Eureka is a historic port city in Northern California and the
capital of Humboldt County. The location is on Humboldt Bay and
close to
Redwood National Park to the north and Humboldt Redwoods
State Park to the south. Redwood forests are in the immediate
vicinity of the city and are one of the main attractions along
with the Old Town.
The town was founded in 1850 as a
supply post for gold miners and lumberjacks. The original
indigenous population was made up of the Yurok, Hupa and Karuk
tribes. Their way of life and culture was irrevocably changed
with the settlers.
Old Town Eureka
This old town center consists of 154 buildings,
mostly from the Victorian era. The heart of this district is on First,
Second and Third Streets between C and M Streets (between the seafront
and 101). The district is considered the cultural heart of the city with
a vibrant arts scene. Numerous pubs, cafes, restaurants, museums and
galleries, art and antique shops can be found here. Threatened with
decay in the 1960s, this district was saved by prudent decisions by the
city fathers, renovating and restoring houses and reconstructing others
that could not be saved.
Museums
Eureka offers the museum
lover a wide range of museums ranging from indigenous art and lifestyle
to seafaring and the 19th century white settlers.
Clark Memorial
Museum. The museum is housed in a former bank on the corner of Third and
E streets in the Old Town. The museum has a large collection of art and
cultural objects from the Yurok, Hupa and Karuk, who originally settled
here.
Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum. McFarlan House, a replica of
Eureka's first home, is home to the Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum. The
museum operates the oldest passenger ship in the United States, the
vMadaket. The former ferry celebrated its 90th birthday in 2000 and is
now used for harbor tours. As a side curiosity, it has the smallest
licensed bar in the state of California.
Fort Humboldt Museum. The
Fort Humboldt Museum and State Historical Park is located on Fort Avenue
at the south end of town. General Ulysses Grant, who became famous
during the civil war, was one of the commanders of what was then the
northernmost fort on the Pacific coast. Items from the period of white
settlement in the 19th century are on display here. There are also
several working steam engines.
Parks
Cooper Gulch Park, in the
North Borough.
Sequoia Park. Approx. 1-2 km south of the above
Highland Park, west end near Bayshore Mall.
Humboldt State Historic
Park, adjacent to Highland Park.
Zoo
Sequoia Park Zoo. The zoo
is located in the southwest of the city in Seqoia Park. Open: The zoo is
closed on Mondays. Price: Admission is free, but a donation is
requested.
By plane
Arcata-Eureka Regional Airport (IATA: ACV). Approximately
22 miles north of downtown McKinleyville with regular service to
Seattle, Washington, D.C., Portland (Oregon), Redding (California) and
Los Angeles International Airport. The connections are offered by United
and Horizon.
Murray Field (IATA: EKA), northeast toward Arcata.
Eureka Municipal Airport, on the Bay Island of Samoa.
By train
There is an AMTRAK station in Eureka, but
it is only one stop. You cannot buy tickets and there is no other
service. The stop is at 1200 5th Street.
In the street
the us
Route 101 (El Camino Real or Coast Highway) runs through the city. The
California State Route 299 connects the 101 via Arcata with the
northeast of the state (including Redding (California).
Landslides with road closures can occur in autumn and winter, so be sure
to check the current road conditions before driving.
By boat
The city has about 400 berths in marinas.
Eureka is a relatively small town that is easy to explore on foot (especially downtown).
Eureka, nestled in Humboldt County amid towering redwoods and foggy
coastlines, has a storied past rooted in the Gold Rush era, logging
booms, and a vibrant yet often violent red-light district. Founded in
1850, the city quickly grew into a hub for sailors, loggers, and
opportunists, leading to a high concentration of saloons, brothels, and
untimely deaths from brawls, earthquakes, and disease. This turbulent
history has fueled numerous haunted legends, making Old Town Eureka one
of the most paranormally active spots on the West Coast. Ghost tours,
such as the Old Town Haunted History Ghost Tours, delve into these
tales, blending historical research with eyewitness accounts of
apparitions, unexplained sounds, and eerie presences. Reports often stem
from Victorian-era buildings, where tragedies like suicides, murders,
and natural disasters are said to linger as supernatural echoes. Local
lore emphasizes that these spirits are rarely malevolent—many are
described as playful or sorrowful remnants of the past.
