If you’re taking a trip to Eureka, CA, you’re in for a treat. Eureka is a historic coastal town in northern California that sits amongst the Redwoods next to the Pacific. You’ve come to the right place if you want the best things to do in Eureka.
Eureka is a hidden gem in Northern California. Situated in beautiful Humboldt County, its combination of Victorian architecture, giant Redwood trees, and rugged Pacific coast makes it a mystical destination.
I lived in Eureka for almost a year, working travel healthcare jobs at the town’s primary medical center. During that time, I explored Eureka and much of Humboldt County.
Humboldt County is one of my favorite places that I have visited for an extended time. I try to get back there when possible.
Eureka has a very secluded, off-the-grid beauty.
While I lived there, I often was the only person on the trails, found ample parking, and did not deal with traffic—a stark contrast to much of California.
You feel far away from the rest of California in Eureka. And for good reasons, it’s not the most accessible place.
Let’s talk about it and then discuss the best things to do in Eureka, CA.
How to Get to Eureka, CA
Eureka is a more secluded destination in California and a bit challenging to travel to.
Eureka sits 4.5 hours north of San Francisco on the 101. The 101 is a smaller, more narrow, and curvy road than the i5, which makes the trek to and from the Bay Area feel more rugged than taking a major freeway.
To Eureka’s north is Medford, Oregon. You can reach Medford in around four hours.
The closest airport to Eureka is in Arcata, about 20 minutes from downtown. The Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) has regional service only and frequently grounds flights due to fog.
The limited flight options and inconsistent flight departures due to weather make the airport unreliable for getting to Eureka. I recommend driving.
You will also need a car to get around town; public transportation is limited and runs infrequently through Eureka. While there is an Uber/Lyft service, there are few drivers.
Therefore, if you can drive to Eureka, that’s your best option for transportation.
What To Pack for a Eureka, CA Trip?
Eureka is exceptionally casual. If you’re familiar with the Bay Area of California, it’s even more casual than the bay.
The weather is also a steady 50-65 degrees during the day, making it a cooler location.
For basics, I would bring:
- Comfortable pants
- Long sleeve shirts
- Short sleeve shirts to layer
- At least one heavier sweater or sweatshirt
- A windbreaker/rain jacket
- Wool socks
- Hat/gloves/scarf, especially if visiting in the cooler months. Although, I wore gloves some mornings, even in the summer
- Sturdy walking shoes like a sneaker or hiking boot
- Water-resistant shoes if you’re walking Fern Canyon
- Hiking poles if wanted
- Water bottle and day pack for your adventures
Is Eureka, CA Dog-Friendly?
Yes, Eureka, CA, is very dog-friendly. I lived there with my dog, and we had many adventures together. His favorite thing to do was swim and romp in King Salmon Beach.
Many of the things I mention on this list are dog-friendly, and I’ll discuss that below.
When To Visit Eureka, CA?
Eureka, CA, sits in a microclimate that doesn’t change significantly during the year.
It’s never too hot or cold in Eureka—the type of place you want to wear layers when you visit.
If you want to avoid the extreme summer heat, Eureka is the perfect place to visit in the summer, as it never gets hotter than 65 degrees.
The wet season is from November to April. During this time of the year, temperatures range between the mid-40s and mid-50s. There tends to be an average of 10-13 days of rain a month.
During the dry season, from May to October, temperatures range from the low-50s to mid-60s.
Again, Eureka always stays cool and never gets too hot.
If you’re trying to escape the hot temperatures at home, the best time to visit Eureka is spring or summer. It will be a breath of fresh, cool air.
The Best Things to Do In Eureka, CA
Let’s get into the best things to do in Eureka, CA. At the end of this list, I’ll also share some places close to Eureka that you may want to check out on your Humboldt County adventure.
Go To Humboldt Bay Social Club in Samoa
Located right outside of Eureka on Samoa Island, Humboldt Bay Social Club is a vibe you need to experience.
Humboldt Bay is a restaurant, hotel, lounge, bar, outdoor fire pit, and even an airfield. Yes, I saw Cessna planes land next to the parking lot.
If you are spending the night in Eureka, I recommend staying here at their hotel.
Whether you stay there or not, go for a meal or a drink.
Outdoors, there are games and firepits, and often ad hoc musical performances.
Kiddos and dogs are welcome outside, so bring the whole family for a fun night.
Sequoia Park
Sequoia Park is a beautiful 60-acre Redwood tree park in the middle of Eureka.
The park has several miles of trail circling the park, a duck pond, creeks, playgrounds for children, and some picnic meadows.
You quickly feel like you’re in the middle of a big, secluded forest instead of a bustling town.
The Sequoia Loop is a great and easy paved trail to hike through the park.
