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Secluded scene Shelter Cove has been described as where the sea.

We hit highway 101 from the City of the Golden Gate. As the spiralling road takes you to the top of the range, a stunning spectacle unfolds. The sight of the mighty ocean, its waves lashing the foot of the hills below. The sun is just dipping behind the horizon. The sight remains framed in the mind’s eye for a lifetime. A writer has rightly described it as the place where ‘the sea and the land meet with a vengeance’.

Excitement mounts as we hear that Shelter Cove has a ‘mystery’ — it’s called the Lost Coast. History and geography have conspired to keep this part of the Pacific coast out of bounds for people until mid-19th century. This stretch of coast as well as land remained unknown long after the rest of the United States was mapped. Hence, the name, Lost Coast. The only deep water port over a long rugged coastline, Humboldt Bay here remained obscure from seafarers because of its narrow and treacherous opening. It was witness to many shipwrecks. Chill winds blow as we reach Shelter Cove, also known as ‘Paradise’ and ‘Gem of the Lost Coast’. We check in at ‘Tides Inn’ where every suite offers a spectacular view of the Pacific. ‘Look ma, the sea is so close. I can’t believe it’, my grand-daughter, screams in delight.

It is a long holiday, yet you do not see too many people. Cars do not choke the roads. The rich fly in by small aircraft that land on the daylight airstrip. Barring a handful of beach-combers, tide-pool gazers and tourists waiting to glimpse friendly seals or sea-lions, you are virtually to yourself. A few steps over the rocky edges into the water, you see star fish, sea urchins and other marine species trapped in the tide pools. We count 17 star fish! Thanks to Julie, the ever-friendly inn-keeper, who offers us a powerful torch to watch them in dark. We wake up to a thrilling sight the next morning — deer frolicking on the beach! The horned beauties come down from the nearby coastal mountains.

The land meet with a vengeance.

A short drive away, we walk down the hill slope to the ocean below. The beach here is carpeted by millions of fine black sand granules and pebbles. Sign-posts warn people not to venture into the dangerously unpredictable sea at this point. Trekkers heading for the nearby trails are also warned of bears.

Another compelling sight beckoning the tourist at Shelter Cove is the Cape Mendocino lighthouse. Originally set up at a place 20 miles away, it had served mariners for over 80 years until in 1951 it was deactivated by the Coast Guard. Years took their toll on the neglected tower when a group of heritage-conscious volunteers raised funds for its restoration. It was relocated, piece by piece, at Shelter Cove in 1998 and fully restored.

If you wish to do nothing but lie about, you can still spend hours watching the waves or watch hopefully for spouting of a distant whale. It is difficult not to fall in love — with Nature.

How to get there: Take Highway 101 from San Francisco and exit at Garberville or Redway. Shelter Cove has hotels offering accommodation with all amenities.

There is an airstrip with day landing facility.

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