The Northern California Coast US Highway-101
Lodging Restaurants	The Eureka / Arcata Area is really Humboldt County California. Humboldt County is 200 miles North of San Francisco and 350 miles South of Portland Oregon. The two larger cities in this area are Eureka and Arcata. Although Eureka and Arcata are only eight miles apart they are decidedly different in character. This page covers the tourist facilities around Highway 101 in Humboldt County from the Northern Humboldt County line approximately 6 miles South of Klamath to the Southern border of Humboldt County just South of Richardson Grove State Park.  This is a distance of 95 air miles and about 140 miles on Highway 101.
	Highway 101 Continues north on our Del Norte County Page Highway 101 is inland from the Ocean Beaches as you enter Humboldt County from the North. The Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is 10 miles South of the County line and 5 miles North of Orick.  It has two campgrounds.  Elk Prairie Campground has 75 campsites, no hookups, max. RV 27 feet.  On-line reservations: www.parks.ca.gov/ or Telephone 1-800-444-7275  Park telephone 707-464-6101 ext. 5101/5301.  Gold Bluffs Beach Campground go 2 miles South on 101 to Davidson R. / Fern Canyon road (gravel road, max. 24’ long, no trailers) go 7 mi. West, 25 campsites, no hookups, no reservations.   It is about 5 miles to Orick. Orick, CA is the first town from the North.  It is considered the gateway to the Redwood National Park  The Visitors center is at Redwood Creek west of Highway 101, it has exhibits and information on the National Park.  The Redwood National Park is in this area.  Visit the National Parks site for further information or a private redwoods parks site we found interesting.  The tallest trees in the world grow here, some 2000 years old and up to 300 feet tall.
Trinidad	Freshwater Lagoon Spit Day use Area – 1 mile South of Orick.  This is an extended gravel pullout on the West side of Highway 101 adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.  Overnight use of this area was recently barred.  Visitors should call 707-464-6101 Ext. 0 for further information Humboldt Lagoons State Park is 5 miles South of Orick.    This is a day use park.  It also has 6 campsites accessible by boat only. Patrick’s Point State Park is about 7 mi. South of Humboldt Lagoons.  It has developed sites and the maximum RV or trailer length is 31 feet.  On-line reservations: www.parks.ca.gov/ or Telephone 1-800-444-7275, Direct Park telephone 707-677-3570.  Of special interest at this park is the reconstructed Native American Village of the Yurok Tribe. The Town of Trinidad is 20 miles South of Orick, CA and 14 miles North of Arcata, CA.  The Trinity exit off of Highway 101 brings you right into the Town Center.  Lodging accommodations abound in Trinidad with a wide variety to select from which reflect the quiet get-away atmosphere of Trinidad.  Visit our Trinidad page for Lodging, Restaurants, and activities in the area.
McKinleyville	McKinleyville is 10 miles South of Trinidad and 4 miles North of Arcata.  At the North end of McKinleyville is the Arcata / Eureka Airport.  There are three exits from Highway 101 into the City, the Airport Road, Murray Road, and School Road.  The Azalea State Reserve with walking paths through wild azaleas and a few picnic tables is located off the Central Ave exit off Highway 101, follow the signs to the park.  McKinleyville also boasts the world’s largest totem pole made from a single tree.  It is located in the McKinleyville Shopping Center at Central Ave and City Center Road.  Visit our McKinleyville Page for more information.
	Arcata is 4 miles South of McKinleyville and 8 miles North of Eureka, CA.  The most impressive attribute of Arcata is its Town Square right in the middle of the downtown area with its Saturday Morning Farmer’s Market.  We try to plan visits to this area so we can be here Saturday morning. Arcata is a college town, Humboldt State University is located here, and the college has a large impact on the community giving it a youthful and progressive feel.  Visit our Arcata page for more information on activities, lodging, and restaurants in this area.
	Eureka is seven miles South of Arcata.  Eureka is the county seat of Humboldt County.  Eureka is the largest town on the Coast between San Francisco and the Oregon Border.  Visit our Eureka Page for more information about Eureka.  Eureka is 200 miles North of San Francisco and 350 miles South of Portland, Oregon.  The Downtown Historical District of Eureka is a “must see” area on the coast.  This district is larger than you would expect and has been beautifully restored.  There are unique shops, lodging, and Restaurants in the district.  The City of Eureka is full of interesting things to do make sure to allot a good portion of your traveling time to this area.  Eureka has a plethora of Restaurants and Lodging for your enjoyment.
	Ferndale lies about 7 miles West of Highway 101 and Fernbridge, where you turn to go to Ferndale is about 15 miles South of Eureka.  Ferndale is a National Historic Site and we highly recommend a side trip to Ferndale to see this restored Victorian City.
	Fortuna is 17 miles South of Eureka.  Farmers, lumbermen and the merchants that supply them established Fortuna in 1875.  Fortuna was originally named Springville because of the numerous springs in the valley around the area.  The Town is nestled in the Eel River Valley.  Fortuna has six motels and over 160 places to eat, shop, stay, or enjoy.  They have a 3 mile long maintained gravel path along the river.  The 55 acre Rohnerville Park offers free day use with play equipment, picnicking, Depot Museum, and Bicentennial Redwood Grove.
	Scotia is a company owned mill town, one of the last remaining mill towns in America,  built entirely of Redwood lumber.  The Pacific Lumber Company owns the town and has the world largest Redwood lumber mill here.  There offer free self guided mill tours on working days.  They also have a steelhead rearing pond.  There is an Historic Logging Museum, it is open in the Summer Months Monday through Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM.  It has photographs and relics from old logging camps.  The Scotia shopping center is open to the public with groceries, shops, and antiques.
	Mile Post 564 – Redway / Garberville is the first Town in Humboldt County when entering from the South.  Although we have not visited Garberville yet there is one place of lodging that comes highly recommended and we thought we’d give you the opportunity to see it.  The Benbow Inn is a unique facility on Benbow Lake.  For more information about Garberville visit the Chamber of Commerce web site. Benbow Lake State Park is on Benbow Lake
	Mile Post 557 – Richardson Grove State Park is the first park you encounter when entering Humboldt County from the South on Highway 101. Mile Post 553 – Humboldt County / Mendocino County Line This is the Southern End of our Humboldt County Area Page US Highway 101 continues south on our Mendocino County Area Page
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