City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Eureka, California
Filled with natural attractions, native wildlife and the giant redwood forests and adventurous spirit of the Pacific Northwest, the Northern California port city of Eureka is a terrific destination for boaters and outdoor enthusiasts. Water-based activities include Pacific Ocean fishing charters and Humboldt Bay kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, paddleboarding and sightseeing excursions aboard the early-1900s Madaket ferry.
Eureka is located about 270 miles north of San Francisco on California’s redwood coast, which lies along the Pacific Ocean, Arcata Bay and Humboldt Bay. The Old Town district overlooks the bay and welcomes visitors with a vintage scene of horse-drawn carriages, colorful murals and Victorian homes like the Queen Anne-style Carson Mansion and the 1889 Pink Lady.
Whether you’re hiking the 6-mile-long Eureka Waterfront Trail, hanging out at a private boat dock rental or fishing and birdwatching at the 3,000-acre Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll find a wide array of things to do in Eureka. Humboldt Bay has marinas with boat ramps for those trailering a boat.
Sequoia Park Forest & Garden
Photo: Sequoia Park Zoo (Facebook)
Photo: Sequoia Park Zoo (Facebook)
Sequoia Park is home to 64 acres of giant redwoods. Walking and biking trails wind through redwood forests and meadows. There’s a duck pond, playgrounds, picnic tables, restrooms and a gazebo bandstand. The garden section features beautiful flowers like dahlias and rhododendrons, along with a wishing well and a gazebo.
Sequoia Park Zoo
Photo: Sequoia Park Zoo (Facebook)
The Sequoia Park Zoo, established in 1907, is located next to Sequoia Park. Spend time visiting pandas, otters, monkeys and more. There’s a walk-through aviary and a petting area at this fun spot. It’s a great place to visit from a private boat slip for rent if you have animal lovers or kids in your crew.
Photo: Redwood Sky Walk (Facebook)
One of the most unique attractions in this area is the Redwood Sky Walk. You can get to it through the zoo. One tticke tallows for entrance to both attractions. This walkway is a series of platforms and bridges built 100 feet off the ground. It weaves through the forests of redwoods, grand fir and sitka spruce for about ¼ of a mile to the end and back. Learn about the redwoods and take in magnificent views of the forest floor and canopy as you walk.
Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
Photo: Wikimedia
Established as a military site in 1853, Fort Humboldt State Historic Park sits on a hill overlooking Humboldt Bay. Visit the museum and its exhibits of 19th and mid-20th-century logging equipment like locomotives and steam engines as well as a dugout canoe and other Native American artifacts. There’s a visitor center, walking trails and restrooms.
Morris Graves Museum of Art
Photo: Morris Graves Museum of Art (Facebook)
If you’re ready for an indoor attraction, spend an afternoon at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. It features a wide variety of permanent and traveling exhibits of paintings, ceramics, photographs and more by local and Pacific Northwest artists. Special events include art and music nights and afternoon jazz sessions. Visit the Romano Gabriel Sculpture Garden before heading back to a marina or private boat dock rental.
Hopefully you’ve found some new places to visit in the Eureka area. If you’re ever anchored at a private boat lift for rent, be sure to check them out. Let us know your favorites!
