NorthwestPlaces.com - Town of McKinleyville, CA

The Town of McKinleyville, CA

McKinleyville is on the Pacific Coast of Northern California

McKinleyville is 10 miles South of Trinidad and 4 miles North of Arcata.

The Arcata / Eureka Airport is located at the North end of McKinleyville. There are three exits from Highway 101 into the City, the Airport Road, Murray Road, and School Road. The main street through town is Central Avenue.

The Azalea State Reserve with walking paths through wild azaleas and a few picnic tables is located off the Central Ave exit of 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.

We recommend the following Espresso Stand:

Tastebuds Sandwiches & Espresso – 2011 Central Ave.

In the 1860’s a rancher named Joe Dow started a city between the Madd and Little Rivers. The town became known as Minorsville. In 1897 it became a real town when a Post Office and General Store was built. After the death of President McKinley in 1901 the city decided to rename itself in honor of the President. Today McKinleyville has a population of around 13,000. The photo shows Central Avenue and show how McKinleyville has built low with wide open spaces giving the town a very casual feeling. Horses still have the right-of-way in this town and the locals are proud of it.

The mix of life styles in McKinleyville varies widely from affordable apartments on the East side of the Highway to very expensive ocean front homes on the West side of the highway. We found the city comfortable and friendly. The most interesting thing about McKinleyville is the weather, it is cool and foggy here a lot yet inland just a few miles the temperature can be 20 degrees warmer. When the sun does come out here the sky and the ocean will take your breath away.

Clam Beach County Park is located at the North End of the City on the Ocean Beach. This is one of the more unique parks we have found on the California Coast in that they allow camping right on the beach. As with most driving on the beach situations, we would not recommend larger RV’s and trailers here because the access to the beach is a little bumpy and you’d be in trouble in soft sand. Also this location seems to attract some rather interesting characters.

The area to the North is the Trinidad Area

The area to the South is the Arcata Area

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