About Eureka
Families gather in Eureka, California, to explore some of the most glorious natural landscapes on the planet.
You'll have easy access to stunning redwood forests and miles of blue Humboldt Bay coastline, plus Eureka's own charming Old Town for shopping and dining in the evening. There is something for everyone in this small town and it’ll leave you saying, “Eureka!” after having discovered something for every member of your crew to enjoy.
Magnificent Scenery and Quaint Shops
Eureka is smack in the middle of the last, best stands of amazing coastal redwoods, with world-famous parks in either direction along Highway 101. Whether you hike through or just picnic beneath their mighty trunks, you'll get more than enough awe to fill up your heart. Find other family-fun activities on the water—you can sail, kayak, canoe, fish or dig for clams within a few miles of downtown. Be sure to make time to explore Old Town on the waterfront, with its Victorian homes, quaint little shops and excellent family restaurants.
Soft Fog and Cool Weather
Your family will enjoy Eureka's cool, moderate temperature range, perfect for hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. This is redwood country, so expect a veil of cooling-fog mornings and evenings, year-round. Thanks to the proximity of the vast Pacific Ocean, you'd be hard pressed to find a more stable climate than that around Humboldt Bay. Temperatures vary only 10 degrees from summer to winter. July afternoons are warm, not hot, while January days are cool, not cold. That being said, if you're coming in winter, bring a raincoat.
Getting Around the Area
Eureka is an urban center in Northern California, but it's still a small town with less than 30,000 people. You may see city buses from the Eureka Transport System huffing and puffing by fairly often, but you'll want a car here to transport your family from city pleasures to outlying parks. The Eureka-Arcata Airport offers a choice of several top automobile rental companies, and you'll find a few more downtown. Only one Greyhound bus daily connects this area to the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, and it's a very long ride.
Fishing Port and Lumber City
As the biggest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland, Eureka serves as the regional center for both government and trade. A major commercial fishing port, Eureka is also the headquarters of the Six Rivers National Forest and the Redwoods State and National parks, jointly managed by the state and federal government. For years, the city played a leading role in the redwood lumber trade, and lumber is still one of the region's most important industries.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Eureka.
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Eureka’s Best Restaurants
Kick off your exploration of Eureka with all the classics that have put it on the culinary map.