It’s time for some seasonal exuberance that won’t let the rains keep you from enjoying all Humboldt has to offer!
The long nights give you plenty of time to redecorate your snug abode with a painting by your favorite local artist you’ve had your eye on, or a sophisticated mid-century vase in just the right shade of orange. Hanging pictures is hungry work. Take advantage of the fruitful partnerships that sing the mantra of local sustainable Humboldt so you can find your favorite gourmet yummies in the jar or on a sandwich ready to savor. Buying local is no longer a chore but a pleasurable way to keep your hard-earned dollars in Humboldt. Don’t forget to check online for up-to-date hours and ways to stretch those bucks with special perks.
Those greenbacks can go a long way. Load your calendar up with affordable performances while supporting up-and-coming artists. Take the kids out for some big boba fun before you hit the trails. Send the East Coast aunt some pictures of West Coast family fun. From tall trees to long beaches, there is so much to see and do! Got your raincoat handy?
Outdoorsy Types
Nestled in a silver horseshoe bend of the Van Duzen River, Cheatham Grove (14663 CA-36, Carlotta, east of Van Duzen River Bridge) is one of eight redwood groves in Grizzly Creek State Park (16949 CA-36, $8 day use fee). Separated from the main park by 4 miles, Cheatham is a quiet haven, a stand of ancient old growth trees considered so lovely it escaped logging. An easy .7-mile trail loops through the towering redwoods. Got a fishing license? The sparkling Van Duzen beckons. Bridge the generations and show your young Jedi where a certain rebel princess and her brother once sped through the redwoods.
Walk on the wild side. The north spit of Humboldt Bay can kick up a fuss when it wants, and it is the Season of the King. King tide that is! With the winter full moon comes the highest of tides. Even without royal sightings the long beach is perfect for morning walks or sunset strolls. Handy parking is located along New Navy Beach Road from Samoa Power Pole Beach to the jetty where you can watch the waves force themselves through the narrow chute to Humboldt Bay. Or hang out on the bayside and see if you can catch a glimpse of harbor seals. Like all wild things, it is not a good idea to turn your back on the ocean even if moody monarchs are not involved. A regular serf (I mean surf!) took out part of the T Parking Lot in April. Consider yourself warned.
An out of the way gem is often overlooked, and Mad River Beach and Boat Ramp is such a gem. Tucked away at the north edge of the Arcata flats, the four-mile drive from Guintoli Lane and 101 follows straight farm lanes (read: narrow so use caution) with right angle turns. Take the boat and hit the river. Or sit on the ramp embankment and observe the waterbirds as herons and ducks feed side by side. The sands took over one park access, its post still poking up with a hint of gate, leaving a dune to surmount before you reach miles of flat beach. Or use the dunes to get in your cardio for free. Grab your rods and enjoy surfperch fishing. Four miles north is the mouth of the Mad River, where you can observe sea lions from a respectful distance (make sure your pup is leashed). If so inspired, you can walk 10 plus miles to the north jetty of Humboldt Bay. Major hike or gentle stroll? The choice is yours. The gates lock at sunset so remember that beach time is relative.
Foodies
Not willing to sit still as they distill, Steve and Amy Bohner debuted Alchemy Distillery Pop Ups (330 S G St., Arcata, CA). Builders by day and masters of spirits by night, they labor over the smooth Boldt small batch bourbons and gins. Their clear whiskey is an improvement over your daddy’s mason jar cornmash, so much that it refuses to be discontinued. The distillery is a full production site with a tasting room that is only open to the public for special events. Talented chefs from Humboldt and beyond take over about twice per month, giving you the opportunity to enjoy world cuisine without leaving Humboldt. Tempted by New American or Thai fusion paired with the perfect craft cocktail? Keep your eyes on Alchemy’s social media or newsletter to get the heads up on upcoming special releases or collaborations with local producers like Humboldt Regeneration’s malt vinegar. Need another reason to go? Absinthe fountain. Vive la Belle Epoque!
