Andrew's Guidebook
Sightseeing
This beach is a great place to walk the dog, climb on rocks, have kids play in the water, surf or take in a sunset! I go there to paint pictures often!
69 locals raden deze aan
Moonstone Beach
This beach is a great place to walk the dog, climb on rocks, have kids play in the water, surf or take in a sunset! I go there to paint pictures often!
This is a great place to sit in the sand and watch the surf with family. There are many stairs to the beach that are steep, and you will need to cross a stream that is always changing, so stones and logs for crossing are different every time. But it’s shallow, so just take your shoes off. Good for dogs too!
38 locals raden deze aan
Luffenholtz Beach
1639 Trinidad Scenic DrThis is a great place to sit in the sand and watch the surf with family. There are many stairs to the beach that are steep, and you will need to cross a stream that is always changing, so stones and logs for crossing are different every time. But it’s shallow, so just take your shoes off. Good for dogs too!
This is one of my favorite local hikes! You circumnavigate the head, which is a tall hill out in the ocean, head to the top for views and then keep following the trail around the head. Great for kids and dogs, because there are lots of trail off shoots to explore! A moderately active person in their 60’s can probably handle the hike as well. Park at the base of the head.
68 locals raden deze aan
Trinidad Head Trail
Trinidad Head TrailThis is one of my favorite local hikes! You circumnavigate the head, which is a tall hill out in the ocean, head to the top for views and then keep following the trail around the head. Great for kids and dogs, because there are lots of trail off shoots to explore! A moderately active person in their 60’s can probably handle the hike as well. Park at the base of the head.
This is a short hike, from an isolated beach into a small narrow canyon that has ferns growing up the walls! There are a couple of small stream crossings that have collapsible bridges across them in the summer. Probably accessable via rocks or logs in the winter. It’s possible to climb a stairway at the back of the canyon and make a loop hike through the redwood forests if you have a couple hours!
103 locals raden deze aan
Fern Canyon
This is a short hike, from an isolated beach into a small narrow canyon that has ferns growing up the walls! There are a couple of small stream crossings that have collapsible bridges across them in the summer. Probably accessable via rocks or logs in the winter. It’s possible to climb a stairway at the back of the canyon and make a loop hike through the redwood forests if you have a couple hours!
This is a classic Trinidad trail, that most locals are fond of! It leads to a rock formation that gets up above the trees, allowing a sweeping view of the coastline! The rock formation is at the end of the hike. Elderly might hang back for the last bit, there is a rope to hold while climbing the rock. Kids will love it, but keep an eye on them, because there is no guard rail!
Strawberry Rock Trail
Strawberry Rock TrailThis is a classic Trinidad trail, that most locals are fond of! It leads to a rock formation that gets up above the trees, allowing a sweeping view of the coastline! The rock formation is at the end of the hike. Elderly might hang back for the last bit, there is a rope to hold while climbing the rock. Kids will love it, but keep an eye on them, because there is no guard rail!
Great hike through the forests and out to the ocean. The ocean part involves a moderate rope ladder to get down. I believe Jurassic Park was filmed here.
Skunk Cabbage Creek
Great hike through the forests and out to the ocean. The ocean part involves a moderate rope ladder to get down. I believe Jurassic Park was filmed here.
This marsh is actually a man made sewage treatment facility, that has beautiful walking trails, tons of migratory birds, and an interpretive center. Great place to run, go for a stroll, photograph, or just sit at a table and eat lunch! Great for wheel chairs!
37 locals raden deze aan
Arcata Marsh
This marsh is actually a man made sewage treatment facility, that has beautiful walking trails, tons of migratory birds, and an interpretive center. Great place to run, go for a stroll, photograph, or just sit at a table and eat lunch! Great for wheel chairs!
Great hike if you don’t want to drive that far. Give yourself an hour to walk through the forest, across the dunes and out to the beach. This is one of the only dune forests on the west coast, the trees come right out of the sand! It feels like a fairy forest to me! A favorite place to paint! Not too strenuous, tho there are stairs and short switch backs. There are three parking lots. My favorite route is to turn right at the gun club sign and use the trail head parking. Tho all three offer great hikes!
