Towns of Humboldt County

Use this page to navigate around the county and choose your base of operations.

Orick—North Coast/Redwood National Park
Trinidad—North Coast/Coastal
Willow Creek—East County/Rivers & Mountains
McKinleyville—North Central County
Blue Lake—Central County
Arcata—Central County
Eureka—Central County
Loleta--South Central/Humboldt Wildllife Refuge
Ferndale—Eel River Valley/The Lost Coast
Fortuna---South Central
Rio Dell & Scotia—South Central/Eel River Valley
Garberville—South County/Redwoods
Shelter Cove— South County/The Lost Coast


Orick: Gateway to Redwood National Park Located on Hwy 101 about 40 miles north of Eureka. Jumping-off point for Redwood National Park attractions including Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Fern Canyon*, Newton Drury Scenic Parkway, Bald Hills Road, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Elk Meadow & Trillium Falls, Lost Man Creek, Redwood Creek and more. Visitor information at the Thomas Kuchel Information Center, Hwy 101, one mile south. Overnight lodging including motels, B&Bs, RV parks and vacation rental cabins. Picnic supplies, gasoline and unique redwood burl & chainsaw sculpture artwork.
Orick Chamber of Commerce

*Due to the volume of visitors, California State Parks / National Park Service will require Day Use Permits to access to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon. Reservations will be required May 15th to September 15th. Reservations are not required September 16th to May 14th. Visitors are still required to pay the day-use fee.   Apply for a Permit: https://www.redwoodparksconservancy.org/permits/fern-canyon-permits


Trinidad: A Seaside Retreat Located on Hwy 101, about 20 miles north of Eureka, set amid miles of beaches and stunning coastline, Trinidad is a picturesque fishing village. A convenient base for touring Redwood National Park, Sue-Meg State Park and the beaches, trails and lagoons of northern Humboldt County. Attractions: Trinidad Head (hiking trails and views), Trinidad State Beach, Telonicher Marine Lab, Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse, Trinidad Pier, fishing charters and Cher-Ae-Heights Casino.  Chamber of Commerce visitor information kiosk near Post Office & Murphy's Market. Overnight lodging includes B&Bs, numerous vacation home rentals, and many RV parks and cabins along Patrick’s Point Drive. Groceries and dining in town.
Trinidad Chamber of Commerce 
City of Trinidad


Willow Creek: River Fun & Mountain Sun Located on the Trinity River, at the junction of Hwys 299 and 96 about one hour east of Hwy 101, Willow Creek is the gateway to Six Rivers National Forest. Headquarters for Trinity River fishing, whitewater rafting and backcountry touring. Attractions: China Flat/Bigfoot Museum, wineries, golf and farm stands. Chamber of Commerce visitor center at Hwy 299 and Hwy 96. Overnight lodging includes motels and vacation cabins. Groceries, supplies, guides and equipment rentals available in town.
Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce


McKinleyville: Rural Charm with Modern Convenience Located just off Hwy 101, ten miles north of Eureka. Location of the Eureka-Arcata airport (ACV) with connections to Sacramento, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. Attractions: Clam Beach, Azalea Reserve, Hiller Park and a large portion of the Hammond Trail (coastal walking, biking and equestrian trail). Excellent services including grocery shopping, restaurants, hardware and K-Mart. Lodging at airport (Holiday Inn Express), dining on Central Avenue.
McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce


 Blue Lake: Sunshine and Sea Air Be entertained by many of the year-round productions brought to you by Dell'Arte International. Enjoy the Mad River Festival every summer, as Dell'Arte students, alums, staff and friends seriously clown.    Stop in at the Blue Lake Casino (gaming, music, buffet lunch & dinner) with its new hotel. Go the Mad River Brewing Co. to sample some award winning brews in their sunny beer garden. Get away from it all and relax for a couple of days at the Chumayo Spa.
Blue Lake Chamber of Commerce 
City of Blue Lake


Arcata: For the Young at Heart Located at the northern end of Humboldt Bay, near the junction of Hwys 101 and 299. Convenient location for touring Redwood National Park and northern & eastern Humboldt County. California Welcome Center (Hwy. 101, Giuntoli exit) with regional visitor information. Attractions: Arcata Plaza, Natural History Museum, Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, Arcata Community Forest and Farmers Market. Home of Cal Poly Humboldt and Humboldt Crabs Baseball. Hotels, motels, B&Bs, vacation rentals and dining. Coffee houses & bookshops at plaza.
Arcata Chamber of Commerce

