Thousands of years before the first Europeans reached the coast of California, Native Americans lived a rich and cultured life in the area now known as Humboldt County. Today their fascinating history is preserved and exhibited at the Hoopa Tribal Museum. This tremendous collection displays the heritage of the Yurok, Hoopa and Karuk tribes that once dominated the area. You will … [Read more...]
#37 – Chapman’s Gem, Mineral Shop & Museum
A wonderful collection of stunning gems and minerals from deep below the earth’s surface awaits you at Chapman’s Gem & Mineral Shop and Museum just outside of Fortuna. Here you can view these strikingly lovely stones from around the world at your leisure. Not only will you see gems in a huge range of colors, shapes and sizes in this impressively large collection, but you wil … [Read more...]
#38 – Fortuna Depot Museum
In 1889 the Eel River and Eureka Railroad constructed a depot at the foot of 7th Street. It remained in service through 1965, and in 1974 the City of Fortuna purchased it and moved it to Rohner Park. The depot building opened as a museum on July 4, 1976 amid Bicentennial celebrations. Featured displays include railroad and logging artifacts, a collection of local Native … [Read more...]
#46 – Eureka Summer Concert Series
Every summer from late June through the end of August, music lovers in the Eureka area receive a special treat — free concerts! Held on successive Thursdays from 6 to 8pm, these concerts have become a popular annual tradition. Genres range across a musical spectrum that includes rock, blues, country, reggae, Cajun, and every now and then, a taste of Celtic. The atmosphere is f … [Read more...]
#50 – Samoa Cookhouse and Logging Museum
For the experience of friends and family sitting down for a casual dinner, talking over the day’s events and catching up on life, head to the Samoa Cookhouse. It’s been serving wonderful “family style” breakfasts, lunches and dinners since 1894. This dining experience is unique. For instance, there are no menus. Delicious meals are prepared every day by skillful chefs, and whe … [Read more...]
#52 – Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum
Humboldt Bay was settled in the early 19th century, and has a rich seafaring history filled with adventure, passion and — especially — disaster. From the 1850s through the early part of the 20th century, the best way to carry passengers, lumber and goods to and from this area was by sea. In 1853 alone, 12 ships wrecked on the bar at the treacherous mouth of the bay. By 1856 the … [Read more...]
#54 – Blue Ox Millworks & Historic Park
Blue Ox Millworks manufactures authentic Victorian-style architectural millwork using antique equipment ranging from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s and traditional woodworking techniques from that era. They produce custom doors, windows, turnings and Victorian gingerbread and ship it nationwide. Their tooling includes the largest collection of operating Barnes Brothers … [Read more...]
#57 – Clarke Historical Museum
The rich and diverse history of Humboldt County and California’s northern coast come alive at the Clarke Historical Museum in Eureka. Housed in a 1912 bank building, the museum is devoted to the preservation and presentation of many facets of the area’s past. Beginning with the culture of the land’s original Native American inhabitants, and continuing to the present day, you wil … [Read more...]
#59 – Morris Graves Museum of Art
The Morris Graves Museum of Art in downtown Eureka is dedicated to the arts and artists of the Pacific Northwest, including the works of its patron artist, Morris Graves. It is housed in the refurbished old Eureka Carnegie Library building, a grand structure originally completed in 1904. The museum is home to the Humboldt Arts Council, whose Permanent Art Collection was … [Read more...]
#62 – Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
Fort Humboldt State Historic Park, located at the south end of Eureka, is a must-see for history buffs. Situated on a bluff overlooking Humboldt Bay, Fort Humboldt was established in 1853 when the Gold Rush resulted in hostilities between Native Americans and gold seekers. At its operational peak, the fort had 14 buildings. A young Ulysses S. Grant was a captain here for five … [Read more...]
American Indian Art & Gifts, Eureka
A large number of local Indian artists live in isolated areas. To assist these artists, Northern California Indian Development Council founded the American Indian Art and Gift Shop. The Gift Shop assists Indian artists and crafts people by providing an expanded retail market for their products. The work of over 40 local Indian artists is currently represented in the shop, as … [Read more...]
Arcata Artisans
Arcata Artisans Cooperative in Arcata is a fine art and craft cooperative gallery, and gift shop. Featuring the work of 31 local owner/members. They have abstract and traditional paintings, watercolors, ceramics, photography, textile arts, silversmithing, jewelry, mosaics, woodworking, glass arts and more. They also have the best assortment of artist-made greeting cards in … [Read more...]
Blacksmith Shop, Ferndale
The Blacksmith Shop in the Victorian Village of Ferndale offers the finest and largest collection of master blacksmithing in the United States. They have a wonderful selection of hand forged fireplace tools, wine racks, cabinet hardware, cutlery, candle holders, pot racks, lamps, sculptures, and many other amazing things. Where: 455 Main St., Ferndale (google map) More I … [Read more...]
Chapman’s Gem & Mineral Shop, Fortuna
Chapman's Gem & Mineral Shop located just south of Fortuna is a 75,000 foot showroom displaying some of the most beautiful stones from around the world. Not only will you see gems in a huge range of color, shape and size in this impressively large collection, but also a petrified palm display, precious stones, Native American and pre-Columbian artifacts, fossilized animal … [Read more...]
Dell’Arte International, Blue Lake
Dell’Arte International in Blue Lake is the work of an extraordinary community of artists located amidst the majestic redwoods and rugged beauty of California’s North Coast. The combination of their actor training programs, the original touring productions of the Dell’Arte Company, their summer festival, their education programs in local schools, and their work in econo … [Read more...]
Eureka Main Street
Eureka Main Street promotes the unique character of Eureka’s Core Business District. They focus on the downtown and Old Town areas which offer specialty shopping and distinguished restaurants that draw locals and visitors from throughout the region. Where: 525 2nd St., Suite 105, Eureka (google map) More Info:707-442-9054 | EurekaMainStreet.org … [Read more...]
Ferndale Arts Gallery
Ferndale Arts Gallery is host to 22 area artists in the Ferndale Arts & Cultural Center, the creative cornerstone of the Victorian Village of Ferndale. Paintings, ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts, exquisite wood turnings and photography greet visitors every day of the week. One artist is featured each month, and there are several seasonal shows during the year. Where: 580 … [Read more...]
Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Center, Weott
At Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Center in Garberville visitors learn about the tallest trees on earth. There are numerous visual and hands on educational exhibits, a theater, a gift shop, and a friendly volunteer staff to answer questions about the park. The Visitor Center is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Where: 17119 Avenue of the Giants, … [Read more...]
Mateel Community Center, Redway
The Mateel Community Center is a hub of a culturally diverse and inclusive community. They facilitate and nurture the community's capacity for creative self-expression and offer programs and facilities that serve the whole community with an emphasis on visual and performing arts. Their major events, in addition to Reggae on the River, include their longest running event, the … [Read more...]
Pierson Pottery, Eureka
Pierson Pottery is located about six miles from the heart of Old Town Eureka. On any day of the year, it's a lovely drive to Freshwater from downtown Eureka . The studio sits on a gentle sloping hill behind Freshwater Valley Stables, the family boarding stables. Visitors to the studio can enter through the stable entrance and follow the painted arrow signs, past the chickens an … [Read more...]
Trinidad Art Gallery
Trinidad Art Gallery is a fine arts and crafts cooperative gallery featuring the best of Humboldt County’s artists. Established in 2012 with generous assistance from the citizens of this spectacular beachfront town, the gallery, located in the heart of Trinidad, is housed in a beautiful historic building overlooking the ocean. Where: 490 Trinity St., Trinidad (google ma … [Read more...]