Overview
Arcata is a city in the North Coast of California. 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.
1 sights · 4 things to do · 12 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Arcata
Cal Poly Humboldt Natural History Museum
Cal Poly Humboldt
Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary
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 o…
Redwood Park
Great biking trails, also, hiking trails, and the best playgrounds in town.
Arcata plaza
One 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 …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 100°F; winter lows dip to about 37°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Redding)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ACV California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport, Arcata/Eureka — 8 mi away. Directions
- CEC Jack Mc Namara Field Airport, Crescent City — 64 mi away. Directions
- SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 200 mi away (major hub). Directions
Arcata Transit Center, 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:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cal Poly Humboldt Natural History Museum, Arcata plaza, Cal Poly Humboldt
- Lunch Los Bagels
- Afternoon Redwood Park, Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dinner Hey Juan's
- Evening Humboldt Brews
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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
Get in
By car
- & : There are two highway to Arcata: the 101, which runs north and south. Arcata is 7 hours south of Portland and 5 hours north of San Francisco. Highway 299 runs to Redding, 3 hours east, where it connects to Interstate 5.
- 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
Arcata Transit Center, 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:
Go Amtrak Thruway Motor Coach (Rt #7)
Connects McKinleyville (via Arcata, Eureka, Willits, Ukiah, Santa Rosa, Napa, Vallejo, etc) to the Amtrak Gold Runner and Capitol Corridor trains in Martinez. Tickets on this bus are only available for connections to Amtrak trains.
Go Redwood Transit System (RTS) (Humboldt County Transit Authority)
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.
Go Redwood Coast Transit Rt #20 (RCT) (Del Norte County Public Transit)
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).
By plane
- Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) is a regional civil aviation and commercial airport located 8 mi north, in the town of McKinleyville, serving McKinleyville, Arcata, Eureka and other cities and towns in Humboldt County. The airport is served by:
* Skywest Airlines as United Express (San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver). * Breeze Airways (Begins March 2026) (Burbank, Las Vegas and Provo Municipal Airport) * Alaska Airlines (Begins April 2026) (Seattle-Tacoma) * Click this link for a list of on-airport rental car companies.
Get around
- 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 Cal Poly Humboldt, the Arcata Community Forest, or the Arcata Marsh. A remarkable walking experience would be walking in the Community Forest alongside The Jolly Giant stream. Remember respecting Nature, it's precious here!
- 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.
See
- 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.
Do
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 public sculptures.
Do Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary
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.
Do Arcata plaza
One 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.
Buy
Shop People's Records
Record shop on the Plaza specializing in used vinyl, but carry used CDs as well.
Shop Ancient Arts
A mom-and-pop tattooing, piercing, art gallery that looks like a cross between a medieval freak show and a natural history museum.
Eat
Eat La Chiquita
A "taco truck" serving cheap, decent Mexican food. Hit up the BRC (bean, rice, cheese) for the most bang for your buck.
Eat Wildflower Cafe
Well known for its great vegetarian food.
Eat Wildberries Marketplace
You 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.
Eat Arcata Pizza Deli (APD)
Has burgers (meat and veggie), pizza, salads and the best Tofu Reuben around. Open late.
Eat Stars
Has good burgers (beef and veggie) and the best malts in town.
Eat Ritas
Popular place in town that serves the widest variety of Mexican food in town. Their huaraches are tasty.
Eat Moonrise Herbs
Has delicious organic soups and salads.
Eat Live from New York
Serves huge, tasty slices of pizza with yummy salad on the side. Or get a pie to go!
Eat Los Bagels
Los Bagels combines a Jewish ethnic tradition with the customs and tastes of Mexico in an outdoor/indoor café that churns with multicultural excitement.
Drink
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 and Humboldt Brewery (10th & I).
Drink Humboldt Brews
A great place to enjoy several of the award-winning micro brews from the Humboldt County area, though they no longer brew beer themselves.
Drink Redwood Curtain Brewing Company
They do tours and have a tasting room. Their beer is available at several places in Arcata and Eureka.
Coffee shops
Drink Angie's Chai
Arcata's own local chai, is available at any of the town's coffeeshops.
Drink Caffe Mokka
Not 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.
Sleep
Go next
- 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.
Nearby
Blue Lake
City / town · 2 listings · 5 mi away
McKinleyville
City / town · 5 listings · 6 mi away
Eureka
City / town · 24 listings · 6 mi away
Trinidad
City / town · 10 listings · 14 mi away
Fortuna
City / town · 7 listings · 19 mi away
Ferndale
City / town · 4 listings · 22 mi away
Scotia
City / town · 2 listings · 27 mi away
Redwood National Park
Park · 20 listings · 39 mi away
My experience
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