This trail is dog-friendly for dogs on a leash, so bring your pup!
Walk The Redwood Sky Walk at The Zoo
Next to Sequoia Park is the Sequoia Park Zoo.
I’ll be honest: I’m not a “zoo person.” I don’t enjoy watching animals in captivity, and a zoo isn’t a place I would typically visit.
However, I did go to the Sequoia Park Zoo and recommend that you also go to experience the Redwood Sky Walk.
The Redwood Sky Walk is a series of roped bridges hanging 100 feet high in the redwood trees you walk across.
I went through the ropes course two times, it was that much fun.
The Sky Walk is an impeccable experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. And you can visit the rest of the zoo too.
Visit Historic Old Town
Old Eureka has a distinct Victorian architecture that feels reminiscent of a time gone by.
The Old Town District runs from A to I streets from the Waterfront to Eighth Street.
This is the only area of Eureka where you may have to drive around to find parking, but there is street and public parking.
Stroll through town, go in and out of shops, and grab a bite.
While in Old Town, you can stroll the Eureka boardwalk, which sits right on the waterfront.
Unique Places to Visit in Old Town Eureka, CA:
- Humboldt Bay Provisions for fresh oysters, wine, and charcuterie
- Little Shop of Hers for vintage clothing
- Jack’s Seafood for fresh seafood
- Living the Dream Ice Cream for a cold treat
- Kenny’s Chocolates
- Phatsy Kline’s for a craft cocktail
- The Speakeasy for a drink and live music
- The Humboldt Mercantile for a souvenir
Carson Mansion & The Pink Lady
The best examples of Victorian architecture in Eureka are seen in Old Town.
The Queen Anne-style Carson Mansion and The Pink Lady can be viewed from afar.
Both are privately owned and not open to the public, but you can walk by and look at them from the sidewalk.
King Salmon Beach
King Salmon Beach is a family-friendly, dog-friendly beach on the south end of Eureka.
PLACE TO STAY: When I lived in Eureka, I stayed in King Salmon. I highly recommend the cozy home I stayed in, which is on Furnished Finder here. The host, Suzan, is extremely friendly and welcoming. She’ll make sure you have everything you need to have a wonderful stay.
While the weather never really gets sunny enough to dip in the water, this is a great beach to enjoy a day on the sand, have a picnic, or let your dog splash in the water.
There’s about a mile of trail between the beach’s sand dunes and the road. I lived in the King Salmon neighborhood and walked those beach trails hundreds of times.
Go at sunset for some epic sunset views over the ocean.
You can also grab an infamous crab sandwich at Gill’s By The Bay. This restaurant in King Salmon sits on the ocean at the beach’s edge. It’s a popular spot, especially on the weekends.
Lost Coast Brewery
Eureka’s hometown award-winning brewery, Lost Coast Brewery, has a brewery in town that you can tour.
There’s also a brew house in Old Town if you only want to sample some ale and get food without going to the brewery.
Additional Things To Do Near Eureka, CA
Eureka is a short distance from some other iconic Northern California gems. If you’re looking for more things to do in Eureka, CA, you may want to branch out into more of beautiful Humboldt County.
Visit Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Drive an hour north of Eureka, and you’ll find an exceptional forest of Redwood Trees at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
The most popular and stunning trail is Fern Canyon. This one-mile trail traverses the Home Creek through a moss-covered canyon.
If the views remind you of Jurassic Park, it’s because this was a filming location for the movie! As I walked through the canyon, I pictured the dinosaurs moving through it.
Bring your waterproof shoes because you will be crossing many creeks.
You also need a permit to hike the trail between May 15th and September 15th.
If you cannot get a permit to hike Fern Canyon or have more time to spend at Prairie Creek, the Big Tree Via Karl Knapp and Cathedral Trees Loop is another great hike through the park.
Dogs ARE NOT allowed on any of the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park trails.
Hike The Coast in Trinidad
Trinidad is a coastal town about 30 minutes away from Eureka. Trinidad is a fun, beachy town with cute shops and restaurants to walk around.
The Trinidad Head trail is an easily accessible 1.7-mile hike.
There are plenty of parking and paved trails with amazing coast views at this stop.
Dogs are welcome on leash.
Stroll Historic Ferndale
Ferndale, a town 30 minutes south of Eureka, has a historic downtown filled with Victorian architecture, bed and breakfasts, and cute shops and restaurants.
Ferndale is a cute town where you can spend the night or walk the main street and wander into old-time mercantile shops.
Best Things to Do In Eureka, CA Recap
Eureka, CA, is a charming coastal town nestled between the ocean and the Redwoods in Northern California. It’s a great weekend getaway from the city or an excellent stop on a coastal road trip.
I hope that you enjoy Eureka and Humboldt County as much as I did while I was there.
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