North Ma-le'l Dunes Road
North Ma-le'l Dunes RoadGreat hike if you don’t want to drive that far. Give yourself an hour to walk through the forest, across the dunes and out to the beach. This is one of the only dune forests on the west coast, the trees come right out of the sand! It feels like a fairy forest to me! A favorite place to paint! Not too strenuous, tho there are stairs and short switch backs. There are three parking lots. My favorite route is to turn right at the gun club sign and use the trail head parking. Tho all three offer great hikes!
This trail has a paved section for wheel chairs. It is a beautiful redwood forest hike that can be done in a loop in about an hour.
32 locals raden deze aan
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
Bald Hills RoadThis trail has a paved section for wheel chairs. It is a beautiful redwood forest hike that can be done in a loop in about an hour.
Houda Point Beach/Camel Rock
This is where the surfers hang out in numbers!
This is a closeby network of trails through a Cypress Pine forest with ocean views. They have a Dog Park right behind the playground too!
8 locals raden deze aan
Hiller Park
This is a closeby network of trails through a Cypress Pine forest with ocean views. They have a Dog Park right behind the playground too!
This town features lots of protected Victorian architecture. Several films have been created there. It is also a good destination for boutiques!
63 locals raden deze aan
Ferndale
This town features lots of protected Victorian architecture. Several films have been created there. It is also a good destination for boutiques!
This is where you can head for boutique shopping, restaurants, farmers market on Saturday mornings in the summer.
47 locals raden deze aan
Arcata Plaza
844 H StThis is where you can head for boutique shopping, restaurants, farmers market on Saturday mornings in the summer.
Old Town Eureka is great for boutique shopping, feeding pigeons, and checking out the murals. Los Bagels is a local favorite for lunch.
66 locals raden deze aan
Old Town
Old Town Eureka is great for boutique shopping, feeding pigeons, and checking out the murals. Los Bagels is a local favorite for lunch.
This is a wetland habitat that has been preserved for migratory birds. There is an interpretive center and walking trails, as well as bird blinds to quietly wait and observe.
7 locals raden deze aan
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
1020 Ranch RdThis is a wetland habitat that has been preserved for migratory birds. There is an interpretive center and walking trails, as well as bird blinds to quietly wait and observe.
This is a medium sized botanical garden, with some short hiking trails to get great views of the area. Head up to the top of the hill for the best views. Check the hours before going.
9 locals raden deze aan
Humboldt Botanical Garden
7707 Tompkins Hill RdThis is a medium sized botanical garden, with some short hiking trails to get great views of the area. Head up to the top of the hill for the best views. Check the hours before going.
This forest is the pride of our city! The forest in the backyard is connected to it, but to hike it you really need to head to a trailhead, otherwise it’s a bunch of steep bushwhacking. There is a trailhead right at the top of California Ave. drive or walk until you get to the dead end, you’ll see the signs for the entrance. Follow the path until you get to the until you get to a big metal trash can, take a right, follow path until you see the first trail marker sign on the left, follow this new trail and take every right you can, this will make a loop that will take about 30 minutes. But you are only touching the surface with that hike. There are many other trails!
Get the trail map here:
bit.ly/3o3yYH4
The image shows a red dot where our trailhead fits into the larger map.
Most people go to the Redwood Park trailhead. There is a playground, bbqs, picnic tables, and trails through the tall trees.
Great for mountain biking too!
92 locals raden deze aan
Arcata Gemeenschapsbos
This forest is the pride of our city! The forest in the backyard is connected to it, but to hike it you really need to head to a trailhead, otherwise it’s a bunch of steep bushwhacking. There is a trailhead right at the top of California Ave. drive or walk until you get to the dead end, you’ll see the signs for the entrance. Follow the path until you get to the until you get to a big metal trash can, take a right, follow path until you see the first trail marker sign on the left, follow this new trail and take every right you can, this will make a loop that will take about 30 minutes. But you are only touching the surface with that hike. There are many other trails!