Eagle
House Victorian Inn (Corner of Second and C Streets, Old Town): Built in
1888 as a grand hotel catering to the lumber elite, this ornate
structure has accumulated over a century of paranormal reports. Guests
and staff have witnessed flashes of light darting through rooms, shadowy
figures on the balcony, and the apparition of a woman who vanishes upon
approach. A persistent legend claims a suicide occurred on the rooftop
staircase leading to a fire escape, possibly explaining the sensation of
being watched or sudden cold spots. Interestingly, the presences here
are often called "positive and playful," with no reports of
harm—sensitive visitors on tours have noted an absence of unhappiness.
The building's history as a social hub during Eureka's boom years,
including ties to Prohibition-era gatherings, adds to its mystique.
Oberon Grill (516 Second Street, Old Town): Originally the Oberon
Saloon dating back to the 1860s or 1870s, this site is infamous for its
upstairs apparition of a young woman, linked to a victim of the
devastating 1932 magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked Humboldt County.
Sightings span decades, with the ghost appearing in the former brothel
rooms (now a banquet hall named the Ruby Room after 1930s madam Ruby
Smith). The building's past as a red-light district staple—Eureka
boasted 65 saloons and 32 brothels by 1910—contributes to tales of
residual energy from suicides, drownings, and blighted lives. Author
Jack London reportedly brawled here with a local lumber baron, adding
literary intrigue to the hauntings.
Louvre Café/Eureka Books (426
and 422 Second Street, Old Town): These connected buildings housed the
High Lead saloon, Alpine brothel (one of Eureka's longest-running), and
Louvre Café during the 1920s Prohibition era. A 1933 gun duel in the
back alley, sparked by a quarrel among owners, left one man dead in what
newspapers called a "frontier days" shootout. Paranormal activity
includes chills and unease, potentially tied to the victim or
perpetrator's unrest. The site's plaque commemorates its brothel
history, amplifying legends of scandalous spirits.
Fort Humboldt
State Historic Park (3431 Fort Avenue): Established in 1853 as a U.S.
Army outpost to mediate conflicts between settlers and Indigenous
tribes, the fort was abandoned by 1870 after serving briefly under
future president Ulysses S. Grant. It's haunted by the apparition of a
post commander who died of malaria in 1859, often seen gazing out
windows. Nighttime visitors report heavy objects being dragged across
floors in the old hospital building, evoking the site's grim history of
disease and frontier hardship.
Scotia Inn (Nearby in Scotia,
about 25 miles south): This 1888 hotel, tied to the Pacific Lumber
Company town, is one of Humboldt's most active haunts. Staff share tales
of doors slamming, footsteps in empty halls, and apparitions of former
loggers or residents. Its proximity to Eureka makes it a common
extension for local ghost hunters.
Other notable legends include
the Vance Motel (rumored poltergeist activity), Eureka Inn (ghosts that
"torment" guests with pranks), and the Morris Graves Museum (unsettling
elevator encounters). Broader Humboldt lore features alien sightings in
areas like Fickle Hill and Kneeland, blending supernatural with
extraterrestrial themes. The surrounding redwoods amplify the eeriness:
Orick Trails host hooded figures causing visions and migraines; Humboldt
Campgrounds harbor Indigenous spirits and Bigfoot signs; and Duluwat
Island (Indian Island) is sacred to the Wiyot people, haunted by victims
of the 1860 massacre.
Abandoned Places in Eureka, California
Eureka's abandonment stories often overlap with its haunted ones, as
economic shifts from logging declines left behind decaying structures.
