Eureka is a historic port city with national forests and state parks on one side and idyllic bays and the North Pacific Ocean on the other. Victorian-era buildings dot the Old Town district, while the vibrant waterfront reveals recreation areas, native wildlife, maritime culture and seafood restaurants.
Things to do in Eureka
Learn about California’s famous redwood trees at Sequoia Park Zoo, which is also home to pandas, monkeys, an aviary and petting zoo. It’s part of the sprawling Sequoia Park, where you can see 24 hectares of redwood forest. Alternatively, check out the Redwood Discovery Museum, a family-friendly attraction with interactive exhibits and educational programs on redwoods.
Explore Eureka’s Victorian-era Old Town District, which is filled with 19th-century buildings, National Historic Landmarks and antique stores. Enjoy a coffee and treat at Old Town Coffee and Chocolates, before seeing old-world artefacts, photographs and personal belongings housed in a circa-1911 bank at the Clarke Historical Museum. It’s a short walk from the Wooden Sculpture Garden, a local favourite known for its intricate wooden carvings.
Do you love exploring the coast? Hang out around Humboldt Bay, which also functions as a coastal lagoon for fishing, collecting oysters and spotting native wildlife, such as seals and birds. Check out the nearby Humboldt Botanical Gardens in the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It has a vibrant butterfly exhibit, along with trails that wind through flower gardens and shady trees.
Shopping holidays are best spent around Eureka’s waterfront, where you can browse through around 70 retail outlets at Bayshore Mall, including T.J. Maxx, Boot Barn and Foot Locker. Stop by Shamus T Bones after shopping to indulge in cocktails and country-style pit-smoked barbecue and burgers.
Getting around Eureka
Eureka is serviced by Arcata-Eureka Airport, multiple state highways and Greyhound long-distance buses. You can catch public buses and taxis around town, walk around the Old Town district or use a private vehicle to explore the surrounding region.