Welcome to Humboldt County

Humboldt County is a haven for travelers and residents alike, with over 160 miles of unspoiled coastline, hundreds of thousands of acres of coastal redwood trees, wild rivers, bustling seaports, quaint farming communities and fascinating historical areas. Travelers will find exceptional accommodations, fine restaurants, wonderful shops and numerous campgrounds to serve them while they explore the area’s rocky coastlines, warm inland communities and major rivers.

The county is situated on the Northern California coast, 90 miles south of the Oregon border, and its largest towns are adjacent to Hwy 101. Eureka, the county seat, is approximately 283 miles north of San Francisco and 335 miles south of Portland, Oregon. In southern Humboldt, Hwy 101 is lined by some of the first redwoods spotted by northbound travelers. Richardson Grove State Park is a magnificent 2,000 acres of redwoods, located nine miles south of the town of Garberville. The state acquired the area in the early 1920s, making it one of the oldest state parks in California. A jaunt down smaller side roads that exit Hwy 101 will lead travelers to the King Range National Conservation Area and Humboldt County’s Lost Coast. This adventure leads to hamlets such as Hidden Valley and Whitethorn, and ultimately ends at the town of Shelter Cove. Further north on Hwy 101 after leaving the towns of Garberville and Redway is the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile stretch of two-lane road, dotted with small unique towns, that winds through stands of huge redwoods along the Eel River.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is located along the Avenue and covers more than 52,000 acres. After leaving the Avenue of the Giants, the traveler will once again be on Hwy 101 and will pass the village of Scotia, owned by the Humboldt Redwood Company, and Rio Dell, a town of around 3,200 people. Further north is the sunny inland town of Fortuna, known as the jewel of the Eel River Valley. Friendly Fortuna has developed tremendous accommodations for tourists in recent years, including several hotels along the Eel River, and an attractive community center. East of Fortuna, along State Hwy 36, is Grizzly Creek State Park, a favorite for hiking, camping and summer sun. The Victorian village of Ferndale is just northwest of Fortuna and 16 miles south of Eureka. The entire town has been named a State Historical Landmark because of its strong preservation policies of commercial buildings and residences.

Eureka contains more fine examples of Victorian architecture, particularly in the Old Town section along the city’s waterfront. Old Town is home to the extravagantly ornate Carson Mansion, one of the most photographed buildings in California. Eureka’s population of nearly 28,000 makes it the largest coastal city between San Francisco and the Oregon border. Eureka has a multitude of excellent restaurants, cafes, specialty shops and lodging facilities. The city is also known for its large and active arts community. In fact, Humboldt County has the distinction of having more artists per capita than any other of the state’s 58 counties. Eureka is a busy seaport with a large fishing fleet. A variety of activities can be found in and around the waters of Humboldt Bay, including kayaking, fishing and even spotting a harbor seal or two. There are harbor tours aboard the M.V. Madaket, and the Woodley Island Marina is a great spot to enjoy a panoramic view of the waterfront.

Seven miles north of Eureka is Arcata, home to Humboldt State University. Arcata is also known for its unique marsh and wildlife area that serves as a natural sewage treatment filtration system. East of Arcata, along Hwy 299 and Hwy 96 are sunny Willow Creek and Hoopa, known for recreation along the Trinity and Klamath Rivers and their tributaries. Back along Hwy 101 the town of McKinleyville serves as the home of the Arcata-Eureka Airport, the county’s only commercial airport. In northern Humboldt County are the coastal jewels of Trinidad, which overlooks a beautiful sheltered harbor, and Orick, the gateway to Redwood National Park.

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