What a perfect time to get out and enjoy all that Humboldt has to offer! There is something for everyone, from the worldly wanderer up for a new challenge to harried parents looking for an affordable distraction. Humboldt’s creative communities come together to provide a calendar of cultural delights to fill your summer days and nights. You don’t want to get lost on the Lost Coast, and it turns out a trusty compass and an old school map (contours are sexy on paper, too) to navigate through dense redwoods are all you need. If you are hankering for a rollercoaster, the Eel River Valley has an exciting solution to scratch your itch. Keep the kids busy learning about the animal tracks you made in their sandbox. Is that a racoon, the neighbor’s cat … or is it Bigfoot? Ask the Humboldt County Visitors Bureau to start you off on the right foot to track the Hairy Man. Soothe your hungry beasties (of all ages) with a cone of their choice: sweet or savory. Or have the partner snap a selfie as you both enjoy a reward of Humboldt’s cold brews on tap. Explore, experience and enjoy!
Outdoorsy Types
The Redwood Curtain can dampen cell phone reception, so learning how to navigate without electronics (or Google Maps) is a good idea. Hit your favorite outdoor outfitter and pick up a compass — they’re low-frill and low-cost, and they never lose signal. Orienteeringusa.org has the basics outlined in print and a brief video. Follow the flow of contour lines to understand the ups and the downs of elevation before you commit to a day-long hike, though. Start off slowly, navigating yourself around town to get familiar with using the timeless compass.
Try out those new orienteering skills on the McKinleyville Community Forest (Murray Road, McKinleyville. A miscalculation here may only leave you looking at someone’s backyard fence, not contemplating eating bark in the dark. The new park is rehabilitating a mix of logged and standing woods, land first taken from Indigenous people and now turned over to the whole community. Rough dirt roads (emphasis on rough, not ADA compliant just yet, anyway) crisscross the 599 acres. The undulating trails are a blast on a mountain bike. McKinleyville Community Service District is asking for public input on planning for the park’s usage, so pipe up while you have the chance to let your trail needs be known. Meanwhile, bikes, horses, dogs and people share the still unmarked trails, so keep an eye out for other happy day trippers gaping at the stunning views. The McKinleyville Community Forest is a diamond in the very rough so the best places to park are the logging road entrance pull offs on Murray Road.
For those more advanced navigators with the desire to skirt civilization, the newly restored Punta Gorda Lighthouse in Petrolia beckons. The 1911 National Historic Place lighthouse was deactivated in 1951 because it was considered too difficult to reach for maintenance. How difficult? They called it the Alcatraz of Lighthouses, giving it over to the elephant and harbor seals. Just to visit it requires keeping a careful eye on the tides. The lighthouse is accessed from the Mattole Trailhead of the Lost Coast Trail. Call the Bureau of Land Management King Range Office at (707) 986-5400 to ask about resting your weary bones at the nearby Mattole campground (3750 Lighthouse Road, Petrolia).
Foodies
After a hard hike, nothing is better than a cold local brew from Redwood Curtain Brewery and an excellent sandwich from pub fusion truck in residence South G Kitchen (550 G St, Arcata, brewery 707-826-7222, southgkitchen.com). The pale ale soothes your hot brow as you wait on the patio for your food. The rockfish tacos (grilled or deep fried) are a delight, with a tangy slaw and yummy Baja sauce. The ribeye French onion cheesesteak sandwich will pull you back to South G for more. Kids will love the fish and chips, and the veggie offerings are delectable. You can also get a refillable growler or crowler of Redwood Curtain’s finest brews to keep that tank topped up. (We see you eyeing that creamy stout for later.) Or maybe one of the Funky Notions series. Oh, the choices!
Think about it. Creamy mashed potatoes in homemade gravy, smothered in smoky beef brisket, sprinkled with bacon and cheese … in a savory waffle cone. This comfort treat from heaven is the specialty of the Lighthouse Grill (355 Main St., Trinidad, 707-677-0077). They also serve up a delicious menu of hamburgers (beef and tofu), fish and chicken strips to satisfy your hungry hordes. Added to local beers (Mad River and Redwood Curtain), homemade ice cream and locally sourced ingredients, is the stunning artwork — look up! The ceiling murals will delight you with their switched-up perspective on ocean life. Don’t miss the bathroom, a surround of Trinidad bathed in sunlight but frozen in time, all painted by Westhaven Center for the Arts Artist-In-Residence Antoinette Magyar.
Wok In Wok Out Asian Eatery and Boba Tea Shop (307 Second St., Eureka, 707-222-6677) waits for you with a tall, cool Taiwanese treat of tea and tapioca pearls as a fun refreshment. The Lao specialty kao poon noodles will fill up the tanks after that wander around Old Town and the Laotian larb awaits those who love a fresh, spicy dish (you know who you are). Wok In Wok Out is the comeback story of the year with Ronnie Worasen, former chef/owner of Hunan Restaurant, returning to the kitchen after a life-changing accident. He and his wife, Kommaly, bring the heat to feed your chili pepper need. Hungry yet?
Art Lovers
The creative muses of Humboldt are super busy. Take advantage of the wellspring and dip your toes into the pools of local talent. The venerable Brenda Tuxford Gallery (422 First St., Eureka, 707-442-8413) run by the Ink People Center for Arts and Culture provides space to an array of dazzling creations, with a regular rotation of exhibits and events. You can also experience the Wiyot Salmon Ceremony oral history exhibit in the adjoining Humboldt County Visitors Bureau. From the exuberant to the reverent, the gallery caters to your cultural appetites. Stop in and talk local arts with those who are in the know.
