So. Many. SAND DOLLARS!! It's mind blowing - every few feet there's another one, and another one,…read moreand another one!! And this is probably the first California beach I've ever had all to myself! I think I saw 1-2 other people and that was it...fantastic!! I visited in March as part of my Redwoods trip...it's easy to get to along the Redwoods Coast - highly recommend if you're in the area. It was cloudy, cold, and windy - but that made it even more gorgeous! Very cozy...I loved it! The colors were dramatic and waves were angry - such a mood!! To get to the beach, you have to walk over a stretch of sand dunes dotted with clumps of beach grass. And then it's wide open beach after that. Lots of shorebirds, sand dollars, and shells to keep you occupied. There are looming mountains off in the distance. So photogenic! There's a small-ish parking lot (I didn't see any bathrooms) with a gate that indicates the entrance to the beach walk. Before you get to the parking lot, there's a yellow sort of gate area that they close at a certain time every evening - there are plenty of signs to tell you what time it closes and don't get caught behind it after hours or you'll have to call the cops and get towed! Apparently, down the other road to the right of the gate takes you to a boat ramp and horse staging area. Be sure to make a stop at the nearby Mad River Bridge too - you can miss it!! Totally worth it - especially since you're already in the area (see my bridge review - it has a cool history and views)!

This beach hold many memories of bon fire nights with friends along with star gazing nights…read more Beware this beach is open sunrise to sunset so make sure to park outside the fenced area if you want to stay after closing. Also be careful when waking in the areas where folks have bon fires by the beach, there are many sharp objects such as construction nails and such especially since people prefer to use wood pallets for bon fires. Back in the day there way no fenced area so it was fairly easy to stumble on rocks or sharp grass back to the car especially if a friend had too much to drink. Once in awhile you will see dark objects bobbing their heads in the water. Don't be too alarmed it might be a seal. I wasn't sure at first but I made sure to zoom in on my camera ;-)

This place is such a beautiful place to go hiking, to take your four legged friend, or to go…read morehorseback riding. There are the Ma-le'l Dunes North and the Me-le'l Dunes South, both of which have lots of different trails. We hiked around in the the sand dunes on a trail that led to the beach and it was a beautiful hike. It was nice to hang out on the beach and watch the waves. You can walk along the beach and it's nice that there isn't many people around. We also hiked up the dunes to where the spruce trees met the forest. It was fascinating to see trees in the sand and where the dunes and the forest meet up close. This was such a fun place to explore! There is plenty of parking. There is a bathroom near where you park and doggy bags. Please bring your own doggy bags and leave no trace! This is a beautiful place worth exploring!

We went to the South dunes. North dunes was closed…read more It was pretty nice where my kids rolled around the sand. Unable to sled down with a cardboard box though.

How the heck did I forget to review this glorious beach considering I was the one that put this bad…read moreboy on the map!? Have you ever been to Thailand? If not, this is that kind of beach that reminds me of something you would see in Thailand. It's just one of those beauties that is all natural and untouched. It always takes my breath away as I pass through the entry trail. Cool Things: - Parking isn't difficult to find if you just drive along the coast - You may see horseback riding here - It is such a peaceful place to take a long walk that seems to never end My hubby and I would come here almost everyday when we first moved out here. I must say, this was one of those places that gave us the kind of self-reflecting we needed to provide us self-healing. Truly, I am grateful to live so close to this dreamland.

Quick little drive from Eureka and plenty of space to share a beach front. Love to go there for a…read morequiet day at the beach.

Just finished my second weeklong stay here and everything was absolutely perfect! The cottage is…read morebeautiful, wonderfully decorated (I wish my own place looked so nice) and in such a great location in Arcata. It's just up the street from Wildberries (a gourmet grocery store) and so easy to get to from any location in Arcata/Eureka/McKinleyville. The kitchen has everything you need, and it was so nice to be able to make my own breakfasts every morning. Elly always makes renting the place so easy and I'm delighted to be able to stay there instead of renting a nondescript hotel room. So happy that this lovely cottage exists!

From the owner: We provide a beautiful, clean, comfortable vacation home located in the heart of Arcata.read more

Had a wonderful time. Big Foot made sure we had fun while maintaining high safety standards. If you…read moreare a first timer in kayaking would recommend Big Foot .

I am a total beginner and just starting target shooting two months ago. I took the Beginner to…read moreFirearms class and I loved this course! I can't begin to list all of the things I learned. My instructor was very well versed and accredited to teach the course. He was also extremely patient with us newbies and took into account that we each had different body types and physical abilities. I especially appreciated the philosophy of the importance of safety at every moment. There were certainly little nuances I would not have thought of on my own. Best of all, it was REALLY FUN! I got to shoot 21 different firearms and it facilitated my understanding of what works for me and what I'd like to explore more. I recommend this course for anyone who is new to the sport or even the old dogs with rusty skills. I'm now an old dog with new skills and appreciation.

