Storm Watching, Whale Spouts & Fireside Moments

Let’s talk about winter here on the north coast, the quiet season that doesn’t get enough love. Around here, summer gets all the attention, but winter? Winter is for the dreamers. The storm watchers. The people who know that solitude is its own kind of luxury.

If you’ve never spent time in Trinidad between December and February, you’re in for a kind of magic you can’t bottle. This is when the redwoods drip with moss, the waves get wild, and the town slows down to something deep and meaningful.

1. Storm Watching & Coastal Solitude

Winter storms here are theater. Giant Pacific swells slam into the cliffs, sending sea spray stories high. The air smells like salt and seaweed, and you can feel the wind in your teeth.

Top storm-watching spots:

  • Trinidad State Beach Overlook – Watch waves explode into the sea stacks.
  • Houda Point – Drive right up and park. Gulls hang in the wind like kites.
  • Moonstone Beach – You can watch from your car or bundle up for a misty walk—but don’t get too close to the water during a high tide or active storm.

Bring: Rain gear, a hot drink, and your sense of awe.

2. Whale Watching Season

From December through April, the gray whales migrate south—mamas and calves heading to Baja. On clear days, you can spot spouts from almost anywhere along the coast, but we like:

  • Trinidad Head Trail – A good walk and solid vantage point.
  • Memorial Lighthouse – Just pull over and scan the horizon.
  • Scenic Drive pullouts – Great for quick sightings in your coziest clothes.

Pro tip: Mornings are usually clearer. Bring binoculars and a patient heart.

3. Rainy Day Hikes (Yes, Really)

Redwoods in the rain are like something out of a Studio Ghibli film. The canopy softens the downpour, the ferns glow neon, and the mist makes everything feel otherworldly.

  • Karl Knapp Loop (Prairie Creek Redwoods) – 3 miles through old growth and dripping ferns. Green on green on green.
  • Big Tree Loop – Short but mighty. A great leg-stretch and mushroom-spotting trail.
  • Strawberry Rock Trail – Slippery in winter but the fog at the summit? Worth every muddy step.

Local tip: Redwoods catch the rain, so you often stay surprisingly dry. Just wear boots and embrace the mess.

4. Fireside Moments & Cozy Cabins

This is when we slow all the way down. When we make soup from scratch and read entire books in one sitting. Most of our cabins at Camp Trinidad come with heat and soft blankets—but you can always BYO fleece and favorite mug.

Rainy day rituals include:

  • Hot cocoa or cider from Wildberries in Arcata
  • A stop at Beachcomber Café for hazelnut hot chocolate and a bulletin board full of local happenings
  • Picking up local groceries  from Murphy’s Market for a fireside feast

You can also still do beach fires at Old Home Beach—just check for fire bans, and only use clean, uncarved wood. Watching the tide come in next to a crackling fire? Pretty much peak winter.

5. Local Life in the Slow Season

Winter is when you meet the real town. No lines. No rush. Locals linger over their coffees, chat with strangers on a stroll through town, and bring soup to each other’s doorsteps.

  • Trinidad Library often hosts Scrabble nights and author talks.
  • Dell’Arte’s Humbug! Show in Blue Lake is a hilarious, satirical cabaret that roasts the year.
  • Town Hall pop-ups sometimes feature local musicians, hot drinks, and spontaneous jam sessions. It’s casual—come as you are.

And if you’re an artist or introvert? This is your season. You can paint for hours in silence. Write. Think. Breathe.

6. The Feel of the Season

Winter here isn’t gray and dreary. It’s vivid and wild. It’s waves you can hear from town. It’s neon moss on redwood bark and sudden sunlight after rain. It’s the quietest, deepest version of this place.

If you’re someone who values solitude, beauty, and a slower kind of adventure—this season was made for you.

Thanks for sticking with me through the year. Let’s do it again soon.

Stay wild and warm,

Lisa & Taylor
Camp Trinidad