Perched on the northern latitudes of California’s rugged coastline, Humboldt County’s forests flow down terraced ridges to the Pacific Ocean, where fog swirls around sea cliffs and rugged rock outcrops. This redwood-blanketed wonderland lies 300 miles north of San Francisco, yet the region’s magnificent trees supplied the raw materials to build that city and many others in the West.
Humboldt County is an outdoor recreation paradise—ideal for hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, wildlife-watching, and more—but it’s also rich in North Coast history, art, culture, and delicious food.
Come for a slow, reverent walk among the earth’s tallest trees, then stay longer to visit friendly towns, wander serene beaches, admire Victorian architecture, and taste fresh oysters and local craft beer.
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Towns to Visit in Humboldt County
For Art and History Buffs: Eureka
Eureka, the county seat, takes pride in its spectacular Victorian structures in Old Town. Many 1880s buildings now house eateries, coffeehouses, boutiques, and community hangouts like Phatsy Kline’s Parlor Lounge and Old Town Art Gallery. The city offers a spiffed-up Waterfront District and intriguing museums—the Morris Graves Museum of Art, Clarke Historical Museum, and Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum. Walk around town to view murals and public art, or go for a harbor cruise aboard the 1910 Madaket, the oldest passenger ferry in the U.S.
For Market Lovers and Free Spirits: Arcata
Just north of Eureka, the lively college town of Arcata, home to Cal Poly Humboldt, centers on a classic town square lined with historic buildings, indie shops, and cafés. On Saturdays, the Arcata Plaza fills with one of the North Coast’s best farmers markets. Browse the vendors inside Jacoby’s Storehouse, a historic 1857 building on the plaza, then head to the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, an innovative wastewater-treatment wetland that doubles as a birding hot spot. Visit during Memorial Day weekend to see the start of the zany Kinetic Grand Championship, a multiday race of human-powered art sculptures that travels from the plaza to Ferndale.
For Architecture and History Buffs: Ferndale
The 19th-century village of Ferndale is so meticulously preserved that it’s easy to forget what year it is. Step back in time on Main Street, which shows off storybook Victorians with colorful gables, towers, and turrets. Shoppers can browse like it’s the 1870s at Golden Gait Mercantile, a purveyor of hats, pantry provisions, and old-timey candy, or survey hand-forged iron housewares at The Blacksmith Shop. Make time for a stroll on secluded Centerville Beach and dining at the town’s award-winning restaurants. Ferndale is deeply charming all year round, but their Fourth of July celebration and parade is a top-notch time to tour this fantastic town.
For Whale Watchers: Trinidad
Farther north, picture-perfect Trinidad hugs steep headlands that overlook a teacup harbor. Take a kayak tour of Trinidad Bay to see seabirds, seals, and tidepool creatures galore, or hike to the top of Trinidad Head to scan for whales. The lush coastal trails of Sue-meg State Park are a short drive from town.
For Fans of Retro Road Trip Stops: Garberville
In Humboldt County’s southern reaches, sunny Garberville lies on the mighty Eel River and borders Richardson Grove State Park. The town celebrates its vintage diners (you can’t miss the chef-flipping-pancakes neon sign at Eel River Café) and architectural gems, including the 1926 Julia Morgan Redwood Grove estate and the Benbow Historic Inn. You’ll also find a few delightfully quirky attractions like the Legend of Bigfoot gift shop.
Where to See Redwoods in Humboldt County
Humboldt Redwoods State Park contains 53,000 acres of skyscraping trees—that’s 80 square miles—including some of the world’s most magnificent old-growth redwoods. See them from the comfort of your car by driving the Avenue of the Giants, a slow-cruising, two-lane road enveloped by titan redwoods.
Start on either end: Phillipsville in the south or Pepperwood in the north. For the best experience, pull over at a roadside trailhead and walk among the trees. Almost any trail here will wow you, but these are especially hard to beat:
- For Easy Strolls: Walk the 0.5-mile loop through the Founders Grove, where 300-foot-plus redwood trees blot out the sky.
- For Curious Minds: Stop at the Humboldt Redwoods Visitor Center, 2 miles south of Weott and about midway along the 31.5-mile route, to learn about the natural history of these spectacular forests.
- For Ambitious Hikers: Head to Orick in northern Humboldt County for longer treks in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, a world where everything is green and supersized. Start near the park visitor center on the redwood-rich Karl Knapp Trail,ichens hang from branches, redwood sorrel carpets the ground, and trees grow to gargantuan size.