Arcata Main Street
City of Arcata


Eureka: The Victorian Seaport Centrally located on Humboldt Bay, less than one hour from Redwood National Park, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Six Rivers National Forest and most of Humboldt County. Eureka is an “open air museum” of Victorian architecture, with hundreds of beautifully preserved and restored residential and commercial buildings. Old Town Eureka is a National Register Historic District with shops, restaurants, galleries and museums. The Eureka Boardwalk has views of fishing boats and wildlife. Attractions: Fort Humboldt State Historic Park, Morris Graves Museum of Art, Carson Mansion, Sequoia Park & Zoo, Blue Ox Millworks and Samoa Cookhouse Chamber of Commerce visitor center at 2112 S. Broadway (Hwy 101) at Hawthorne. Hotels, motels, B&Bs, vacation rentals and excellent dining, especially in Old Town.
Eureka Visitor Center
Eureka Chamber of Commerce 
Eureka Main Street   
City of Eureka on Humboldt Bay    


Loleta:  Lo Le Tah are three Wiyot Indian words meaning  "A pleasant place at the end of the water." Loleta has one of the most scenic vistas of the lower Eel River Valley. You can view dairy farms, livestock ranches, and the Pacific Ocean. It is also home to the former Bank of Loleta building (358 Main Street), which was added to the California Historic Buildings list in 1985. Attractions: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge & the Eel River Wildlife Area, Table Bluff and Crab Park offering hiking, bird watching, and other recreational activities.  
Loleta Chamber of Commerce


Ferndale: The Victorian Village or “Cream City”  Located in the farmland of the Eel River Delta, five miles from Hwy 101. A charming, historic town, where a visit is like taking a step back in time. Northern gateway to the Lost Coast; local beaches and country roads & farms. Attractions: Ferndale Museum, Ferndale Cemetery, Fern Cottage and Humboldt County Fairgrounds. Visitor information in the Ferndale Art & Cultural Center, 580 Main Street. Bed & Breakfast inns, fine dining and wonderful shopping on Main Street Ferndale. Ferndale Chamber of Commerce


Fortuna: The Friendly City Located on Highway 101 near the junction of Highway 36 (to Red Bluff). 30 minutes north of Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Many good choices for lodging and dining. Also known for great antique shopping. An all-American town with nostalgic Main Street, local events and old time hospitality. A convenient base for touring the Avenue of the Giants and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, and the towns of Ferndale, Loleta, Rio Dell & Scotia. Attractions: Fortuna Depot Museum, Rohner Park, Riverlodge Conference Center with heather garden and the Eel River trail. Annual Rodeo and Auto Xpo. Chamber of Commerce visitor information at 735 14th Street.
Fortuna Chamber of Commerce
 


Garberville: Gateway to the Redwoods Located on Hwy 101, just north of the county line, Garberville is the gateway to Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Avenue of the Giants and the Lost Coast. Convenient to Richardson Grove State Park, Benbow State Recreation Area, and fishing, swimming, rafting & more on the South Fork of the Eel River. Good shopping for picnic and camping supplies, gasoline, etc. In summer, Garberville has a much warmer climate than that of Humboldt’s coastal towns. Enjoy the Visitor Center at 782 Redwood Drive. Overnight lodging includes several motels and the historic Benbow Inn.
Southern Humboldt Chamber Of Commerce & Visitors Center
Discover Southern Humboldt
Southern Humboldt Business & Visitors Bureau


Rio Dell & Scotia: Timber History Located on Hwy 101, about five miles south of Fortuna. Scotia was an original “company town” built around the redwood sawmills. Rio Dell grew up across the Eel River, and was originally called Wildwood. Attractions: Scotia museum and Scotia Freshwater Aquarium. Lodging at the historic Scotia Inn and the Humboldt Gables motel.
Rio Dell/Scotia Chamber of Commerce


Shelter Cove: Splendid Isolation Located on the rugged Lost Coast, reached by a steep, twisty drive from Garberville/Redway via the Briceland-Shelter Cove Road. An isolated community of scenic splendor, ideally situated for enjoying the solitude and majestic beauty of the Lost Coast. Attractions: Black Sand Beach, Cape Mendocino Lighthouse, Mal Coombs Park, Golf Course and Fishing Charters. Overnight lodging including B&Bs and motels with sweeping views. Dining in town.

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