Humboldt Bay Tourism Center 205 G St., Eureka Not your usual rack of pamphlets and maps here, though you can book tours and such. Instead, the rustic/industrial-chic oyster bar showcases local products. You could dip into a single Kumamoto or Bucksport oyster ($2 raw, $3 broiled), or go all in with a platter of a […]
Visitor’s Guide
Posted inFood & Drink
Seasonal Sipping
With so many bars, taprooms and wineries to choose from and so little daylight to spare, it’s hard to know where to start on the quest for the quintessential seasonal beverage. Rest assured, we’ve done the footwork for you. The Tomodachi at Tomo (708 Ninth St., Arcata) is a cool weather go-to, though it can […]
Posted inFood & Drink
DI Wine
Bob Stockwell, wine guru at the Arcata Co-op for the past 20 years, helped us sort out a choose-your-own-adventure sampling of Humboldt County vino. Cheers! Bubbly Briceland Brut: A nice, dry sparkler (that sells out!). $35 White Light Bodied: Frog Alley Sauvignon Blanc. Best Winery at the Humboldt County Fair. Crisp, with white fruit overtones. $12 Sun […]
Posted inShopping
Old Town Vintage
Antiques and Goodies A family-owned business open since 1978, Antiques and Goodies is perhaps best known for its large collection of furniture from here and abroad. These one-of-a-kind items can be packed and shipped almost anywhere. Shoppers will also find a lovingly selected collection of “smalls,” such as dolls, tins and dishes — like the […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Slow Mocha
Is that rain? Quick, run into Café Mokka (495 J St., Arcata), slide into a window seat and watch the back garden get all misty. We can’t afford to waste wet days anymore, so make your mocha a double ($3.10). There is no pit crew of headset-wearing baristas, and you are not going to slug […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Stroller Hike
The key to any successful backpacking expedition is good recon: Accurate information about the conditions you will face on your trip will inform your gear selection and meal planning. This goes for becoming a first-time mother, too. When embarking on my third trimester, I found myself exploring kids’ stores, reading parenting books, asking experienced parents […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Cremini!
Real cream of mushroom soup has been so thoroughly overshadowed by the Warhol-esque army of cans at the market that we no longer remember the original. Instead, we recall the sound of the congealed stuff, its vacuum suck and plop into the pot. Not that we don’t love Aunt Martha’s green bean casserole when it […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Ode to Summer’s End
Summer produce is still abundant and fall favorites are already making an appearance. It’s a barrage of luxurious colors (bright yellow peppers, blood-red strawberries, dark purple eggplant), deep flavors (sun-ripened tomatoes, peaches, figs) and enveloping smells (dewy lettuce and greens, earthy potatoes and root vegetables). Walking around the farmers market, I try to avoid filling […]
Posted inEat + Drink
The Bounty Around Us
“It’s that time of the year,” sang Len Barry, and I echo his words. He meant summertime, but I mean Local Food Month, when we officially celebrate the food grown or made in our county — a month-long party featuring special events and chances to meet local food producers and taste their products. Providing an […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
New at the Zoo
Over the years, I have written about rooting around for mushrooms, long walks around the bay or along the coast, cycling the Avenue of the Giants, tidepooling, ziplining and wrestling bears (OK, I didn’t write that one). But I overlooked something that takes no planning, no preparation and no special skills or knowledge — the […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Picnics to DIY For
Longer days and sunshine have us dreaming of picnics. And here in Humboldt, we don’t have to travel far to spread a cloth and enjoy a meal in a setting that inspires likes and envy when you post a photo online. The Arcata Marsh, Humboldt Wildlife Refuge and Big Lagoon County Park are favorite spots. […]