The Lost Coast is a mostly natural and development-free area of the Northern California coast in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. It was named the "Lost Coast" after the area experienced depopulation in the 1930s. The steepness and related geo-technical challenges of the coastal mountains made this stretch of coastline too costly for state highway or county road builders to establish routes through the area, leaving it the most undeveloped and remote portion of the California coast. Without any major highways, communities in the Lost Coast region such as Petrolia, Shelter Cove, and Whitethorn remain secluded from the rest of California. (Wikipedia)

Giant redwood trees thrive along the Lost Coast, from northern California to southwestern Oregon. Once logged almost to extinction, the ancient groves are the last of these magnificent living things. They can easily reach 300 feet tall and over 1000 years old. Their thick, spongy bark resists fire and insect damage and they have no known killing diseases.

Towns along the Lost Coast are relatively few but there are some wonderful spots that are well worth a side trip. Trinidad is a charming example - light houses, rugged coastal views, a world apart from SoCal.