Best time of year to hike the Lost Coast?

We went in late May. Supposedly the June gloom sets in….you guessed it….June. We happened to hit a perfect time just after a fairly significant storm and had fantastic weather for the 3 days. Northern section is amazing….unlike anything you've done before. Check the tide charts. :)

Also just got back from off pavement overland trip on Usal Road which parallels the southern section and camped at several of the spots you'd likely stay at hiking the trail (Needle Rock, Bear Harbor, Usal Beach). Did a quick overnight 2.5 mile trek and overnight camp to Bear Harbor from Needle Rock and then back the next morning with my 5 and 7 year olds.

Weather for this trip was completely socked in with fog. As in, it didn't burn off. Didn't see the sun for 4 days. The host at Needle Rock said it had been in the low 80's up til the day previous to us arriving.

We figured we'd have good weather in October, but I think it's really hit or miss. If I were going back, I'd do late May or June….we did Usal road in June and had great weather then as well.

We went at the end of July 3 years ago and the weather was nice. Some cloud cover that burned off, pleasant temperatures. Note that we were coming from Sacramento so really enjoyed the cooler weather.

If all you care about is not a lot of people… anytime all the college kids in the bay area are not in school – beyond that, the LCT has no "bad time" of the year.

i have heard the Usal beach area is/was party spot central for the younger set of that area.
consider that crime and the drug mobs/gangs have overtaken much of that area of the state, and it may be better to use Needle Point as a staging area. the visiter center is at Needle Point anyway.
it's just a matter of vehicle security, not mortal danger.

also, the LCT has become know to folks all over the world, and they are starting to show up there.

detail cool info :
if you are camped at the beach half way down/up the southern part between Usal and Needle (can't recall the name, but it's the main camp), and you are not at the beach camp, but at forest camp, you may see square holes up in some old trees. those holes were for the Tree Houses they used to have there. the tree camps got old and ratty, and they dropped them down years ago, but it was s till very very cool.