The area's ghost towns and ruins evoke a sense of forgotten prosperity,
with overgrown sites drawing urban explorers. While not all are fully
deserted—some are preserved historic parks—they carry an abandoned aura
due to disuse and isolation.
Abandoned Victorian Homes (Various
locations, e.g., 1811 California Street): Eureka is dotted with
shuttered Queen Anne and Italianate Victorians from the late 1800s,
symbols of lumber barons' wealth. Many fell into disrepair after
industry waned, with examples like the 1877-built home near 7th Street
featuring crumbling facades and boarded windows. These sites fuel urban
decay photography but are often private and unsafe to enter.
Falk
Ghost Town (Headwaters Forest Reserve, about 10 miles southeast): This
logging camp, founded in 1884 around the Falk Mill, thrived until fires
and economic fallout led to its 1937 abandonment. Today, ruins include a
reconstructed train barn amid misty redwoods, with an eerie "watched"
feeling reported by hikers. It's accessible via the Eel River Trailhead
and ties into broader haunted redwood lore.
Carson Mansion (143 M
Street, now Ingomar Club): Built in 1884-1886 by lumber magnate William
Carson, this elaborate Queen Anne masterpiece isn't fully abandoned but
has an air of seclusion as a private club. Its empty family crypt and
ornate, shadowy design inspired Disney's Haunted Mansion attractions.
Urban legends swirl around its "haunted" vibe, though it's
well-maintained.
Samoa (Peninsula across Humboldt Bay): Once a
bustling port town, it now features semi-abandoned buildings and an
eerie, fog-shrouded atmosphere. Locals describe it as a "ghost town"
with remnants of old bunkers and a haunted former brothel (another Eagle
House reference in lore). It's slightly populated but evokes isolation.
Additional sites include WWII-era bunkers in Samoa, the overgrown
Arcata/Mad River Railroad ruins, and an abandoned neighborhood near Big
Lagoon. Fort Humboldt, while a state park, retains abandoned military
structures. For safety, visitors should respect private property and
join guided tours to explore these places responsibly.
Galleries, art and antique shops are mainly found in the Old Town.
Shamus T Bones Steakhouse, 1911 Truesdale St, Eureka. Phone: +1
707-407-3550. Open: Sat + Sun 9 a.m. – 9.30 p.m., Mon – Wed 2.30 p.m. –
9.30 p.m., Thu + Fri 11 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.; Happy Hours 2.30pm – 6pm.
Smug's Pizza, 626 2nd St, Eureka. Phone: +1 707-268-8082. Open: Mon –
Thu 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Fri 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun
closed.
The Banana Hut, 621 5th St, Eureka. Phone: +1 707-444-3447.
Hawaiian restaurant. Open: Mon – Fri 11.30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat 12 noon –
9 p.m., Sun 12 noon – 8 p.m.
The Greene Lily, 307 2nd St, Eureka.
Phone: +1 707-798-6083. breakfast place. Open: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 3
p.m., Sat + Sun 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pearl Lounge, 507 2nd St, Eureka. Phone: +1 707-444-2017. cocktail
bar. Open: Tue – Sat 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., closed Sun + Mon.
Gallagher's
Irish Pub, 139 2nd St, Eureka. Phone: +1 707-442-1177. Open: Mon – Fri
11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat + Sun 11.30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Shanty, 213
3rd St, Eureka. Phone: +1 707-444-2053. Bar. Open: Mon – Sat 12pm – 2am,
Sun 10am – 2am.
Carter House Inns, 301 L St, Eureka. Phone: +1 800-404-1390. Feature:
★★★.
Red Lion Hotel, 1929 4th St, Eureka. Phone: +1 707-445-0844.
Feature: ★★★.
Hydrangea Inn, 2419 F St, Eureka. Phone: +1
707-442-0415. Feature: ★★★★★.
