Right Beaches › California › Arcata
Ma-le'l Dunes South Unit
4.4★ · 116 Google ratings · Arcata, California
✓ Parking✓ Restrooms✓ Picnic tables
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 20 ft away
Access
6am to 8pm
Walk
525 yd · 6 min
Restrooms
Yes · 60 ft away
Water
58°F
Tide
8 ft range today
Sand
90 ft from the water to the back
Crowds
Quietest Tue 8am
Map of Ma-le'l Dunes South Unit
1
1Parking, restrooms, drinking water and picnic tables
Guide
Good to know
Best for families with dogs
The south trail allows dogs and horses, and multiple reviewers report their dogs and children enjoying the sand dunes.
Go on sunny days for views
Fog frequently blankets the ocean side, but clear days reveal the full dune landscape and ocean views.
Take the left trail to beach
The left trail reaches the beach in about 12 minutes, while the right trail takes roughly a mile longer.
Some shade is available
Visitors mention trees, cliffs or umbrellas to get out of the sun.Mentioned by 2 visitors · 2016–2026
Wear sturdy hiking shoes
Sand will work into whatever footwear you wear, and the dune terrain requires good grip and ankle support.
Bring water for the walk
The trail to the beach is long enough that carrying water makes the hike more comfortable.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
57°F · clear
Water
58°F
Waves
6.7 ft · 10 s apart
Wind
4 mph from the W
Shelter
Onshore · wind blowing straight in off the water
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 00:31 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 07:31 | High tide | ↑ |
| 11:36 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 18:19 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:37 AM.
Crowds
When it gets busy
| 8a | 9a | 10a | 11a | 12p | 1p | 2p | 3p | 4p | 5p | 6p | 7p | |
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QuietBusy
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 Vera Linda Ln, Arcata, CA 95521
🅿 Parking 20 ft from the listing, Parking for Ma-le'l Dunes
🌊 Water 525 yd away, about 6 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 60 ft away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
0.9 miles away · shorter walk
1.7 miles away · shorter walk
2.9 miles away
4.4 miles away · shorter walk
4.8 miles away · shorter walk
5.0 miles away · shorter walk
Find another
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Ma-le'l Dunes South Unit?
The nearest mapped parking area is 20 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Ma-le'l Dunes South Unit?
525 yd in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, about 6 min. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Ma-le'l Dunes South Unit have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 60 ft from the listing.
When is Ma-le'l Dunes South Unit least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Tue 8am and the busiest at Sat 3pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