- For Photographers: Reserve a permit in advance to hike in Fern Canyon, a hidden paradise of lacy ferns lining a steep, narrow gorge. The trail follows a series of small footbridges deep into the canyon, past hanging gardens of Drooping ferns, miniature waterfalls, and rock faces covered in moss.
- For Guided Explorers: If you’d like to hike with a guide, Orick’s Redwood Adventures offers group or private half- or full-day tours to destinations including Fern Canyon and the Tall Trees Grove.
Where to Eat and Drink in Humboldt County
- Great Brews Across the County: You’d need months to thoroughly explore Humboldt’s food and drink scene. Just hitting the craft breweries could take a week: There’s Six Rivers in McKinleyville, Paskenta Mad River in Blue Lake, Lost Coast in Eureka, Pale Moon and Redwood Curtain in Arcata, Gyppo Ale Mill in Shelter Cove, and Eel River in Fortuna.
- Near The Avenue of the Giants: There are a few noteworthy food stops near the legendary forest, including Phillipsville’s Chimney Tree Grill, a kitschy spot for burgers, patty melts, and fries. Nearby, the Olde Riverwood has served redwoods road-trippers since 1937. The roadside tavern now has new owners, a seasonal menu and line dancing. Four miles north, Miranda’s Redwood Palace delivers on ribeye steaks, Humboldt Bay oysters, and charcuterie.
- In Trinidad: The date-night spot is The Larrupin Café, where guests dine on phyllo-dough-wrapped chicken and grilled portobello mushrooms in a cozy forest cottage.
- In Arcata: At the home of Cal Poly Humboldt, Slice of Humboldt Pie is a favorite hangout. The bakery/bistro gives equal weight to savory and sweet: Order a chicken pot pie or pulled-pork hand pie to start, then finish with a flaky apple pie.
- In Eureka: The ultra-fresh oysters come straight out of Humboldt Bay; order them by the dozen at Humboldt Bay Provisions or Café Waterfront. The bayside city holds a special allure for chocolate lovers: Dick Taylor Chocolate holds factory tours, or you can order a chocolate mousse or flourless torte in the onsite café. At dinnertime, Brick and Fire Bistro serves wood-oven-fired pizza, wild mushroom cobbler, and fire-roasted chicken.
Eat the Award-Winning Humboldt Fog Cheese
It wouldn’t be a trip to Humboldt County without a sampling of the beloved Humboldt Fog cheese, created locally at the Cypress Grove creamery. The offices and farm do not have a retail shop or tasting room, but you can find this creamy goat cheese locally at Wildberries Marketplace, located at the Arcata co-op and at Eureka Natural Foods.
Where to Stay in Humboldt County
- For Cottage Stays: On the Avenue of the Giants, Miranda Gardens Resort rents cottages with kitchens, fireplaces, and decks in a summer-camp setting. Massive redwood trees grow right outside your cottage’s windows.
- For Golfers and History Buffs: For a more refined stay, book a room or suite at the aforementioned Benbow Historic Inn, a 1920s resort in Garberville, on the Eel River. With a long list of creature comforts—including a fine-dining restaurant and lounge, nine-hole golf course, and terraces and lawns overlooking the river—the Benbow is a relic of the bygone era of first-class travel. Herbert Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Clark Gable have all slept here.
MORE: Places to See California’s Big Trees
- For Fans of the Gilded Age: Great for Year-Round Lovers of Victoriana should head to Ferndale to ooh and aah over one of Northern California’s most photographed buildings, the Gingerbread Mansion. The splendid Queen Anne Victorian has 11 guest rooms and four parlors, each decorated with period antiques. Eureka’s inns also offer a glimpse into the North Coast’s gilded Victorian heritage. Tuck in for the night at one of five buildings that make up Carter House Inns or reserve a room at the Historic Eagle House.
- For Wildlife Lovers: Visitors flock to Orick to admire the local herd of Roosevelt elk. Book an overnight at Elk Meadow Cabins, and you have a good chance to view them while sipping your morning coffee. The regal beasts often graze in the cabin resort’s expansive meadow.
- For Seaside Stays: Trinidad’s Lost Whale Inn is perched on a bluff overlooking a shoreline dotted with wave-sculpted sea stacks and barking seals. If you’re headed to the Lost Coast, you’ll find a Pacific-wave sleeping soundtrack at Shelter Cove’s Black Sands Inn, where each room has an unobstructed ocean view.