The Humboldt State University Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center has been
located at Humboldt Bay in Old Town since spring 2007. It is planned to
move the campus completely to Eureka. In the First Gallery in the Old
Town, art students and artists from the university can exhibit and learn
how to organize and present an exhibition.
The College of the
Redwoods also maintains a campus and teaching building in Eureka.
There is little variation in temperature throughout the year in Eureka. The thermometer usually shows temperatures between 9 and 16°C. Even in summer it doesn't get very warm due to the location on the Pacific.
About an hour's drive north on Highway 101 is Redwood National Park. Here are the oldest trees in California, some are up to 2000 years old. Here it is advisable to stop at the Visitor Center first. You get some information, can watch a film about the park and buy a number of souvenirs. Then continue on Highway 101 to the Newton B. Drury Scenic Pkwy. This is a particularly beautiful route that runs through the middle of the redwoods. The parkway is about 17 miles long and finally ends in the 101 again. There are always hiking routes and walking paths to the left and right of the parkway, on which you can delve even deeper into the forests. It is advisable to invest some time and immerse yourself in these forests on foot.
The history of Eureka, California, begins with the indigenous Wiyot
people, who have inhabited and stewarded the Humboldt Bay region for
thousands of years. The Wiyot, along with neighboring tribes such as the
Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, and Tolowa, lived as hunter-gatherers in permanent
villages, relying on resources like acorns, game, shellfish, salmon, and
trout. They developed advanced basket-making techniques and resolved
conflicts through compensation rather than warfare. The original Wiyot
name for the area that became Eureka was Jaroujiji, meaning "where you
sit and rest." In 1852, Kiwelatah served as the head elder of the Wiyot
tribe. These indigenous communities maintained a deep connection to the
land and environment, which would later be disrupted by European
arrival.
European Discovery and Founding (1840s–1850s)
European exploration of the area began in the early 19th century, but
significant settlement was spurred by the California Gold Rush. In April
1850, the ship Laura Virginia became the first American vessel to enter
Humboldt Bay, with the adventurers on board naming the bay after the
German scientist Alexander von Humboldt. That same year, settlers and
gold seekers established the first settlement on the bay's shores,
naming it Eureka—from the Greek phrase meaning "I have found it"—which
echoed the state seal's motto. Initially, Eureka was not founded as a
lumber town but as a transportation and supply hub for gold miners in
the nearby Trinity Mountains, where limited gold was found. Coastal
towns like Eureka, Arcata (originally called Union), and Trinidad grew
as ports, supported by pack trains and early railroads.
The city was
officially laid out in 1850 and incorporated on April 18, 1856, becoming
the county seat of Humboldt County that year. Located on the North Coast
along U.S. Route 101 and the shores of Humboldt Bay, Eureka's strategic
position facilitated early growth. Fort Humboldt was established in 1853
to maintain order amid rising tensions, and future U.S. President
Ulysses S. Grant served there briefly before the Civil War.
Conflicts and Indigenous Displacement (1850s–1860s)
The rapid influx
of settlers led to severe conflicts with indigenous populations, as
native resources were usurped, resulting in massacres, forced
resettlement, and disease outbreaks that decimated tribes. Between 1853
and 1865, the area saw several Indian uprisings. One of the most tragic
events was the Tuluwat Island massacre on February 26, 1860, where over
250 Wiyot people—mostly women and children—were killed amid disputes
over resources, sparking a four-year war. While some tribes were
destroyed, others preserved elements of their culture. In a landmark act
of repatriation, the City of Eureka returned Tuluwat Island to the Wiyot
people on October 21, 2019, marking the first such municipal land return
to an Indigenous community in the U.S. after over 150 years.
Economic Boom and Architectural Development (1870s–1910s)
By the
1870s, Eureka's economy shifted toward timber, often called "red gold"
due to the abundant redwood forests. Lumber production exploded in the
1880s, with railroads connecting hundreds of mills to the city and
Humboldt Bay enabling efficient shipping. Shipbuilding became a major
industry, persisting into World War II, while mining, fishing (for crab,
oysters, fish, and whales), and agriculture—including dairy, fruit, and
grazing—thrived on the region's rich soils. The completion of the
Northwestern Pacific Railroad in 1914 provided a land alternative to sea
transport, doubling Eureka's population from 7,300 to 15,000 within a
decade.
