Westport-Union Landing State Beach, Westport CA

Category & Type :

Recreation

Location :

Highway 101 , Westport CA

Phone :

707-937-5804

Website :

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=440

Information about Westport-Union Landing State Beach...

Westport Union-Landing State Beach covers over 3 miles of rugged and scenic coastline, with 86 campsites available in three campgrounds on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The magnificent vistas, sunsets and tree-covered mountains in the background provide an inspiring backdrop to the park and challenges to both amateur and professional photographers.

The park was named for two early day communities. Westport, a sawmill town, is still in existence and Union Landing now consists of only a few buildings. Both of these settlements were famous for supplying lumber and railroad ties, and Tan Oak bark to the schooners which anchored offshore. The schooners were loaded with forest products by means of intricate cable tramways and chutes from the bluffs.

Location/Directions

Located 19 miles north of Fort Bragg on Highway 1 and 2 miles north of Westport.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing

The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.

Facilities - Activities

Fishing

Several small sandy beaches and one large beach located at the mouth of Howard Creek provide some good sport for fishermen; the Surf Smelt (Hyomesus pretiosus) come in near shore to spawn in the surf during the day. Night Smelt (Spirinchus Starksi) come in to spawn at night. These smelt, 6 to 10 inches in length, are called surf fish and night fish by the sportsmen who take them in nets as they approach the beach to spawn. Several kinds of rock fish and abalone are taken when tides and ocean conditions are right. Water temperatures of around 52 degrees and a surging bellowing surf discourages all but the hardy individual.