Little River State Beach (Clam Beach)
- Freeride, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Little River State Beach, commonly known as Clam Beach, is a rugged, wide sandy shoreline with beach-break surf that can be exposed and occasionally quirky due to shifting sandbars. Surf is generally best at high tide, and the spot can offer both left- and right-hand waves on a sandy bottom. Conditions are described as inconsistent, with no strong seasonal pattern for surfing quality, though winter setups are often emphasized for the best chance of more consistent, clean surf. Wind conditions can support multiple disciplines, especially during spring and summer when north-westerly gradient flow and afternoon sea breezes become more consistent. For wind sports, the typical wind range is described around 15 to 25 knots, and gustiness is generally moderate. East winds are specifically noted as shaping the surf, while NW winds can create heavier chop, so selecting the right wind direction is important for wave quality and riding comfort. Safety planning is critical at this beach. Hazards include sharks, rocks, and urchins, and the river mouth can produce dangerous currents during high runoff or changing tidal conditions. Rip currents are also noted as common, especially near the Little River mouth where tidal outflow can be significant. Driftwood, logs, and occasional submerged rocks can accumulate in the surf zone, so checking the waterline before entering and being cautious during outgoing tides are repeated priorities. The area is generally described as uncrowded/low-profile for surf and wind sports, aided by the large beach area. Facilities are limited on the beach itself beyond toilets and parking, while camping is available through the adjacent Clam Beach County Park; services for rentals and supplies are more likely in nearby towns.
- High-tide focused beach-break surf with left and right handers
- Large sandy beach suitable for launching and setup
- Afternoon sea-breeze pattern in spring and summer supporting wind sports
- Cold-water environment with year-round wetsuit needs
- Wide, sandy beach with space for launching and practicing beach-break approaches
- High tide setup is consistently favored for surfing
- North-westerly wind season can provide reliable wind conditions for wind sports
- Surf and cleanliness can be inconsistent due to shifting sandbars and exposed conditions
- Cold water year-round and potential shore-break/rough conditions
- River-mouth currents and rip currents can be dangerous
- Marine life presence (including sharks) and debris/logs can add risk
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, N, NNE, NE, ENE, NW, WNW
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Prevailing north-westerly gradient winds with strong afternoon sea-breezes in spring and summer; easterly winds can work for surfing with more shape.
- Reliability
- Reliable in spring/summer; inconsistent at times depending on conditions.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with dunes; broad open beach bordered by the Little River to the north and additional coastline to the south.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium depending on swell/sandbar configuration.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — NW winds can create heavy chop; conditions vary with wind direction.
- Launch
- Big — Broad, open sandy beach with dunes; ample space for rigging and launching at low to mid tides.
Through the year
Uncrowded year-round; Clam Beach can be popular with locals on sunny weekends.
November through March typically sees heavy rainfall and powerful winter storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Popular local spot in the NW wind season; wide beach for launching, but cold water and potential heavy shore break make it more suitable for experienced riders.
- Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Good conditions for wave sailing and freeriding; long fetches and side-onshore NW winds provide consistent power.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
More suitable at higher tides to clear shallow sandbars; initial launch can be challenging due to shore break and strong currents.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly, with minimum depth considerations.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Versatile beach break with sandbars that can be quirky, with left and right handlers over sandy bottom. Surf can be inconsistent; beach-break peaks shift as sandbars change with river outflow and winter storms.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Consistently noted as best at high tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reasonably exposed beach break, but can still work semi-sheltered depending on swell/wind setup.
- Wind Effect
- East winds are described as giving shape; NW winds can create heavy chop. Wind direction can strongly affect cleanliness.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized with large winter swells, often closing out; also described as handling small sizes down to about 1 ft with good range around waist-high to head-high.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also described as average due to shifting sandbars and inconsistent conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Also described as mixed as sandbars shift.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can break for up to 50 meters; generally short to medium depending on sandbar configuration.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Breaks for up to 50 meters; waves are generally short to medium depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Little River State Beach (Clam Beach) in the full forecast view.
Little River State Beach (Clam Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- NNW336°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 288 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.3 m9s period
- Temperature
- 6–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Little River State Beach (Clam Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.9–2.3 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Sharks
- Rocks
- Urchins
- Rip currents
- Cold water
- Driftwood
- Submerged rocks
- River currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional coverage; Coast Guard search and rescue operates via the regional service network.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Arcata (about 15 minutes away). Emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Follow standard right-of-way rules; be mindful of shore fishermen and beachgoers harvesting clams.
- Works best at high tide for surfing; east winds can help shape the waves.
- Be extremely cautious of the river-mouth current during outgoing tides.
- Check for large logs in the surf line before heading out.
- Always ride with a partner due to remote conditions and shark risk.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Eureka
- Nearest Town
- Westhaven-Moonstone
- Parking
- Parking available at the beach; large parking lots at Clam Beach County Park and the northern Little River access point. Free camping is available at the adjacent Clam Beach County Park.
- Access
- Located just off Highway 101, 13 miles north of Eureka and 5 miles south of Trinidad. Part of Little River State Beach and adjacent to Clam Beach County Park.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available at the adjacent Clam Beach County Park; hotels are available in nearby towns including McKinleyville and Trinidad.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on the beach; services are available in nearby towns.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rentals are available via nearby shops in the wider area, not on the beach itself.
- Gear Storage
- On-site gear storage is generally unavailable; most riders store equipment in their vehicles or local accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services are available through shops in nearby towns.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
World-famous park system home to the tallest trees on Earth.
Local history museum documenting the heritage of the Tsurai people and maritime history.
Ocean kayaking around the scenic sea stacks and Trinidad Head.
Popular local craft brewery and eatery overlooking the Mad River Valley.
Birdwatching and walking trails along the edge of Humboldt Bay.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Little River State Beach (Clam Beach)?
The best overall months at Little River State Beach (Clam Beach) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Little River State Beach (Clam Beach)?
Little River State Beach (Clam Beach) works with E, N, NNE, NE, ENE, NW, WNW winds. Offshore directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Little River State Beach (Clam Beach)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Little River State Beach (Clam Beach): Kitesurfing: 8–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5.5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Little River State Beach (Clam Beach) suitable for?
Little River State Beach (Clam Beach) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.