets of wood sorrel lighting up the forest floor like green glitter.
3. Festivals & Foggy Joy
Here’s the thing: spring around here isn’t big and flashy. It’s beautiful. And it’s perfect.
- Godwit Days in Arcata (mid-April) is for the bird nerds and nature nuts. Folks from all over show up with binoculars and spotting scopes to catch the shorebird migration. Even if you don’t know a godwit from a gull, the vibe is welcoming—and the bird fair at the Arcata Community Center is oddly charming.
- Forest Moon Festival (late May): Yep, our redwoods were Endor in Return of the Jedi. This one’s got trivia nights, scavenger hunts at filming locations, and the occasional Ewok sighting. Bring your sense of humor—and maybe a cape.
- Trinidad Art Nights (first Fridays starting in May): Picture jazz trios and kids chalking galaxies on the sidewalk. It’s casual, quaint and a great way to mingle.
- Don’t skip the Arcata Farmers Market either—it comes back in full swing each April, Saturdays 9–2. You’ll find fresh greens, baby radishes, handmade soaps, and those wood-fired flatbreads that somehow taste like spring itself.
4. Beach Walks & Sea Mist
We always say spring beach walks are less about sunbathing and more about soul-soaking.
Moonstone Beach is a local favorite—for good reason. Caves to crawl into, a freshwater creek to splash in, and driftwood logs that look like sculptures. You’ll see painters out early, especially if the light is good. We like to go just after sunrise or late afternoon—times when the fog curls in soft and low.
For more solitude, try Baker Beach or even Luffenholtz. They’re tucked away and often empty except for a few dogs, or someone quietly collecting agates.
Don’t rush. Let the wind comb your hair a bit. Let the sound of the waves reset your nervous system.
5. Small Shops, Quiet Stops & Good Snacks
Spring means everything’s just starting to bloom—including local food. Murphy’s Market stocks local produce. They’ll also sometimes have smoked salmon from local fishers—pair that with a loaf of sourdough and you’ve got a perfect picnic.
Swing by the Trinidad Museum if you want to duck out of the rain. It’s small, and full of local stories—plus a native plant garden that starts coming to life this time of year.
Oh, and if you’re the kind of person who likes road stands? Keep an eye out in Trinidad and surrounding areas. Sometimes folks leave out jars of homemade jam or flower bundles with a handwritten sign and a cash box. It’s that kind of place.
6. For the Solo Travelers
If you’re coming alone—welcome. Spring is the time for solo wandering. The trails are quieter, the beaches feel like your own personal meditation studio, and nobody rushes you. Locals are friendly, but they won’t crowd you. It’s a season for noticing—mushrooms poking up through moss, whale spouts in the distance, or how the redwoods smell after a soft rain.
7. A Note on the Vibe
Spring here doesn’t shout—it hums. It’s the slow return of color and light. It’s mist and bloom and the kind of quiet that fills you up. If you’re someone who notices the smell of salt and soil mixing in the air, who loves the feeling of being the only person on a trail… you’ll get it. You’ll love it.
Stay tuned for the next post in this series: Summer in the Slow Lane: Festivals, Beach Fires, and Blackberry Pie.
See you soon,
Lisa & Taylor
Camp Trinidad