Honeycomb Coffee (431 First Ave., Blue Lake, CA, (707) 667-6015) makes sure the good people of Blue Lake are not left wanting. Keiko Sugata bakes delicious treats like zucchini muffins and serves them up with smooth blends from local roasters Kinetic Koffee. Honeycomb’s lattes fly out the window (figuratively, not literally!) and the flavored lemonades are not far behind. Get there early to snag a chocolate chip cookie. They sell out quick! Take a stroll around the block to soak in some lovely historic architecture as you sip your frothy delight. Or just sit in the town square across the street. You may need to dip back for another muffin.
If you are on the run, Stu’s Brews Drive-Thru (71 W Fourth St., Eureka, (707) 798-1770) is an easy way to spoil yourself. Stu’s uses local delights to create their offerings. The best-selling Hum Yum Caramel Latte will change your life. Order online to save time. Got the time? Take your order down to the harbor and watch the birds work to catch their meal as you savor Stu’s Cheddar BST with Larrupin mustard sauce. You drooling yet? Maybe your partner will let you have a bite of their chicken and pesto croissant. Or stop by again tomorrow for another cup of Northbound Coffee with the perfect amount of cream and sugar, unless you prefer straight high octane of course. Frequent flyers earn reward points, and if you are lucky, you can be like Jordyn and have a sandwich named in your honor! That’s the one that comes smeared with the perfect spicy heat (gentle enough for us lightweights) of Diane’s Sweet Heat Blackberry Habanero Jam.
Art Lovers
The Linda Mitchell Gallery (425 Snug Alley Unit D, Eureka, (707) 497-9086) may be small but it packs quite a visual wallop. Not her first gallery, but a whim that grew into a way to support the women elders of Humboldt’s arts community. Mitchell features a rotation of talent including Kathy O’Leary, whose breathtaking landscapes will draw you in. Rachel Schlueter’s incredible portraits and Mitchell’s own vibrant paintings inspire the desire to hang them in your own home. Ask Mitchell about her friend, the amazing Frances Boetcher, whose colorful ceramic “Frances Bowl” can stun your senses. One of ceramicist Dana Mitchell’s pieces would make a lovely gift for your refined sister. She deserves it.
Some of us love this season for keeping us at home where we can create our hearts out! Head to the Art Center (823 H St., Arcata, (707) 822-4800) to find the perfect color palette to paint what you see in your inner eye. Purchased by artists Malia Matsumoto and Lush Newton in 2023, the Art Center not only has what you need, but a knowledgeable staff that can answer your questions about encaustic painting. Or papier-mâché. Whatever medium floats your boat, or your kinetic fancies. They know their artsy stuff: their K-HAM team won 1st Art in the flamboyant 2022 Kinetic Sculpture Race. Malia and Lush definitely have the chops (experience, not pork) and the inventory to get your creative juices flowing.
The decorative arts are on full display at 4th Street Mercantile (215 Fourth St., Eureka, (707) 798-1731). Local vendors and creators tempt you with carefully curated collections both antique and new. Are you in need of some vintage cocktail glasses? You will be spoiled for choice. Art connects with us in a most personal way. For some that means seeing the artistry in well-engineered antique tools perfect for hanging in a man cave. Or the early 20th century graphics of a miniature grocery store playset with teeny boxes of cereal that will give your kitchen a sense of whimsy. Everywhere you turn your eye falls on something splendid like uranium glass. Yes, you can collect green glows-under-a-black-light harmless-background-radiation-emitting Geiger-counter-triggering glassware from a simpler time. Beyond cool.
