Moonstone Beach

Moonstone sits at the mouth of the Little River, three miles south of Trinidad, and it's the beach locals send visitors to when they want somewhere with character rather than just sand. Rocky coves, headlands, sea caves, boulders to scramble on, and a river running out across the beach so kids can splash in fresh water while the surf does its thing further out.

It's actually two jurisdictions on one continuous strand. Moonstone Beach County Park is the northern end at the river mouth; Little River State Beach — 152 acres of dune and open sand, established in 1931 — runs south from there toward Clam Beach. Together with Clam Beach it forms about five miles of walkable beach.

The dog rule follows that split, and it matters. On the county side dogs may run off leash on the wave slope under voice command. State Parks prohibits dogs on the beach and in the dunes at Little River State Beach. Same sand, different rules, no sign at the boundary.

One quiet thing worth knowing: the beach parcel at Moonstone is privately owned by the Merryman family, and public access exists because the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust holds an easement over it. The parking and the path you use are there by agreement, not by right. Treat it accordingly.

Facilities are minimal — a small gravel lot and a portable toilet. Moonstone Grill sits on the bluff above.

Surfers use it, though no agency describes the break or rates it for skill level. The water is cold enough to disable your limbs within minutes, and sneaker waves here are the real danger, not the surf.