Oyster festival was wonderful! I had a great time this year, there was a wonderful selection of…read moreoysters cooked or uncooked- every way imaginable! My favorite was sushi spot's- soy and chili with daikon radish shooters! It was a windy but the weather here is unpredictable, the first half of the day it was really hot outside. I really enjoyed myself and I got to try lots of oysters as well as other kinds of food. The lines moved pretty fast. The only thing I could say I didn't like was the cost of beer and wine was pretty steep- about seven dollars per drink in small plastic cups. The oysters where more affordable than any of the beer or wine was. The square was very crowded but everyone was nice, and it was enjoyable to see everyone so interested and enthusiastic about the local oyster business.

As a resident of Arcata I've got to say I'm really disappointed at this year's Oyster Festival, at…read moreleast the part on Saturday. We paid an entry fee so we could go stand in super long, hot, dusty, and disorganized lines. Not much shade to be had, not a seat to be seen. Overhyped and oversold. Barely were able to get beers, and that was so exhausting that waiting in another ginormous line for oysters was impossible. We left without even finishing our beers. Definitely will not be doing this again, and will warn others off as well. Unless ... unless the organizers think about the people's experience and not just how to pack them in like cattle at a feed lot. And what's with not having it at the Arcata Plaza on a Sunday (so as not to compete with the incredibly well-organized Arcata farmers market)? Don't anyone tell me it's about COVID, because the way this was set up it was a super-spreader event. The events at the Plaza were way better than that animal pen.

This amazing race if you will - is truly just that. Once a year, on Memorial weekend, folks from…read moreall over Humboldt county and beyond gather together to bare witness to the awesomeness that is the Kinetic Sculpture Grand Championship Race. This decades long, monumental event requires not only weeks and months or years of preparation on the part of the contestants and their machines. Fans line the route for miles and miles just to catch a glimpse of what is about to unfold. The Kinetic Grand Championship is a 3-day, 42-mile bicycle race over land, sand, mud and water. Many refer to the Kinetic Grand Championship as the "Triathlon of the Art World." Day 1 of the Kinetic Grand Championship starts on the Plaza in Arcata, California at the noon whistle every Memorial Day weekend. The racers take off to the Manila dunes, where they race through miles of sand to the great and inevitable "Deadman's Drop." Then on to Eureka's downtown gazebo. Day 2 starts in Eureka at the waterfront on the Humboldt Bay, where brave Kinetic Pilots race their crafts through the water (most float). Then back on land where kinetic sculptures go up Hookton Hill, a 1 mile-7% incline and decline. Day 2 ends with a private campout for racers and volunteers only. Day 3 starts from the mouth of the Eel River, through Morgan slough and onto dry land. Racers cross the finish line on Ferndale's historic Mainstreet, where racers park and head up to the Final Awards Dinner at Ferndale's Fireman's Hall. This weekend long, three day event draws fans, followers and media far and wide - just for the moment when these amazing machines and their crews and occupants roll by - many fans following their favorites for miles. What is a Kinetic Sculpture? Kinetic Sculptures are all-terrain human-powered art sculptures that are engineered to race over road, water, mud and sand. Kinetic sculptures are amazing works of art; many are animated with moving parts like blinking eyes, opening mouths, heads that move side to side and up and down. Kinetic Sculptures are usually made from what some people consider "junk". But one man's junk is another racer's raw material. Each Kinetic Sculpture is a work of art and each racing team has its own theme. The teams consist of pilots, pit crew and pee-ons. Kinetic Pilots pedal the sculpture and steer, the pit crew assists the pilots in transforming the vehicle for the various elements and fixing mechanical issues, and pee-ons, well, they do whatever is needed for the team to get glory. The teams give out "bribes" to their adoring spectators, judges and Rutabaga Royalty. Spectators are encouraged to follow the race on their bikes (obeying all traffic laws that apply please). Seeing these marvels of art and engineering turns many people on to bike culture and reminds people how much fun riding your bike can be! This event is not to be missed! If you are ever find yourself in Arcata on Memorial weekend, or you just feel the need to see it for yourself. And just one more thing that makes Arcata and coastal northern California such a cool and wonderful place to live. A 5 STAR Festival & Community Event. 00125

Very fun spectator sport, and I am inspired to someday compete! This is a three day activity where…read morewe can observe the contestants self power their vehicles over land, sand (Deadman's Drop where having your vehicle tumble down a very steep sand dune qualifies as part of the event), and sea! There are festivities each day, both bore and after the daily competition, which are fun for all.

