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Best Things to Do in Eureka, California

Filled to the brim with cultural charms and outdoor activities, Eureka, California is a superb place to visit. An array of stores, art galleries, and museums can be found in the town, as well as several popular attractions such as Fort Humboldt State Historical Park. So when there’s so much to do and see, it can be tough to know where best to spend your days for a first time visitor. Well, you need not worry. We’ve put together a list of the fourteen best things to do in Eureka, California. So sit back and relax. All you need to do is book your ticket, and head on over to the beautiful Eureka.

The Humboldt Bay Tourism Center

At number one on our list is The Humboldt Bay Tourism Center. This modern center offers visitors a wealth of information on all that Eureka and the surrounding region has to offer. Get a literal taste of Eureka with the all-local tasting room with beers, wines, ciders, and kombucha, accompanied by local hand- crafted cheeses, meats, bread, and desserts.

A curated selection of tours and adventures are available for visitors. These unique exploits range from horse-drawn carriage rides to sunset kayaking and river-rafting trips. Every Sunday local artists, farmers, chefs, and brewers gather to showcase their works in a tremendous and quaint selection of wine and cheese tastings, art classes, and slideshows.

The Lost Coast Brewery & Café

The Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe is at number two on our list. Owned by Master Brewer Barbara Groom, the Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe has been producing craft brews and traditional ales for over 25 years. As the 43rd largest craft brewery in the United States, it possesses a 90,000-barrel capacity and exports its brews around the world.

Seasonal ales and special beers, such as Alleycat Amber, Downtown Brown, and Fogcutter Double IPA are available for visitors to sample. And don’t forget to enjoy a light meal at the café, which features delicious pub-style food such as sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, and quesadillas.

The Morris Graves Museum of Art

At number three on our list of the fourteen best things to do in Eureka, California, the Morris Graves Museum of Art. This museum is located in the Eureka Carnegie Library Building in the heart of Eureka. It’s named after painter and founder of the Northwest School of Art in the Pacific Northwest.

The Morris Graves Museum of Art houses seven galleries which showcases a range of collections presenting the arts and artists of the Pacific Northwest. These include William Anderson, Glen Berry, Max Butler and Charlie Brown. Some of Morris Graves’ own work is also featured. The Museum also houses a stunning Courtyard Sculpture Garden. Here, patrons can relax in a shady and peaceful surrounding. 

Old Town Eureka

Old Town Eureka is number four on our list. Listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places, Old Town Eureka is Home to more than 100 Victorian buildings, and is one of the most well-preserved commercial districts in the West. Old Town Eureka is packed with a wide variety of things to do and see. Art galleries and antique stores, all the way to museums, and coffee shops. It has it all. When you come for a visit, don’t forget to check out the unique boutiques, bookstores, and one-of-a-kind shops.

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Fort Humboldt State Historic Park

Situated on a high cliff overlooking Humboldt Bay, Fort Humboldt State Historic Park is number five on our list. Fort Humboldt State Historic Park features the remote military post of Fort Humboldt and a historic logging Museum, which includes several outdoor displays. Fort Humboldt was abandoned in 1870. Today it stands as a historical museum dedicated to telling the story of the Fort and the Native American people, including the Hoopa, Wiyot, and Yurok of this region.

Blue Ox Millworks Historic Park

At number six, Blue Ox Millworks Historic Park. This living history park features a fully functioning sawmill and Victorian job shop. It produces architectural millwork, and a variety of other design details for historic homes. At the Park is a Blacksmith’s shop, ceramics studio, working print shop and a re-creation of a logging skid camp. Come on by to take advantage of the unique workshops in woodworking, boat building and other artisan trades from the Victorian era. Visitors and history buffs can enjoy a journey back in time as they stroll through this busy Victorian-era park.