This prosperity is reflected in Eureka's renowned Victorian
architecture, earning it the nickname "Victorian seaport." Iconic
structures include the Carson Mansion, built between 1884 and 1886 by
architects Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom for lumber baron William M.
Carson, often hailed as the most spectacular Victorian home in the
nation. The Eureka Heritage Society, founded in 1973, has preserved
hundreds of such structures, publishing "Eureka, an Architectural View"
(known as The Green Book) in 1987 to document them. Other landmarks
include the Clarke Historical Museum (in a 1911 neoclassical bank
building) and Fort Humboldt State Historic Park, showcasing
mid-19th-century military and logging exhibits.
A darker chapter
occurred in the 1880s with anti-Chinese sentiment fueled by the Chinese
Exclusion Act. In 1885, after Eureka City Councilman David Kendall was
killed in crossfire between rival Chinese gangs, 600 white vigilantes
expelled all 480 Chinese residents from Eureka's Chinatown. The
Exclusion Act was repealed in 1959, and commemorative plaques now mark
the site in Old Town.
20th Century Growth and Challenges
(1920s–1990s)
The early 20th century brought modernization, with rail
connections, the Redwood Highway, and automobiles reducing isolation and
boosting tourism. Redwood preservation efforts led to the creation of
local, state, and national parks, enhancing the area's appeal for
visitors and film productions. Fisheries expanded in the 1970s and early
1980s, with Eureka fishermen landing over half of California's fish and
shellfish. The 1960s and 1970s also saw the back-to-the-land movement,
drawing countercultural migrants from San Francisco who fostered
alternative lifestyles and kickstarted the cannabis industry, which
remains economically significant today.
Eureka's isolation fostered a
sense of rugged independence, but it also faced economic shifts as
lumber and fishing industries fluctuated. The city continued to develop
as a major lumber, commercial-fishing, and transportation hub.
Modern History (2000s–Present)
In the 21st century, Eureka has
focused on heritage preservation, tourism, and reconciliation with its
indigenous past. The return of Tuluwat Island in 2019 was a pivotal
moment. Today, the city of about 26,000 residents (as of recent
estimates) emphasizes its Victorian architecture, historic waterfront,
and natural surroundings, with attractions like Old Town Eureka and the
Blue Ox Millworks & Historic Village demonstrating 19th-century
craftsmanship. Dairying, tourism, and emerging sectors like cannabis
contribute to the economy, while the area's interdependence with its
environment—timber, fishing, and parks—remains central. Eureka stands as
a blend of historical resilience, cultural diversity, and natural beauty
on California's remote North Coast.
Eureka, California, serves as the principal city and county seat of
Humboldt County, positioned on the North Coast within the Redwood Empire
region. It lies along the shores of Humboldt Bay, approximately 270
miles (435 km) north of San Francisco and 100 miles (161 km) south of
the Oregon border, making it the largest coastal city between San
Francisco and Portland, Oregon. The city's coordinates are roughly
40°48′07″N 124°09′49″W, and it is the westernmost city in the contiguous
United States with a population exceeding 25,000 residents. Eureka
functions as a regional hub for government, healthcare, trade, and the
arts in the area north of the San Francisco Bay Area. It encompasses a
major commercial fishing port and the largest deep-water port between
San Francisco and Coos Bay, Oregon, spanning a vast 500-mile (805 km)
stretch of coastline. The greater Eureka area, including nearby
communities like Arcata, Fortuna, and others, forms the largest urban
settlement on the Pacific Coast in this region.
