Located in northwestern California on the Pacific Coast between Del Norte and Mendocino Counties, Humboldt County is a stunning, mostly rural area that beckons visitors to come and explore the wild northern portion of the state.

Guests can enjoy giant redwood trees, pristine lakes, rugged rivers, picturesque small towns, and lots of peace and quiet in this county that has long attracted visitors who prefer a slower pace than that which is offered in the larger cities to the south.

Just take some time to explore and you'll understand why National Geographic called Humboldt County "one of the world's top ten great places." Start with the county seat, Eureka California. This lovely Victorian city, still a working seaport, was built by the timber industry. It features some of the West Coast's most beautiful Victorian homes, including the Carson Mansion and the Pink Lady, both located downtown. The Old Town section, lovingly restored to Victorian splendor, is a wonderful place to stroll as is the still-vibrant waterfront, where you'll find myriad pleasure craft as well as fishing boats.

Also in Eureka, Fort Humboldt State Historic Park lets visitors roam through reconstructed army buildings and small museums, while the Sequoia Park and Zoo, a 77-acre tract of redwood forest, boasts a duck pond, playgrounds, and a small zoo.

While Eureka is in the geographic center of the county, to the south you'll find more treasures, like the Lost Coast of Humboldt County and the fishing village of Shelter Cove. An eco-tourist's haven, here you'll see myriad sea birds, other wildlife, and a spectacular black sand beach.

Also in the southern part of the county, you'll encounter the town of Garberville, the Benbow Lake State Recreation Area, and the nearby Avenue of the Giants. Garberville is an ideal base for exploring the area, and is full of colorful shops, good eateries, and even a summertime Shakespeare Festival. The Benbow Lake SRA, located on the South Fork of the Eel River, offers swimming, boating, and hiking opportunities as well as picnicking and camping facilities.

By far, one of the most magnificent sights in all of Humboldt County is the 31-mile-long Avenue of the Giants, the most incredible display of giant redwood forest in California. Surrounded by Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the more than 52,000 acres of redwoods are awe-inspiring. On your drive up old Highway 101 (parallel to the 101 freeway), between Phillipsville and Pepperwood, you'll also encounter lots of little towns where you can stop to browse in shops and galleries, or catch a bite to eat.

Just above the Avenue of the Giants is the town of Scotia. The town is unique in that it was, until recently, a "company town," owned by the Pacific Lumber Company and set aside for workers and their families. It was one of the last remaining company towns in America. It's recently merged with the small town of Rio Dell, across the Eel River.

Keep traveling north and you'll reach the town of Fortuna, situated in the Eel River Valley as well. This quiet town is home to about 12,000 residents, an estimated one-third of which are artisans. That means there are lots of galleries and shops to explore. In the summer, thousands head there for the Fortuna Rodeo or the Hops in Humboldt Beer Festival.

Not far from Fortuna is the pretty Victorian village of Ferndale. Seemingly unchanged since the 1800s, the town has been dubbed "one of the prettiest painted places in America." Visitors will find an array of Victorian Bed and Breakfast accommodations, the small but fascinating Ferndale Museum, and a host of colorful events celebrating Ferndale's diverse cultural background.

Head east instead and you'll encounter the town of Bridgeville. The claim to fame for this 83-acre town was that it was placed for sale on eBay in 2002. It sold for $700,000 and then again a few years later for $1.25 million.

Just north of Eureka is Humboldt County's college town, Arcata. Home to Humboldt State University, the city was once a shipping and supply center for the Gold Rush miners on the Trinity River. Today, it has a youthful exuberance, thanks to the presence of many college students. Visitors should be sure to visit the university's Natural History Museum and the nearby Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, a wonderful location for bird watching.

Further up the rugged coast, between the towns of Trinidad and Orick, guests can visit breathtaking Patrick's Point State Park, with its dense forests and sheer cliffs that overlook the wild Pacific Ocean. Perfect for camping, hiking, bicycling, or picnicking, Patrick's Point also boasts a reconstructed Yurok Indian Village, a small but quality bookstore, and a pretty native plant garden.

If you've come to Humboldt, however, to enjoy the rivers, you won't be disappointed. Home to the Eel, Mattole, Elk, Van Duzen, Klamath, and the Mad River, water lovers are nuts about this county, where they can enjoy lots of swimming, fishing, boating, and other water sports.

Humboldt County Events

Northcoast Open Studios Tour

Taste of Main Street

Featured Listings

Six Rivers Brewery

Humboats Kayak Adventures

Ferndale Repertory Theatre

Carson Mansion

Arrington Apples

MING TREE GMAC Real Estate

Humboldt Art of Wine

Humboldt Arts Council

John Frederick of Azalea Realty

Eureka Inn

Los Bagels

Sunset Real Estate

Adventures Edge

Bayview Motel

Morris Graves Museum of Art

Salty's Surf and Wear