Trinidad and Sue-meg

We checked into our cozy motor inn in Trinidad and walked around the tiny seaside town (population ~350), admiring the neat houses and the spectacular views of Trinidad Bay. Dinner at a popular local diner was excellent: fresh-caught halibut and a huge slab of Marion berry cobbler.

Trinidad Bay, with Trinidad Head and Trinidad Pier at right

Trinidad Bay

Little Head

The next day was foggy. We learned that Trinidad has fog on 200 days of the year, and realized we had been lucky the previous evening! It would be interesting to explore the coast in the fog.

We drove a few miles north to Sue-meg (soo-may) State Park. It was formerly called Patrick’s Point State Park, but was renamed a few years ago. Sue-meg is the original place name used by the native Yurok people. We explored a reconstructed Yurok Village that was still used by the local tribe for ceremonies. I had a nice chat with Chunny, a friendly Yurok kid who was happy to tell me about their traditions, like Brush Dances, performed to heal sick children. Chunny was helping to make a redwood dugout canoe, a formerly years-long process that can now be completed in a few months, thanks to modern tools.

Family House

The circular door is too small for grizzly bears

Family House interior

Women and children slept in the lower level, where there was always a fire burning. Food and belongings were stored on the upper ledge.

Dance House

Men's Sweat House

Men and boys slept here during stormy weather (otherwise they slept outside). An old canoe was used as a ridgetop for the roof.

Ohl'wo'yoch (redwood dugout canoe)

Canoes are considered to be living beings. Inside are knobs representing the heart and kidneys.

Canoe building in progress!

We did a short hike out on Wedding Rock, one of several promontories in the park. There were dramatic views of the rocky beach, with tall trees on high cliffs. But the thick fog prevented us from seeing anything beyond the beaches and sea stacks. The ocean was almost the same color as the fog.

We decided the fog was a sign we should spend a quiet afternoon at our inn in Trinidad. That evening, we returned to the diner for more fresh catch and cobbler.

Our patience was rewarded the next day, which was sunny and clear! After breakfast, we hiked the trail on Trinidad Head. The spur to the lighthouse was closed, but the loop trail offered many gorgeous vistas of Trinidad Bay and the Pacific Ocean. At the summit was a stone cross erected by Spanish explorers, claiming the land for King Charles III of Spain. Trinidad Head is still a sacred area for the Yurok people.

Trinidad Head, viewed from town

Parking lot at the trailhead

Trinidad State Beach

View of Trinidad from Trinidad Head

Trinidad Bay

It was lovely to end our vacation with a scenic hike on a sunny day, in one of the smallest and prettiest cities we’ve ever visited.

Fun Facts

• Trinidad is an incorporated city, one of the smallest in California.

• The entire coastline of California is a National Monument, and Trinidad is one of the gateway cities.

• The leaves of Coast redwood trees absorb water from the fog.