EXPLORE
HUMBOLDT
Things to Do in Eureka & on the Redwood Coast
Rarely a day goes by in Eureka, California where one isn't enticed to get out and explore.
Being the largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland, Eureka draws artists, musicians, and outdoor enthusiasts alike — creating a culture of creativity, community, and inspiration unique to the Redwood Coast. Whether you're here for the world-famous Kinetic Sculpture Race, Arts Alive, the
Oyster Festival, or one of the many local music festivals, there's always something happening.
And if crowds aren't your thing, the surrounding wilderness more than makes up for it —
kayak or cruise Humboldt Bay, hike or bike through ancient redwood forests, or venture out to
the vast beaches, dunes, and wetlands to find the solitude you've been searching for.
When you're ready to eat, our handpicked dining guide covers the best restaurants and bars in
Eureka and along the North Coast.
Not sure where to start? We've put together a handpicked three-day itinerary
for first-time visitors — scroll down or jump straight to it below.
EXPLORE OLD TOWN EUREKA
The largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland, Eureka is unlike anywhere else in California. A working port city with a Victorian soul — home to hundreds of significant historic homes, a nationally recognized Old Town Historic District, and one of the most vibrant arts scenes on the West Coast. The entire city is a California State Historic Landmark, and the stunning Carson Mansion is among the most photographed Victorian homes in the country.
Right outside our front door, Old Town Eureka delivers everything within walking distance — craft beer, hyper-local restaurants, kayak rentals, a sunset cruise aboard the historic Madaket ferry, and shops run by passionate, homegrown business owners. All of it framed by extraordinary Victorian architecture and giant colorful murals. For guests of the Inn at 2nd & C, this is your backyard.
Visit Eureka Website | City of Eureka Website
REDWOOD NATIONAL
& STATE PARKS
Along California's northwestern edge, an extraordinary network of parks protects nearly half of the world's remaining coast redwoods — the tallest living things on earth, reaching over 350 feet into the sky. Wander beneath these ancient giants and you'll understand immediately why people travel from around the world to stand among them.
Three state parks — Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods — work together with Redwood National Park to protect this irreplaceable landscape. Roosevelt elk graze in open prairies, wild beaches are scattered with driftwood, and clear rivers wind toward the Pacific. Whether you're hiking a cathedral grove, wading a river, or simply sitting in the quiet, this is one of the most humbling natural experiences in North America.
EXPLORE THE BEACHES
& LOST COAST
Humboldt County's coastline is wild, remote, and unlike the manicured beaches of Southern California. Miles of undeveloped shoreline invite exploration at your own pace — from a leisurely picnic on the picturesque beaches of Trinidad to a serious backpacking adventure along the legendary Lost Coast, one of the most remote coastal trails in the continental United States. Come for the solitude, the driftwood, the sea stacks, and the sunsets.
SEQUOIA PARK ZOO
& THE REDWOOD SKYWALK
Eureka's Sequoia Park Zoo is one of California's best kept secrets — a community-owned zoo set within a 60-acre grove of mature old-growth coast redwoods. Home to around 200 vertebrates representing 54 species across 7 acres, the zoo sits alongside Eureka's largest public playground, a duck pond, and beautifully maintained formal gardens.
But the real showstopper is the Redwood Skywalk — an aerial adventure park soaring through the redwood canopy that was voted the #1 Aerial Adventure Park in the United States by USA Today readers in the 2023 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. An unforgettable experience for adventurers of all ages, and reason alone to plan an afternoon at the park.
The zoo is open daily from 10am-6pm.
GODWIT DAYS SPRING
BIRDING FESTIVAL
Every April, Humboldt County becomes one of the premier birdwatching destinations in North America as the spring migration reaches its peak. Godwit Days celebrates this spectacular seasonal event with guided field trips, expert-led tours, and opportunities to spot rare and exotic species including the Marbled Murrelet, Spotted Owl, and Snowy Plover — alongside shorebirds, waterfowl, and land birds in extraordinary numbers.
For birding enthusiasts, this is a bucket-list event. For the curious traveler, it's a genuinely surprising and memorable window into Humboldt's remarkable natural world.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
The best way to experience Humboldt is slowly — this is not a destination you rush through. We recommend building in at least two to three days to do it justice, and our team is always happy to help you put together an itinerary tailored to exactly what you're looking for.
Whether you're chasing redwoods, wild beaches, local food, live music, or all of the above — you've chosen the right home base. The Historic Eagle House puts you at the center of everything Old Town Eureka has to offer, with the rest of Humboldt County just a short drive away.
When you're ready to eat, our handpicked dining guide covers the best restaurants and bars in Eureka and along the North Coast.