The city's strategic
location on U.S. Route 101 facilitates connectivity, while its proximity
to the Pacific Ocean, Humboldt Bay, and surrounding rivers defines much
of its geographical character. Historically, Eureka was a key port of
entry by water in the 19th century, supporting industries tied to timber
and fishing. The area was traditionally the homeland of the Wiyot
people, who managed fisheries and basketry resources along the bay's
coastline and inland toward the mountains.
Eureka covers a total area of about 14.45 square miles (37.4 km²),
with 9.38 square miles (24.3 km²) of land and 5.07 square miles (13.1
km²) of water, accounting for roughly 35% water coverage. The city is
nestled on Humboldt Bay, a 13-mile-long (21 km) natural bay that serves
as a central feature, with a marina located on one of three islands at a
narrow entrance point. Elevation within the city is generally low near
the bay, rising slightly as the terrain extends north, south, and
particularly eastward into forested areas. The urban grid follows a
traditional layout radiating toward compass points, but post-1970
developments have expanded into formerly clear-cut second-growth redwood
and Douglas-fir forests, pushing the city limits about two miles (3.2
km) eastward.
Beyond the immediate urban area, the landscape
transitions into unincorporated zones with indistinct boundaries,
featuring secluded developments amid extensive second-growth forests,
including areas on golf courses designed to promote recreation per the
1995 Eureka Community Plan. Further out, the terrain gives way to the
rugged Coast Range mountains, which rise to elevations exceeding 2,000
feet (610 m). These hills and mountains are part of the broader Six
Rivers National Forest and the North Coast Redwoods District of
California State Parks, both headquartered in Eureka. The bay itself
supports diverse ecosystems, including oyster farming, and is flanked by
coastal dunes, marshes, and tidal flats.
Eureka experiences a mild, temperate cool-summer Mediterranean
climate (Köppen classification: Csb), heavily influenced by the Pacific
Ocean and the cold waters of Humboldt Bay. This maritime setting results
in very small annual temperature variations, with cool, foggy summers
and mild, rainy winters. The average high temperature in the coolest
month (December) is 55.0°F (12.8°C), while in the warmest month
(August), it reaches 64.3°F (17.9°C), yielding a mere 10.7°F (5.9°C)
seasonal difference—comparable to the daily diurnal range. Absolute
temperature extremes include a high of 87°F (30.6°C) recorded multiple
times (most recently in 2020) and a low of 20°F (-6.7°C) in 1888.
Freezing temperatures are rare, occurring only a few nights annually,
and the city has never recorded an ice day (where the high remains below
freezing).
Precipitation averages 40.3 inches (1,024 mm) per year,
falling on about 127.5 days, primarily from October to April. December
is the wettest month with 8.10 inches (206 mm), while summers are
notably dry. Record wet years include 73.30 inches (1,862 mm) from
1889–1890, and the driest was 17.56 inches (446 mm) in 1976–1977.
Snowfall is extremely uncommon, averaging just 0.2 inches (0.51 cm)
annually, with measurable amounts in only a handful of years. Coastal
fog is a defining feature, persisting year-round but especially in
summer, moderating temperatures and creating a cool breeze that
contrasts sharply with hotter inland areas (often 30–40°F/17–22°C
warmer). Annual sunshine reaches about 55% of possible hours.
Humboldt Bay dominates Eureka's geography, providing a sheltered
harbor for over 100 commercial fishing vessels and around 400
recreational boats. The bay supports key industries like fishing
(salmon, tuna, Dungeness crab, shrimp) and oyster aquaculture, which has
been prominent since the 19th century. Surrounding the bay are Pacific
Ocean coastlines, several rivers (including the Mad and Elk Rivers), and
extensive wetlands that contribute to biodiversity. The region is
renowned for its coast redwood forests, part of the Redwood National and
State Parks and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which lie nearby and
feature some of the tallest trees on Earth.
These forests transition
from coastal second-growth stands into old-growth groves inland,
offering habitats for diverse wildlife and recreational opportunities.
Natural resources have historically driven the econom