Eureka

Eureka is a city in Humboldt County, California. With a population of slightly over 25,000, it is the largest coastal city on the West Coast of the United States north of San Francisco and south of Portland and the center of the California North Coast (Redwood Coast). The timber industry gave the town its early wealth. Now, with logging in decline, it retains the charm of that era with older Victorian buildings and the feel of an old-fashioned working town.

Situated on the shores of Humboldt Bay, Eureka provides an urban environment in this rugged corner of California with a quaint but lively city center, thriving arts scene, and variety of shopping and dining options without the hectic rush of other major cities in the state. It also serves as the gateway to Redwood National Park and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which are home to the world's tallest trees.

By car
Most visitors choose to travel to the Redwood Coast by car to enjoy the picturesque scenery.


 * US 101.svg is the primary route through Eureka and the region, linking it with the San Francisco Bay Area to the south and Oregon Coast to the north. Driving time from the Bay Area is four to six hours through the spectacular scenery of Mendocino and Humboldt Counties, including an option to traverse the scenic bypass of the appropriately named Avenue of the Giants (State Route 254) which is surrounded by towering coast redwoods. Driving time from the Oregon border is two hours, with a connection to Portland (about 7 hours) via U.S. Route 199.
 * California 299.svg connects with I-5.svg in Redding (about 3 hours).
 * California 255.svg connects the city with the Samoa Peninsula via the Samoa Bridge and is an alternate scenic (and longer) route to neighboring Arcata.

By plane

 * is served by Skywest Airlines as United Express to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver, and by Avelo to Burbank. The airport is located in the town of McKinleyville, about north of Eureka.  Ground transportation includes the HTA county bus, on-call shuttle, taxi, and car rentals.

By boat
As a port city, Eureka has facilities to dock yachts and other private water vessels, most notably at the Woodley Island Marina.

By bus
Eureka Transit Service (ETS) and Redwood Transit System both run service within town, with the latter linking neighboring towns as well.

By car
Eureka is fairly easy to navigate by car, with most of the city arranged in a grid pattern. In Downtown, numbered streets (1st to 15th Streets) travel in a west-east direction, while lettered streets (A to Y Streets) travel in a north-south direction. U.S. Route 101 also goes through downtown as local streets rather than a freeway, with northbound traffic carried by 5th Street and southbound traffic carried by 4th Street.

Rental car services are available in town and at the Arcata-Eureka Airport.

By foot
Old Town and the waterfront area are compact enough to be navigated on foot, although a car or public transit is recommended for areas outside of downtown.

Stay safe
Due to its small population, Eureka and the surrounding area are very safe with low crime rates. Normal travel safety precautions should be exercised.

Humboldt County is the center of the U.S. marijuana industry and many illegal operations are in the surrounding rural areas. Some are well-guarded and armed. As a result, while it is unlikely a traveler would encounter one, avoid anything that may seem suspicious when outside the Eureka urban area.

When venturing into the surrounding forest areas and wilderness, stay on marked or well-traveled paths and take extra water and maybe a portable charger with you. Due to the dense vegetation, it is easy to become lost or encounter aggressive wildlife and cell phone reception may be spotty or nonexistent.

Go next

 * Arcata - Arcata is a college town immediately to the north of Eureka and home to Humboldt State University. As no chain stores are allowed within city limits, the numerous shops, restaurants, and art galleries are all locally-owned, with most centered around the downtown plaza.
 * Trinidad - A charming beach town about 20 miles north. Numerous rock formations jut out of the surrounding ocean just off the beaches of town, the largest being Trinidad Head which offers hiking trails and views.
 * Redwood National Park - 40 miles north, this national park complex preserves the largest concentration of old-growth coast redwood forest which include the world's tallest trees. Numerous hiking trails and campsites are scattered along turnoffs of Highway 101, which runs through the park. Four visitor centers (of which the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center is closest to Eureka) provide maps, park information, souvenirs, and services.
 * Fort Bragg - A seaside town roughly 130 miles south, Fort Bragg is also another former logging town which offers historic and natural attractions such as the unique Glass Beach and Skunk Train.
 * Ukiah - The other regional center of the North Coast, albeit located inland about 150 miles south of Eureka. Home to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the largest Buddhist temple in the Western Hemisphere and numerous wineries in the vicinity.