The sandy spit between the Pacific Ocean and the Mad River estuary offers an easy and accessible coastal walk with excellent wildlife-viewing possibilities. The location of the river mouth is in constant flux, so the walking distance varies over time. The described route goes north through vegetation behind the dunes and along the river estuary to the mouth, then back on the ocean beach, two totally different experiences only a hundred yards apart.
Mad River County Park: 707-445-7651 (Humboldt County Parks)
McKinleyville Land Trust: info@mlandtrust.org, 707-839-5263
After a foray to the north, the river mouth is presently opposite the north end of Letz Avenue, only very slightly north of where it was when I mapped this hike three years ago.