Arcata

Arcata is a small university town on the north end of Humboldt Bay. It is well known for its hippie counter culture, progressive politics, and vegetarian restaurants. Arcata is the perfect place to relax while enjoying fresh air, the ocean, and the tallest trees on Earth. The pace of things is quite calm here, with usually as many bicyclists or people on foot as cars go by. Sometimes referred to as being "behind the Redwood Curtain", Arcata has a unique culture that prides itself on all things alternative, and on localism and self-reliance above most everything else.
Due to its tolerant residents, Arcata attracts a large transient population. Most of these people are harmless "dharma bums". Expect to be asked for change every so often, but don't feel pressured to give any.

Visitor information

• Arcata Humboldt Welcome Center

  phone: +1 707-822-3619
  address: 1635 Heindon Rd

By car

• There is one highway to Arcata: the 101, which runs north and south. Arcata is 7 hours south of Portland and 5 hours north of San Francisco.
• Check to see if there are road closures before traveling in and out of the area. In the winter months heavy rains can cause flooding and mudslides on the 101.

By bus

, is Arcata's central bus station for the local city buses (A&MRTS) and other bus lines. The station is located at 925 'E' St, a couple of blocks east of the central plaza along 9th St. It is served by:

• Amtrak Thruway Motor Coach (Rt #7)Connects McKinleyville (via Arcata, Eureka, Willits, Ukiah, Santa Rosa, etc) to the Amtrak San Jaoquins and Capitol Corridor trains in Martinez. Tickets on this bus are only available for connections to Amtrak trains.

• Greyhound LinesGreyhound travels primarily on US Hwy 101 (Arcata, Eureka, Rio Dell, Garberville, Willits, Ukiah, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Oakland and San Francisco). Passengers transfer in Oakland to continue to additional destinations. Arcata is Greyhound's northern terminus for the US Hwy 101 corridor.

• Redwood Transit System (RTS)County-operated transit system along US-Hwy 101 (Scotia, Rio Dell, Fortuna, Fields Landing, King Salmon, Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, Westhaven, Trinidad) and along Hwy 299 (McKinleyville, Arcata, Blue Lake, Willow Creek). Passengers transfer to Trinity Transit in Willow Creek to continue to Weaverville in Trinity County. Passengers can continue towards Redding from Weaverville on another Trinity Transit bus.

• Redwood Coast Transit Rt #20 (RCT)

  phone: +1 707 464-6400
  Continues north along US Hwy 101 from Arcata to Smith River via Crescent City, Klamath Glen, Redwood NP visitors center, etc. in Del Norte County. Passengers transfer to the Oregon Point to continue to Brookings and Medford, Oregon from Crescent City or Smith River (check schedules).

• Blue Lake Rancheria Transit

  phone: +1 707 668-5101
  Connects Arcata to the communities of the Blue Lake Rancheria Indian Reservation around Blue Lake

By plane

• Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) is a small regional airport located north in the town of McKinleyville serving McKinleyville, Arcata, Eureka and other cities and towns in Humboldt County. The airport is used for general aviation with a limited number of commercial flights with Skywest dba United Express from San Francisco International Airport (SFO); Los Angeles area (LAX & Burbank) and Denver International Airport (DEN).

• Arcata is the perfect walking town. Park near the Arcata Plaza and walk to numerous book stores, shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and banks, all within a few blocks of each other. Walk a little further to visit Humboldt State University, the Arcata Community Forest, or the Arcata Marsh.
• Bike lanes abound. Drivers are generally used to and tolerant of bicyclists sharing the road, but as always, ride safely. If your bike breaks down, then Revolution Bicycle Repair is probably your best bet to get it fixed.
• The Arcata and Mad River Transit System (A&MRTS) operates the Red, Gold, and Orange bus routes in Arcata. The Red and Gold routes operate on Monday-Friday, and the Orange route operates on Saturday. There is no bus service on the A&MRTS on Sunday.

• Every Saturday morning in the spring, summer, and fall there is a farmers market on the central plaza.
• People-watching on the Plaza is always a popular choice. Feel free to kick-back on the grass and view a cross-section of the people who make Arcata... Arcata!
• Arcata is filled with vintage Victorian homes that are well cared for. Drive through the streets of Arcata for a tour.
• Right behind the university is the Arcata Community Forest. If you see one thing in Arcata, this should be it. The transition from the university housing to a rainforest filled with ferns, rare birds and other animals, and crisscrossing footpaths along and over wooded streams coursing around older-than-ancient redwood trees, is truly awe-inspiring.

• Humboldt State University Natural History Museum

  phone: +1 707 826-4479
  address: 1242 G St.

Arcata is less than 10 minutes from several scenic beaches, which are perfect for family outings, surfing, skimboarding, and all other beach activities.
You can go on a stroll of Downtown and take a tour of the recently installed public sculptures.

• Humboldt State University

  phone: +1 707 826-3011

• Redwood ParkGreat biking trails, also, hiking trails, and the best playgrounds in town.

• Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary

  phone: +1 707-826-2359
  This world-famous sanctuary doubles as the town's sewage treatment plant. (It smells and looks better than it sounds). It has walking trails, an Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center and bird watching blinds. It is the home of Godwit Days.

• Arcata plazaOne of the greatest features of this city and also one of the many reasons it is such a great college town. There are always events taking place here, from Farmers' Market to the annual Arcata Oyster Festival. The plaza is also the starting point for the Kinetic Sculpture Race, the original triathalon of the art world.

• Heart Bead

  phone: +1 (707) 826-9577
  A happenin' bead store on the plaza where they help you create your own jewelry for free! Cool, artsy ladies are eager to offer ideas and creativity.