Take a drive to Humboldt’s favorite Victorian town to visit the Ferndale Arts Gallery (535 Main St., Ferndale, 707-786-7051) artists collective. Twenty-one talented artists present their photography, pottery, fiber arts and sculptures, from the experimental to the traditional. You can patronize Ferndale’s artists by hanging art on your walls or around the neck of your loved ones. The stunning artisan jewelry is perfect for a graduation or anniversary gift, and there is always an artist on hand to assist in finding that one creation seemingly made just for you. Did you see the delicate brush strokes on that painting by this month’s featured artist? Surely you can find space on your walls for something that luminous.
Heed the call of the redwood’s thespians and musicians (Sequoias histro et musicus) echoing throughout Southern Humboldt. How long has it been since you went to a live show? Check out the fun at the Mateel Community Center (59 Rusk Lane, Redway, 707-923-3368), the gateway to rural redwood performing arts. Take in the sensational offerings of the 47th annual Summer Arts and Music Festival on June 8-9. Float along to the righteous tunes of the 35th Reggae on the River from Aug. 2-4. Go to Open Mic First Mondays to test out that material you’ve been honing. (Go on. You can do it!) Visit the Redwood Playhouse (286 Sprowel Creek Road, Garberville, redwoodplayhouse.org) for the annual live theater presentation written by teens ages 12-18, aka Recycled Youth. All chances to support the arts in its first bloom.
Not Strictly for Tourists
Use your orienteering skills to amble your way around Eureka’s historic Old Town from the newly restored Pinc Lady Mansion Inn on M Street to the end of Opera Alley on D Street. The cultural heart of Eureka is open to all. (Locals, why leave it to the tourists?) After the antique stores are browsed and the bookstore purchases are stowed, it’s time for lunch in that restaurant you just could not pass up. Did you just pick up writings of the gold field brawler who started a throwdown at the former Oberon Saloon (now the Green Lily, 516 Second Street)? Bet he knew about the Bluebird Rooms above the Wave Saloon (now Café Waterfront, corner of First and F streets). Can you guess that literary hothead’s name?
Stop in at the Da Gou Rou Louwi’ Cultural Center (417 Second St., Suite 101, Eureka, 707-798-1949) to enrich your understanding of the Wiyot Tribe. Da Gou Rou Louwi’ is Soulatluk for “the ongoing return of all.” This return is a joyous celebration and revitalization of Wiyot culture. Enjoy a self-led tour of the rotating exhibits, then browse the gift shop that supports talented Wiyot artists. The shell dresses and exquisite carvings are works of astounding skill still practiced in the community. Now is your chance to support brilliant artists at work. Just try walking out of the gift store without a hand-crafted piece to treasure.
It’s time for Hot Sasquatch Summer! Have fun in the big guy’s backyard looking for the world-famous cryptid. Join in as Willow Creek celebrates its elusive citizen with an all-out bash during the 62nd annual Bigfoot Daze on July 13. After the parade, enjoy the cool ice cream social courtesy of the Willow Creek China Flat Museum and Bigfoot Collection (38949 CA-299, Willow Creek, 530-629-2653, thebigfootmuseum.com). Wipe that chin and go inside to peruse Bigfoot prints cast by Bob Patterson himself. Head to Veterans Park for festivities of food, music and more. Better start practicing for that Bigfoot calling contest now! Willow Creek welcomes squatchy fans all summer long and the Six Rivers National Forest can hide a lot of Patty’s descendants. I got my casting plaster. Do you?
With the Kids
Surprise the kids (4-foot-8-inches and taller) with the VR Hurricane 360. Who needs a huge amusement park with massive lines when Bear River Family Entertainment (11 Bear Paws Way, Loleta, 707-733-1880) is in your backyard? The Hurricane is a virtual rollercoaster, so no fears of getting a face full of surprised gull (we’ve all seen that video). Rain or shine, this coaster rolls! Bear River has other fun for those family members more comfortable with both feet on the ground, like bowling or a hot game of laser tag.
For a lower-tech family activity, encourage your little wildlife zoologist in training by learning about animal tracks. Ask your favorite Humboldt County librarian for age-appropriate recommendations of books with animal track illustrations. They know their shelves better than anyone. Visit Animal Tracks of Humboldt County (beartrackersden.com) to see what animals are walking around in Northern California. Play detective by laying down loose sand to find animal pathways through the yard. Make animal tracks in soft soil for the kids to discover and identify. They will remember comparing their little feet to the Bigfoot print you made for them.
Reward the family with a trip to Jersey Scoops (348 Main St, Loleta, 707-683-9067). The most stubborn frown will turn upside down at the sight of fresh strawberry ice cream. Or maybe a Brown Cow made with Lost Coast Brewery root beer because parents need a smile, too. The Foggy Bottoms Boys, husbands Thomas and Cody Nicholson Stratton, make scrumptious treats with help from the Nicholson Livestock Dairy. Contented Jersey cows produce quality milk that becomes Danish butter cookie ice cream (back due to popular demand). Your little beastie will go all smiles after they sink their fangs into a delicious organic grilled cheese sandwich on white crafted just for them.
So much to see and do and eat! Follow your faves on social media to keep up with hours of operation, exhibits and menu specials. You don’t want to miss out on anything.
This article appears in Humboldt Insider Spring/Summer 2024.