Rain. Rain. Here to stay. Inside or out, it’s time to play. Don’t let the seasonal sky drops cramp your winter and spring style in Humboldt. The precipitation precipitates fun and adventure. In Prairie Creek, by car or boots, the redwood forests are at their most magnificent. At the Eureka zoo, water-loving otters play unperturbed. […]
Visitor’s Guide
Posted inFood & Drink
Gyppo Ale Mill
For Shelter Cove, a sleepy seaside town populated by fishermen, surfers and backpacking tourists, a local brewery seemed like destiny. While it’s been under a year since the Gyppo Ale Mill opened its doors, regulars are already wondering how they survived without craft brews on tap and gourmet pub fare close by. For those who […]
Posted inShopping
Marvelous Miscellany
When you enter Many Hands Gallery wind chimes move tunefully overhead, recalling the bay lapping at the bottom of the street, just steps away. A nautical theme fills much of the Old Town space. Maritime merchandise ranges from spyglasses, compasses and sundials to baskets piled high with abalone, starfish and sand dollars. The luminous glass […]
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The Green Scene
Did you know that one of the country’s oldest dispensaries is located in Arcata? HPRC opened in 1999 and has been serving Humboldt ever since. Walking down Arcata’s Sixth Street, it’s easy to stroll past HPRC. With its simple, dark wood and frosted glass exterior and no obvious signage, who could blame you for having […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Beer with Seoul
The Booth Brewing Co., one of the newest additions to Humboldt County’s craft beer scene, began over a craving for one of humankind’s simplest and surest pleasures: pizza and beer. In 2013, beer lovers Sunghoo Yang and Heeyoon Kim, a financial analyst and medical doctor, respectively, joined forces with Daniel Tudor, an Economist writer living […]
Posted inStories
Bout That Time
The lights dim and the crowd cheers. A line of skaters roll out as a voice ricochets through the arena, announcing their names. Wheels screech and we take our places on the track. Soon we will go head-to-head with the opposing team. It will get physical because this is roller derby. And it will get […]
Posted inStories
Curating Self, Refashioning Tradition
The video “Dragging/Undragging” unfolds on a split screen. On the left, a person turns from the camera. The T-shirt comes off and a breast-flattening compression shirt goes on; next comes makeup and a comb to tease up a tall pompadour. Humboldt artist Brittany Britton becomes Jules, a West Coast drag king. At the same time, screen […]
Posted inShopping
Clothes to the Heart
“Independent. Eclectic. Layered. And funny.” These words describe Humboldt style, according to Nancy Tobin, owner of Arcata clothing boutique Vintage Avenger (1101 H St., Arcata). “I’m looking for natural fibers, anything embroidered,” as well as “the 1980s stuff, which has the laugh factor.” Also key: “Not trying too hard. The attitude here is not anti-fashion […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Hamburger Heaven
The Burger Joint, one of Arcata’s newest casual eateries, knows exactly what it is. After all, it’s right there in the name. The restaurant’s relatively simple menu is welcome in this culinary era of inventive one-upmanship. Located behind the Arcata Co-op (835 J St.), in the former site of the restaurants Harvest and 3 Foods […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Around the Fire
At Campground, those seeking privacy can slip into a high-backed booth in the back and more social animals can bring the party to a long table up front. But firebugs will appreciate the couple of seats at the counter overlooking the open kitchen, where aged steaks, seafood and all manner of vegetables are cooked over […]
Posted inShopping
Sock it to Me
Your feet are important. After all, they take you where you need to go. With their help, you can traverse sandy beaches, hike through the redwoods, walk to your favorite local coffehouse, dance The Nutcracker en pointe and shuffle across the bar to meet a special someone. Your trotters take you on adventures, both expected […]
Posted inStories
The Sweet Life
As a wildlife student at Humboldt State, Berit Meyer often snuck away to the library where she spent hours thumbing through old recipes and cookbooks. After graduating in 1981, a family friend gifted her a beautiful book on gourmet chocolate desserts — how did they know? she wondered. Thirty-seven years later, Meyer is still baking […]