Get the trail map here:
bit.ly/3o3yYH4
The image shows a red dot where our trailhead fits into the larger map.
Most people go to the Redwood Park trailhead. There is a playground, bbqs, picnic tables, and trails through the tall trees.
Great for mountain biking too!
This is the place I love to go to spend time in the Redwoods, the Arcata forest is second growth, while Prairie Creek is Old Growth with an intact understory ecosystem. I just recently hiked the Cathedral Trees loop and it was gorgeous and full of huge trees. I don’t go for the height tho, I go for the peacefulness and lushness of the forest! Everything around you is alive and thriving with clean energy!
87 locals raden deze aan
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
127011 Newton B. Drury Scenic PkwyThis is the place I love to go to spend time in the Redwoods, the Arcata forest is second growth, while Prairie Creek is Old Growth with an intact understory ecosystem. I just recently hiked the Cathedral Trees loop and it was gorgeous and full of huge trees. I don’t go for the height tho, I go for the peacefulness and lushness of the forest! Everything around you is alive and thriving with clean energy!
Patrick's Point/Sue-Meg Park You can see a reproduction of a local Indian village, This is a beautiful park on the coast. There are nature trails, an interpretive center, ask about Agate Beach and they will show you what to look for, best to hunt agates after a storm. There are beautiful views from Lookout Rock and Wedding Rock!
90 locals raden deze aan
Patricks Point State Park
4150 Patricks Point DrPatrick's Point/Sue-Meg Park You can see a reproduction of a local Indian village, This is a beautiful park on the coast. There are nature trails, an interpretive center, ask about Agate Beach and they will show you what to look for, best to hunt agates after a storm. There are beautiful views from Lookout Rock and Wedding Rock!
Food scene
Yuuuum! This is a creative and fun little restaurant. They serve breakfast and lunch, with various sweet desert crepes and savory crepes topped with salad greens, perfect with red wine! They have gluten free crepes too!
63 locals raden deze aan
Renata's Creperie
1030 G StYuuuum! This is a creative and fun little restaurant. They serve breakfast and lunch, with various sweet desert crepes and savory crepes topped with salad greens, perfect with red wine! They have gluten free crepes too!
This is our favorite sit down Mexican Restaurant, for their sauces! My favorite thing to order is the chipotle potato tacos! Also, their green sauce is delicious on a wet burrito or an enchilada!
9 locals raden deze aan
Rita's Margaritas & Mexican Grill
855 8th StThis is our favorite sit down Mexican Restaurant, for their sauces! My favorite thing to order is the chipotle potato tacos! Also, their green sauce is delicious on a wet burrito or an enchilada!
This is my favorite upscale restaurant. Their atmosphere is warm, dimly lit, and elegant in a homey way. Their staff are very attentive and the food is rich, creative and flavorful!
110 locals raden deze aan
The Larrupin' Cafe
1658 Patricks Point DrThis is my favorite upscale restaurant. Their atmosphere is warm, dimly lit, and elegant in a homey way. Their staff are very attentive and the food is rich, creative and flavorful!
Carefully crafted Thai food with wonderful flavors! The space is small, so call ahead for a reservation.
13 locals raden deze aan
Bencharong Thai House
600 F StCarefully crafted Thai food with wonderful flavors! The space is small, so call ahead for a reservation.
Best drip coffee in Arcata! Great destination for brunch, they have a case full of French pastries and a grill chef to prepare hot dishes. The owner takes his food craft very seriously!
76 locals raden deze aan
Cafe Brio
791 G StBest drip coffee in Arcata! Great destination for brunch, they have a case full of French pastries and a grill chef to prepare hot dishes. The owner takes his food craft very seriously!
Great pizza, huge sandwich’s, they do it up right for family dining or take out! Open until 10pm!
6 locals raden deze aan
Arcata Pizza & Deli
1057 H StGreat pizza, huge sandwich’s, they do it up right for family dining or take out! Open until 10pm!
If you like burgers or even veggie burgers this classic 50’s burger joint will not disappoint! Burger people always praise Stars around here!