A grand old art deco 1930s movie theater now in its 75th year standing but in much need of a face…read morelift. The components are all there - this beauty just needs a little help. On the national historical registry since 2010. the wife and I were there one evening recently for an ArMack Orchestra performance, the sound within the auditorium is very good and I'm sure in her prime she was a grand venue, but this building has definitely seen better days. The first thing I noticed was the "mushy" smell when you walk into this large space - mold, dust and disrepair are apparent. The art deco interior is still very much there and intact - mostly just needs an update after all the years of neglect. Great stylized cut glass wall sconces, and stylized cut glass overhead light fixtures along with the lobby entrance and foyer details reveal just how great this grand structure was back in its day. High ceiling soar overhead and two huge murals - left and right of the stage reminded me that this used to be a place where people in the town gathered regularly in a different era. This space is now a multicultural facility for the performing arts and monthly movies. Also available for rent for special events, weddings, parties, concerts, etc. This is a special place within old Town downtown Eureka that needs to be used to keep her alive, and is in need of some loving restoration to keep around for future generations. Still a 4 Star venue for all of its awesome architectural details that still exist after seven plus decades. And, a venue that has the potential to be a true 5 star gem - with a little help. 00127

If you're not coming here to watch films, you're missing out! This non-profit art deco theater is…read moreentirely volunteer run and is in the process of being lovingly restored. They feature awesome programming like "Science on Screen," when science lectures accompany sci-fi films, and live scores by musicians such as the Invisible Czars. Visiting the theater for their monthly noir night has become one of my favorite activities since moving to the area. Definitely grab a local beer, cider, glass of wine or speciality cocktail while viewing a flick--all proceeds go toward the theater's restoration. Rumors has it that the theater will soon have it's own deco Air BnB for rent upstairs--can't wait to recommend it to out of town visitors :)

The kick off event at Humboldt Cider Co was a blast. There was live music and great drinks so I can…read moreonly imagine what the rest of the week will be like. There are international artists from as far as Argentina and as close as Canada. If you are in town make sure to check out one of the mural paintings around town or stop by Humboldt Cider for daily art walks at 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. The event ends with a block party on August 3rd that includes a kid zone, multiple beer gardens, and local vendors.

Always so helpful and kind,very nice variety to choose from. One of the better priced lots around.read more

The best Christmas Trees in Humboldt. Always fresh and beautiful. The owners and staff are…read morewonderful.

One of the things that makes the north coast the cool place to live that it is. Once a year area…read morebusinesses and artists gather together to celebrate the beginning of the fall season, share beautiful art and raise money for worthy local charities. Pastels on the Plaza takes place the first Saturday in October in the center of downtown Arcata. Spaces around the city plaza's sidewalk are "purchased" by area businesses and these donations go to support worthy local charity organizations, as well artists from all over the region converge on this downtown Arcata landmark event as they have for decades, early that morning to create amazing temporary works of art out of pastel chalk in these spaces. Artists young and old, groups and singles, couples and friends - amateur and professional all comes together to create, share and celebrate - life on the north coast - this is an amazing community event. This Saturday morning - cool and crisp, you can feel fall in the air. We arrive at about 8:15ish, check in, get our tools and supplies and go pick our space - we have a double space this year - representing a local town business. It's looking to be a great day on the plaza. There are people everywhere - young and old - pro and amateur all creating art for a great cause - the children of the California north coast area. The day was filled with live music, food, art and community. Children playing everywhere - people enjoying the market and art - artists catching up often only seeing each other once a year at this event. This first Saturday in October has been another great day. This event is one of the things that truly makes this community an amazing place to live... A real gem 5 Star event. 00102

Super awesome event and fundraiser for the local community. Incredible artwork and fun to watch the…read morecreations come alive. Some of them really pop with color and super vivid for pastels on pavement. I love walking around afterwards, an outside gallery of local talent.

Amazing group of neighbors sharing what they grow, craft and make. Some are businesses but some are…read morehobby farms and all seem to want to share. I had a great time in and among the community. It reminded me of how much I miss living in Humboldt County

Loved to see local food producers selling their goods directly to the public. Didn't love that…read moreprices are so high. ($6 for a pint of strawberries? A few hours later I paid $4 from a farmer's food stand along the highway, and OMG were they delicious!) The music is very nice while you're browsing the square block of vendor stalls arranged along the perimeter of the plaza. The music is painful when you're right next to the speakers in the center, where the food venders are. Bought some fantastic bread from Beck's Bakery, and some wonderful, fresh veggies from a local organic grower. Tried 3 food vendors; 1 was great, 1 was good, 1 was a waste of $16 (for my tastes, anyway).