Redwood Coast Fact Sheet

Humboldt County boasts a scenic 110-mile coastline, more than 160,000 acres of majestic redwoods and an unspoiled terrain of valleys and rolling hills.  

Visitors of all ages can enjoy some of the nation's finest hiking and boating as well as rafting, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, golfing and other sports for outdoor enthusiasts. 

In addition, Humboldt County turns back the clock with its rich Victorian architecture, history and antique shops. Truly a treasure, Humboldt County is a land of visual splendor.

LOCATION—Bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean, Humboldt County is 200 miles north of San Francisco. Eureka, the county seat, is 284 miles north of San Francisco and 466 miles south of Portland, OR.

POPULATION—132,000. 57,000 people live in seven incorporated cities, the remaining reside in the counties rural communities and countryside.

LAND MASS—2.3 million acres, 3.572 square miles - 80% of which is timberland and recreation areas. The county is mostly mountainous except of the area which surrounds Humboldt Bay.

CLIMATE—Average temperature along the coast in January is 47 degrees; in July it is 56 degrees. Inland temperatures average 85 degrees. Rainfall in Eureka averages 38 inches a year, while on the Lost Coast the rainfall often exceeds 100 inches. Seasonal chart.

FOUNDED—Humboldt Bay's re-discovery and the County's founding is attributed to Dr. Josiah Gregg and his companions, who traveled west on foot from the Trinity Gold Fields in 1849. The re-discovery of the Humboldt Bay entrance is credited to H.H. Buhne, who piloted a small boat through the Bay entrance and landed on the shores in 1850. Link to Heritage Trails Brochure

LODGING—3,000+ rooms in a variety of resorts, hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts are available in the County, including such National Historic Landmark properties as the Benbow Inn an English Tudor style and built in the 1920s. A myriad of economical family motels, RV Parks, campgrounds, ranches and cabins also are available. Find Lodging

RESTAURANTS—A wide selection of approximately 200 eateries, ranging from small cafes with ocean views serving fresh from the ocean delicacies and restaurants serving ethnic dishes, to lumber company cookhouses, as well as delis and drive-ins. Find Restaurants

KEY ATTRACTIONS:

MAP OF 25 BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO

REDWOOD NATIONAL & STATE PARKS
Visitors are invited to walk, HikeBike Ride, Camp & Horseback Ride, when they visit Redwood National Park. Over 200 miles of trails weave through a variety of environments, including prairies, old-growth redwood forests, and beaches.

AVENUE OF THE GIANTS & THE DRIVE THRU TREE —Weott. This world famous, 33 mile scenic route winds through Humboldt Redwoods State Park's 51,143 acres. Visit the Interpretive Center, see a twenty-foot room carved from a single tree and drive through a living redwood. 

CLARKE MEMORIAL MUSEUM— Eureka. The Clarke Museum, located in the historic Bank of Eureka building, boasts one of the finest collections of Native American basketry in the world and features artifacts and historical photographs of the Humboldt County area.

FERNDALE STATE HISTORIC LANDMARK — Ferndale. An historic and architecturally authentic Victorian Village. Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour of restored Victorian buildings constructed in the mid to late 1800s. This is an active community where dairy farmers and artists coexist amid the charm of a historic town. Warner Bros. filmed Outbreak, starring Dustin Hoffman, in this picture-perfect town. 

FORT HUMBOLDT MUSEUM AND STATE HISTORICAL PARK— Eureka. Established in 1853 as the northernmost military post on the coast and headed by General Ulysses S. Grant, features a museum with a extensive collection of Indian artifacts and military and pioneer paraphernalia. Monthly “Steam-ups” of two period train engines in the summer months. 707-445-6567.

FORTUNA DEPOT MUSEUM— Fortuna. This museum, located in a historic railroad depot built in 1893, offers visitors a chance to view antique train, fishing and logging memorabilia. 707-725-7645.

HOOPA TRIBAL MUSEUM— Hoopa. Redwood dugout canoes, tools and ceremonial regalia are just a few of the examples of Native American artifacts visitors will see on a tour of the museum. In addition, optional tours visit ceremonial grounds, Native American villages and the ruins of Fort Gaston, built in 1858. 530-625-4110.

MADAKET CRUISE - Eureka. Take a 45-minute cruise on Humboldt Bay aboard the Madaket, a 1910 passenger ferry. The Madaket is the oldest passenger-carrying vessel in continuous service in the US. Historic narrative, cocktail and brunch cruises are available. 707-445-1910

HUMBOLDT BAY MARITIME MUSEUM— Eureka/Samoa. The maritime museum features a selection of county maritime artifacts and historical information about shipwrecks, lumber schooners, shipyards and fishing boats.  In its new location on Cookhouse Rd in Samoa.  707-444-9440.

ARCATA MARSH & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY—Arcata. Take a guided nature walk (Saturdays only) to watch and photograph birds, or you can explore on your own any time. Visit the Interpretive Center to learn the history of this sanctuary. 707-826-2359

MURAL TOUR— Eureka. This self-guided walking tour spotlights magnificent murals painted on the sides of buildings. Renowned local artist Duane Flatmo has painted many of these, some humorous and some depicting historical views of the area. 707-443-5097

SAMOA COOKHOUSE— Samoa. Founded in 1885, this is the last logging camp cookhouse in the western United States still serving "family style" meals. An adjacent museum features historical logging and lumber camp cookhouse artifacts. 707-442-1659.

SUMEG VILLAGE— Sue-Meg State Park, Trinidad Sumeg Village was created in 1990 to preserve and carry on the traditions of the Yurok tribe and provide education for future generations. This village is actively used by the Yurok people and neighboring tribes today. A self-guided walking tour allows you to explore replicas of the family homes and sweat houses. 707-677-3570.

BLUE OX MILLWORKS— Eureka. Visitors can watch skilled craftsmen use vintage antique machinery to create the elegant wooden "gingerbread" details found on Victorian architecture. Casual attire is recommended for this one hour self-guided tour through the Blue Ox Millworks. 707-444-3437.
 

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