Stars Hamburgers
1535 G StIf you like burgers or even veggie burgers this classic 50’s burger joint will not disappoint! Burger people always praise Stars around here!
If you are ordering pizza, check out this classic New York pizza joint! They have great specialty pizzas like The Godfather, The Wise Guy, and The Off Broadway! Good gluten free crust if you want that too, tho the gluten free pizzas are only big enough for two people.
Live From New York Pizza
665 Samoa BoulevardIf you are ordering pizza, check out this classic New York pizza joint! They have great specialty pizzas like The Godfather, The Wise Guy, and The Off Broadway! Good gluten free crust if you want that too, tho the gluten free pizzas are only big enough for two people.
One of the best outdoor seating accommodations in Arcata. The artisanal cocktails are “soo friggin good!” According to my wife Alice. These guys do seafood right!
47 locals raden deze aan
SALT Fish House
935 I StOne of the best outdoor seating accommodations in Arcata. The artisanal cocktails are “soo friggin good!” According to my wife Alice. These guys do seafood right!
I haven’t personally been here, but I have heard many rave reviews! So I’ll just copy paste their description. It sounds delicious, fun and relaxing!
A modern American steakhouse cooking large, prime cuts of meat over a live-fire grill of mesquite, almond, and cherry wood. Our market-driven menu features locally sourced produce and seafood; our craft bar serves up new & traditional cocktails.
50 locals raden deze aan
Campground
865 9th StI haven’t personally been here, but I have heard many rave reviews! So I’ll just copy paste their description. It sounds delicious, fun and relaxing!
A modern American steakhouse cooking large, prime cuts of meat over a live-fire grill of mesquite, almond, and cherry wood. Our market-driven menu features locally sourced produce and seafood; our craft bar serves up new & traditional cocktails.
It’s a cider bar, with all kinds of pie. Great outdoor seating. Everyone loves this place!
36 locals raden deze aan
Slice Of Humboldt Pie
828 I StIt’s a cider bar, with all kinds of pie. Great outdoor seating. Everyone loves this place!
Japanese style noodle soups, delicious and healthy! Great curries too!
24 locals raden deze aan
Japhy's Soup & Noodles
1563 G StJapanese style noodle soups, delicious and healthy! Great curries too!
Great sushi, great romantic atmosphere! Never disappointed!
34 locals raden deze aan
Sushi Spot Arcata
670 9th StGreat sushi, great romantic atmosphere! Never disappointed!
Mia Bella Cupcakes
1041 H StAll kinds of cupcakes! They have vegan and gluten free as well.
Guests have been asking about seafood recommendations, so I have been surveying the folks coming through. The Sea Grill was said to have a warm environment and excellent wine parings.
18 locals raden deze aan
Sea Grill
316 E StGuests have been asking about seafood recommendations, so I have been surveying the folks coming through. The Sea Grill was said to have a warm environment and excellent wine parings.
One of our guests said they really enjoyed Jack's Seafood, it's right on the harbor. Looks like straight forward seafood, from the photos I have seen.
Jack's Seafood
4 C StOne of our guests said they really enjoyed Jack's Seafood, it's right on the harbor. Looks like straight forward seafood, from the photos I have seen.
My wife often meets with a friend at Cafe Pheonix. It's the kind of small hippy café you would expect to find in Arcata. Good for a light lunch, coffee and conversation!
23 locals raden deze aan
Cafe Phoenix
1360 G StMy wife often meets with a friend at Cafe Pheonix. It's the kind of small hippy café you would expect to find in Arcata. Good for a light lunch, coffee and conversation!
Skate Parks
1090 Sunset Ave
1090 Sunset AvenueThis is a public skate park, free to use, closed at night time.
RampArt Indoor Skate Park Arcata
700 S G StThis is Arcata’s indoor skate park.
Eureka Skate Park
1720 Q StEureka has a great skate park too!
Bocci Ball
Larson Park
This park has two Bocci courts. We have a set of balls you can use.
Golf and Frisbee Golf
This course is one of two local courses open to the community. You can disc golf here as well. It seems to have mixed reviews, beautiful, moderately challenging, perhaps not well maintained.