The Redwood Highway

The Redwood Highway is at number seven on our list. This stunning scenic drive along the coast of California is named after the magnificent California coast redwood trees that can be found all along the route. The Redwood Highway, also known as Highway 101, travels the coastline to the Oregon border. It features numerous state parks, including Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Smithe Redwoods State Reserve, and Azalea State Reserve. Needless to say, the many breathtaking views make it a must do experience when visiting Eureka.

The Clarke Historical Museum

The Clarke Historical Museum is dedicated to showcasing the rich history of Humboldt County and is number eight on our list. Founded by Cecile Clarke, a teacher at the local high school, subjects that are represented at the Clarke Historical Museum range from the gold rush settlements and logging industry to the vibrant Native American cultures that called the region home. The Museum has an array of superb exhibits, displays and interactive programs that offer visitors and history buffs alike, the opportunity to explore the history of the region.

Cafe Nooner

At number nine on our list of the fourteen best things to do in Eureka, California, Cafe Nooner is a delightful place to stop by and eat. It was even featured on Food Network’s popular show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives for its fresh Creole-Mediterranean fusion fare. The delicious food always hits the best possible standards as it’s prepared with organic, locally-sourced ingredients, to give customers the true taste of Eureka.

While there’s Creole-style kebab plates, Greek-style burgers, and grilled flatbreads, vegetarians and vegans need not worry. There are options to suit diners with all kinds of dietary needs.

The Carson Mansion

One of the best examples of American Queen Anne style architecture, The Carson Mansion is at number ten on our list. Designed by Samuel and Joseph Newsom and built in 1884, it was originally the home of lumber baron, William Carson. The large Victorian house is one of the most documented Victorian houses in California. Images of the mansion are used on posters, paintings, and book covers across the world. This even includes the clock tower of the train station at Disneyland.

The Headwaters Forest Reserve

At number eleven on our list is The Headwaters Forest Reserve. This 7,472-acre area of protected old-growth redwood groves is situated along the northern Californian coast near Humboldt. It was established in 1999 in order to protect the world’s only remaining intact, old-growth redwood forest ecosystem. Because of this, the importance of the Headwaters Forest Reserve cannot be overstated.

It is even home to a variety of threatened and endangered wildlife species, including the northern spotted owl, the coho salmon, and the marbled murrelet. There are two public hiking trails in the Reserve. The Elk River Trail and the Salmon Pass Trail. Both trails wind through the old-growth redwood forest, but the Salmon Pass Trail can only be explored by a guided tour. With a guide you will witness a unique look at the ecology of the ancient redwood forest.

The Humboldt Botanical Garden

The Humboldt Botanical Garden was established in 1991 as a means of preserving, inspiring and educating the public about local fauna and flora in the region. It is number twelve on our list. Located south of Eureka near Humboldt Bay, The Humboldt Botanical Garden spans more than 18 hectares of terrain. The garden first opened to the public in 2006 and is home to a variety of species from the Humboldt region, as well as plants from the Rogue River area and San Francisco Bay region.

Iris’, conifers, and Western Lilies are all part of the special collections that are displayed in the garden. The Botanical Garden also provides a range of educational programs and workshops for children and students, including summer camps and classes.

Sequoia Park Forest & Garden

At number thirteen on our list of the fourteen best things to do in Eureka, California, Sequoia Park Forest & Garden. A 67-acre park that’s a pure delight, featuring a network of trails for walking, hiking and biking. These trails wind through the redwood forest and past meadows and small creeks. The Sequoia Park Garden boasts a stunning collection of flowers and shrubbery, including dahlias, an old-world wishing well and a shaded seating area with a gazebo.

The Lost Coast Trail

Last but certainly not least on our list is The Lost Coast Trail. A National Recreation Trail that’s one of California’s premier coastal backpacking trails. This is due to its magnificent landscapes where land meets the sea. It’s divided into two sections, the northern and southern sections, both of which offer very different experiences. The north is relatively flat with sand, pebbles and boulders, while the southern heads through Sinkyone Wilderness State Park.

What’s your favorite place to visit in Eureka, California? Is it on our list?

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