Ruby Beach

This is less a hike and more a short scramble down to one of the most photographed beaches on the Pacific coast. From the parking pulloff on Highway 101, a brief dirt path drops through a corridor of Sitka spruce before spilling you onto a wide, driftwood-strewn beach. The real show is offshore — towering sea stacks rise from the surf like ancient sentinels, draped in green and battered by waves. At low tide, tide pools appear among the rocks, teeming with starfish and anemones. The footing is uneven once you hit the beach — expect to clamber over massive bleached logs and navigate cobblestones slick with spray. The descent is gentle but not paved, so wheelchairs and strollers won't make it. This is the spot for anyone who wants a world-class coastline without earning it through miles of trail.