Beau Pre Golf Club
1777 Norton RdThis course is one of two local courses open to the community. You can disc golf here as well. It seems to have mixed reviews, beautiful, moderately challenging, perhaps not well maintained.
Not far from Eureka, Eureka Golf Course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Eureka Golf Course difficult yet friendly, and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round. Eureka Golf Course is a terrific choice for your regular rounds of golf or a new destination for you and friends when visiting Eureka.
Eureka Municipal Golf Course
4750 Fairway DrNot far from Eureka, Eureka Golf Course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Eureka Golf Course difficult yet friendly, and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round. Eureka Golf Course is a terrific choice for your regular rounds of golf or a new destination for you and friends when visiting Eureka.
I’ve played this course, it’s popular, flat, wooded, right next to the river. Nice place to spend the afternoon!
6 locals raden deze aan
Mad River Pump Station 4 - Disc Golf Course
371 Warren Creek RdI’ve played this course, it’s popular, flat, wooded, right next to the river. Nice place to spend the afternoon!
The Redwood Curtain threads its way through the redwood and fern forest behind HSU. Narrow fairways and lots of trees. More board-feet per hole than any course in the world!
92 locals raden deze aan
Arcata Gemeenschapsbos
The Redwood Curtain threads its way through the redwood and fern forest behind HSU. Narrow fairways and lots of trees. More board-feet per hole than any course in the world!
Activities
If I was a tourist in Arcata, I'd want to return home with the story of learning to throw an axe better than everyone I traveled with. This is an all ages venue, tho you do get extra points if you can hit the bull's eye with a beer in your other hand.
15 locals raden deze aan
Hatchet House Throwing Club
737 G StIf I was a tourist in Arcata, I'd want to return home with the story of learning to throw an axe better than everyone I traveled with. This is an all ages venue, tho you do get extra points if you can hit the bull's eye with a beer in your other hand.
Is it raining outside and the kids are ready to climb the walls? Take them to the Far North Climbing Gym, great for kids and serious climbers alike. If it isn't raining out, you might want to head to Moonstone Beach they have some nice cliffs and boulders to climb.
9 locals raden deze aan
Far North Climbing Gym
1065 K StIs it raining outside and the kids are ready to climb the walls? Take them to the Far North Climbing Gym, great for kids and serious climbers alike. If it isn't raining out, you might want to head to Moonstone Beach they have some nice cliffs and boulders to climb.
Saturday mornings we have a farmers Market on the plaza. Pick up some produce, listen to live music, dodge the jugglers and hula hoopers, and wander through Arcata's boutiques, for a snack drop by Cafe Brio for a French pastry and drip coffee.
43 locals raden deze aan
Arcata Farmer's Market
8th StreetSaturday mornings we have a farmers Market on the plaza. Pick up some produce, listen to live music, dodge the jugglers and hula hoopers, and wander through Arcata's boutiques, for a snack drop by Cafe Brio for a French pastry and drip coffee.
Arcata Ball Park
888 F StSummer means it is time for Humboldt Crabs Baseball! Does it get any better?
This is a small museum, with some interactive moments for the kids, some big 'ol extinct animal reproductions, dioramas...etc.
Natural History Museum
1242 G StThis is a small museum, with some interactive moments for the kids, some big 'ol extinct animal reproductions, dioramas...etc.
Small museum with local antiques, and a really nice collection of local Indian basketry and crafts.
26 locals raden deze aan
Clarke Historical Museum
240 E StSmall museum with local antiques, and a really nice collection of local Indian basketry and crafts.
This is a small zoo, I go for the otters and the farm animal petting zoo, there is a new redwood skywalk that provides a high up view of the forest, and a walk in bird enclosure as well.
112 locals raden deze aan
Sequoia Park Zoo
3414 W StThis is a small zoo, I go for the otters and the farm animal petting zoo, there is a new redwood skywalk that provides a high up view of the forest, and a walk in bird enclosure as well.
Harbor Lanes
2136 Broadway StreetPut on some fancy shoes and go bowling!