• Northtown Books

  address: H St
  Small but well stocked independent bookstore.

• People's RecordsRecord shop on the Plaza specializing in used vinyl, but carry used CDs as well.

• St. Vincent DePaul Store

  address: K St
  Thrift store, with the usual assortment of clothes, furniture, appliances and kitchenware.

• Tin Can MailmanExcellent two-story used bookstore.

• Wildwood Music

  address: I St
  Fretted and stringed instruments, sheet music, amplifiers, etc.

• Angels of Hope Thrift Store

  phone: +1 707 822-5019
  address: 1309 10th St.
  5,000 square feet of clothes, books, housewares, furniture and craft supplies. A job training location for at-risk youth.

• Ancient Arts

  phone: +1 707-825-8282
  address: 1065 K St
  A mom-and-pop tattooing, piercing, art gallery that looks like a cross between a medieval freak show and a natural history museum.

• Hey Juan's

  address: G Street
  Good burritos.

• La ChiquitaA "taco truck" serving cheap, decent Mexican food. Hit up the BRC (bean, rice, cheese) for the most bang for your buck.

• Wildflower Cafe

  address: G Street
  Well known for its great vegetarian food.

• Wildberries MarketplaceYou can order a deli sandwich or a juice smoothie, or get soup, salad and olives from the bar. There is also an extensive cold case with freshly made dishes ranging from pasta and lasagna to fruit salads and many exotic specialties, as well as daily grilled meats, vegetables and tofu. There is seating at the front of the store, and along the side in a covered patio with a bayside view. Inside the store is also Ramone's Bakery, with lots of fresh breads and pastries, plus coffee and espresso.

• Renata's Creperie

  address: G street
  Has awesome crepes.

• Tomo

  address: 8th Street
  Japanese food.

• Arcata Pizza Deli

  address: H Street
  Has burgers (meat and veggie), pizza, salads and the best Tofu Reuben around. Open late.

• Greenhouse Boardshop and Juice Bar

  address: 8th St
  A surfboard shop-with a cool cafe vibe. Order a panini and smoothie "for here" and watch non-stop surf footage on the big-screen TV.

• Stars

  address: G Street
  Has good burgers (beef and veggie) and the best malts in town.

• The AlibiHas tasty diner fare and good breakfasts with vegetarian options. Rock music most weekends

• RitasServes the best Mexican food in town!

• Moonrise HerbsHas delicious organic soups and salads.

• Porter Street Barbeque

  address: Samoa Blvd (4th St)
  Excellent tri-tip and chicken sandwiches. The barbeque sauce is made there and very yummy.

• 3 foods cafeHas eclectic ethnic food in a cozy atmosphere.

• Live from New YorkServes huge, tasty slices of pizza with yummy salad on the side. Or get a pie to go!

• Los Bagels

  phone: +1 707-822-3150
  address: 1061 I St
  Los Bagels combines a Jewish ethnic tradition with the customs and tastes of Mexico in an outdoor/indoor café that churns with multicultural excitement.

Night life

Arcata's nightlife is condensed into a few square blocks, which is great because you can bar hop without ever having to drive your car; the police like this as well.
There are a couple local venues to catch live music in town some nights, including a couple of the bars on the plaza, Humboldt Brewery (10th & I), Muddy Waters and The Metro on G St., as well as Mosgo's coffee shop in the Westwood neighborhood on Alliance Rd.

• The AlibiA good place to get a local manhattan with an orange twist.

• The Humboldt BreweryA great place to enjoy several of the award-winning micro brews from the Humboldt County area, though they no longer brew beer themselves.

• Redwood Curtain Brewing CompanyThey do tours and have a tasting room. Their beer is available at several places in Arcata and Eureka.

• SidelinesMore popular among the locals but also a fun and exciting bar for anyone to enjoy.

• Toby and Jack'sA laid-back place to meet your friends for a drink.

• Wildberries MarketplaceAlways open until midnight they have a deli and bakery, Ramone's.

• Caffe MokkaNot only is it a small quiet coffee shop that often has live Celtic music, it is home to Arcata's hot tubs. Finnish Country Sauna and Tubs offers private tubs and saunas for solo or group bathers. It is a good idea to bring your own towels.

Coffee shops

• Planet ChaiArcata's own local chai, is available at any of the town's coffeeshops.

• Muddy Waters Coffee Co

  address: G St

• Jitterbean

• Cafe Mokka

• Espresso 101

  address: Valley West

• Mosgo

  address: Alliance Rd

• Greenhouse Boardshop and Juice Bar

  address: 8th St

• Cafe Brio

  address: 8th St

• Days Inn Arcata

  phone: +1 707 822-4861
  address: 4975 Valley West Blvd
  Indoor swimming pool, hearty breakfast and dining at the hotel restaurant, plus complimentary wireless Internet.

• Best Western Arcata Inn

  phone: +1 707 826-0313
  address: 4827 Valley West Blvd

• Fairwinds Motel

  phone: +1 707 822-4824
  address: 1674 G St
  Free wifi, No pets.

• Hotel Arcata

  phone: +1 707 826-0217
  address: 708 9th St
  Historic landmark with great old photos of town in every hallway.

• Motel 6 Arcata - Humboldt University

  phone: +1 707 822-7061
  address: 4755 Valley West Blvd

Listen

• KSLG. Humboldts New Rock - Tune into stream
• KHUM. Radio Without the Rules - Tune into stream
• KHSU. Diverse Public Radio - Tune into stream
• KMUD. Redwood Community Radio - Tune into stream

• Redwood National and State Parks is only a 45-minute drive to the north, with the southern boundary near Orick. Arcata is a great jumping-off point for visiting the ancient ecosystems that are protected inside the park boundary.