Remembering California: Discovering the Jewel that is California’s Lost Coast

While out west, we stumbled upon a stretch of road called the King Range National Conservation Area also known as ‘The Lost Coast’. Before leaving for California, I had never even heard of it. I discovered the Lost Coast, reading a small local paper during our trip.

The Lost Coast.

That name conjured up all sorts of romantic visions of what it would be like there. My mind immediately went to Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr kissing in the surf in the movie From Here to Eternity. I imagined myself as her but on the Lost Coast. The warm rays of the golden setting sun glistening on the sand. The sound of the ocean waves. Romantic, indeed.

Alas, it is more of a hiker’s paradise apparently. Instead of a sexy romp in the sand, it is probably more often a day filled with blisters, backpacks and trail mix. Maybe your sexytime uses those props, so your mileage on this fantasy may vary.

Coming south from Eureka, the 3 of us wheeled into the Victorian village of Ferndale. Ferndale is the perfect town for strolling. We walked the streets, looking in windows and trying to soak up all of Ferndale’s charms.

Following route 211 west through Ferndale brought us to Mattole Road. As I made the left onto the road I had the distinct feeling of wondering if I was going the right way. The climb up the roadway became very steep at points and the road condition wasn’t anything to write home about. There was not another soul on the road. Still, we pressed on. Looking back now, I am so glad that we did. It was one of the most memorable views of my life.

As we crested over a hill, it felt like it took a moment or two for my brain to catch up with my eyes. I realized that I was looking at the horizon. The ocean touched the sky as the Earth gently curved.

No people. No Cars. It was just us, the water and the waves. Riding along next to the ocean for miles was in short, heavenly.

• GORP – The Lost Coast
• National Geographic – The Lost Coast