Mike Thompson Wildlife Area / South Spit

Mike Thompson Wildlife Area / South Spit is a public beach on the California coast, about 1.5 miles from the town of King Salmon, within the Humboldt-Del Norte Unit. There is no fee to visit, and dogs are allowed. The beach has restrooms and accessible access, which makes it a straightforward stop for a range of visitors. Weather here stays mild all year. Typical averages from a nearby weather station on Woodley Island in Eureka show highs of about 55°F from December through February and lows around 40 to 41°F, with rain falling on 15 to 17 days a month in that stretch. Conditions warm and dry gradually through spring, and the summer months are the driest. July and August average highs of 63 to 64°F with lows in the low 50s and only about three wet days each month. September holds onto those highs near 64°F with few wet days, so late summer into early fall is the most reliable window for a dry beach day. Snow isn't part of the picture in any month. Even at the warmest, highs stay in the low to mid 60s, so it pays to bring layers whatever the season. Several trails sit within a short drive. The Hikshari' Trail is about 3.5 miles away, the Shorebird Loop Trail about 3.9 miles, and the Hookton Slough Trail about 4.1 miles. Paddlers can head to the Elk River, roughly 4 miles off.