Not Strictly for Tourists
The newly christened CPH Presents (1 Harpst St., Arcata, (707) 826-3928) celebrates its name change with a packed performance calendar. You don’t have to be a Cal Poly student to enjoy campus arts (but if you are there is a discount). The Van Duzer Theater hosts a multitude of acts, from a Grammy-winning mandolinist to the hilarious high culture of the all-male Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Comedians, rap artists, and the innovative Lakecia Benjamin (alto sax) round out the offerings. Performances for children start earlier in the evening because they should be able to enjoy the arts without blowing past their bedtime. More fun, fewer tears. Even a tight budget can squeeze in student performances at Fulkerson Recital Hall. These recitals are crucial for the development of young musicians, singers, and dancers. Jazz orchestra plus wind ensemble equals a good time.
Humboldt’s artisan goodies are not just for the visitors. Pierson’s Holiday Shop (4100 Broadway, Eureka, (707) 441-2700) gives 275-300 local creators the opportunity to sell their work in the store’s Made in Humboldt section. Every year, the storied Garden Center becomes the place where you can find future family heirlooms like a stunning bowl made from Humboldt’s fabulous redwood, or a lovely piece of thrown pottery. Some treasures come in a jar and are gone with a lick of your lips. The themed trees like the German nutcracker are fabulous, but the pet tree will bring out your inner child. Start a new family tradition by celebrating that first grandbaby with a special Austrian handblown glass ornament. The only thing missing is a few feet of snow (thank heavens!). After the holidays, the Christmas Shop changes back to the wonderland of greenery and all things garden.
Humboldt and horses go hand in hand (more like hand in hoof). Ride through Humboldt with Korobi Stables (2316 Sandy Prairie Road, Fortuna, (707) 496-6004). They make it easy to book a trail ride online. Have a family ride before the next growth spurt ends with visits to college campuses. Tired of sitting in the stands at the Fortuna Rodeo? Take riding lessons and see why those cowboys and cowgirls have so much fun. Call to ask about English lessons (saddle type not diction) for those of you who got hooked by this year’s Olympic equestrian athletes. Pull on those boots and get riding!
With the Kids
Parents, you need Boba Monster (615 11th St., Arcata, (707) 630-3731) in your life. A cranky child can’t help but giggle after a sip of their favorite strawberry lemonade comes with unexpected popping boba! Hokkaido milk tea with coconut jellies just might make adults giggle too. The smiling Adriana Tatome grew her boba business from a pop up to popping on 11th Street, so you know she knows her boba. Her menu includes vegan options and a plethora of flavors. What kid would not want to know what dragonberries tastes like, and how do you get the dragons to give them up?
You won’t have to repark the family truckster after a boba run to pop into Rain Delay Card Shop (1041 F St., Alley C). There are monthly trade nights to help budding and established collectors find that one elusive card. Rain Delay is an authorized Topps dealer, so look for their rip events (opening up special releases) when they give out free cards to kids. It won’t be the Carl Yastrzemski with the big sideburns, but a sports hero they may recognize, like Shaquille O’Neal, whose signed jersey is proudly displayed on the wall. Fortunately, card packs no longer come with the shatterable pink sheets masquerading as “gum.” (If you buy an unopened pack from the 1980s you will be tempted to try the gum. No. Walk away. Save yourself!) Plan a family day and bring grandpa greybeard too, because no kid is too old to love a good card. Maybe he still needs to collect the hirsute Yastrzemski for himself.
Take the family for a drive to beautiful Ferndale. After eyeballing the town’s architectural color, show the little ones something built to their scale at Hadley Gardens, (655 Main Street, ADA accessible). Willis Dean Hadley, the park’s benefactor, built the Victorian dollhouse that graces the gardens that fulfill his desire to preserve native plants. The miniature Fern Canyon was designed for your little T Rex who would love to stomp along the path. From waterfall to fairy garden, the enchanting park displays the beauty of Humboldt County’s biodiverse habitats. Interpretive panels help you answer some of those “why?” questions like “Why is that metal flower so big?” (Answer: It’s a solar sunflower!) Did I mention it’s free?
Humboldt is beautiful inside and out, no matter what your age. Time to put down the Insider and go outside.
This article appears in Fall / Winter 2024.