Drive to coastal bluffs with panoramic views

Try the 9-mile-long, mostly unpaved Coastal Drive Loop just south of the Klamath River Bridge on national park land. To get there, exit Highway 101 on West Klamath Beach Road. Turn left on Alder Camp Road, which later veers north and merges with Coastal Drive, which is now a one-way. Coastal Drive eventually merges back into West Klamath Beach Road to complete the loop. Interpretive signs along the coast point out 1) High Bluff Overlook, a good picnic or photo stop with breathtaking views 1.2 miles south of the mouth of the Klamath River; and 2) a World War II radar station disguised as a farmhouse. Near the mouth of the Klamath, check the sky for enterprising osprey. It’s not unusual to see these sea hawks toting fish they've plucked from the estuary. This narrow road with steep grades and sharp curves offers wide panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Klamath River estuary. Whales, sea lions, and pelicans may be seen from overlooks high above the crashing surf. Hiking and backcountry camping can be accessed from the Flint Ridge section of the Coastal Trail.