Rare and wild dunes north west of Arcata. Lanphere Dunes are accessible only by permit or guided…read moretours. To obtain a permit visitors must first attended a guided tour. Lanphere Dunes on the Samoa Peninsula near Arcata is the northernmost dunes unit that is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The beach at Lanphere is open during daylight hours for those who are walking north from Ma-le'i Dunes. The beach here runs continuously in both directions so once on the beach it is hard to tell where separate dunes unit boundaries are. Pets are not allowed. Contact Friends of the Dunes for a guided tour schedule (707) 444-1397 or visit www.friendsofthedunes.org.

Another hidden gem on the dunes thats rarely accessed or used, this was true on the afternoon of my…read morevisit. Literally unoccupied the whole area was mine unto myself. Permits required for access, the Friends of the Dunes are the caretakers of this natural refuge that is maintained by the US Fish and Wildlife Servuce aa a part of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The solitude, sernenity, the sandy dunes rolling towards the ocean, the brisk winds blowing off the Pacific Ocean made for a moment where you realize how immense, beautiful and powerful mother nature truly is. This pristine area spans several miles in both directions, and there are no boundaries from one dune area to the next so make a note as to where you enter or you may exit a substantial distance from where you began. A guided tour is available through the FotD if you prefer can be schduled as well. Another great hidden gem far behind the Redwood Curtain and one more reason this place is the unique place it is on the far north coast in northern California. 4.5 Stars - rounded up for the sheer beauty this area holds on the Pacific Ocean 00715

Its very affordable. In all fairness, I'm giving 2 stars because I heard it is under new…read moremanagement. Maybe it will improve. The website photos are not recent. I thought it looked great online. I was very surprised when we arrived to see dead grass, weeds, dilapidated RVs, potholes, and broken down outbuildings. The check in office has empty drink fridges and random empty displays. The staff; I walked in and signed my paperwork and picked up my space assignment. Our spot had someone in it. We have a 38' motorhome towing a jeep, as I told them when I made reservations. The spot was much too small anyway. We found a spit that worked and the gal in the office made some changes to make it work. Much appreciated. We did not stay all the nights we paid for. It was not a pleasant place to hang out and relax. Its my hope that the management can make changes. The park has good bones

Stay far away! We stayed there on pictures on a website and well the pictures have to be so old. I…read morethought how fun huge checkers and chess, Mini golf park for my child and the dogs. The hose sprinkler was in that area only and left on for days so it was all flooded and mildewed. Mini golf was flooded since it also was in that area. The dog park was full of dead grass like the rest of the resort tons of poop and fleas. After 2 days of being there both are dogs had fleas, and one had a fox tale in his paw. FYI vet bills are not cheap for this removal and sedation. We called the office one day before going to let them know we should be there by 6:15pm no one answered all day and the next day. While there I personally walked to the office at different times and every time the sign said closed. This park is full of long term residents that had there spots looking so over grown with weeds and one RV the full 4 days we were there was leaking water out the back. I knocked on the door no answer and this is why I was going to the office. I do not normally see water pouring from a RV. I was hoping it wasn't flooded. The people next to us left after one day because it was so disgusting and dirty. This place is such a missed opportunity of a great place to stay. It is small enough to be redone and revamped.

My cousin is a river guide for Redwoods and Rivers and when we wanted to do a multi-family,…read moremulti-day trip he hooked us up! We all had such a good time with them. Their site and cabins are comfortable, clean, and cozy. It's such a treat to have delicious breakfasts and dinners al fresco, under a canopy of tall trees. There are a variety of options for ingredients for your sandwiches on the river and delicious, homemade salsa. Michael and Wanda are great hosts making sure you have everything you need. The rafting equipment is well maintained. Our evenings were topped off sitting around a campfire. Anyone would be fortunate to spend time a couple of days with Redwoods and Rivers.

**** Ask for driving directions. Address does not show up appropriately on apple maps. ****…read more GREAT EXPERIENCE.... Even for beginners. Our group was age 10 - 64 and everyone survived :-) *** request Chris *** I guess I didn't realize how potentially dangerous it was until a couple of our teenagers fell out of the raft during a rapid.... But they were ok... Only bruises and some scrapes. They would do it all over again.... Falls and all. We went on a Class III tour which included Class I - III rapids. It's sort of "medium adventurous". If you have a lot of younger or older people in your group, you are probably good sticking with a Class I - II tour. But you will be safe during a Class III if you tell your guide that you can't swim, don't want to be thrown from the raft, etc. TIPS: DRINK A LOT OF WATER, show up early, expect to be exhausted the next day, expect to do a little hiking / climbing during lunch, Bring sunscreen, get one of those things that help your sunglasses stay around your neck because you will lose them, wear a visor or a cap under your helmet, bring cash to tip your guide because they do a hell of a job and they only make $100/day. IT'S A LOT OF FUN and the owners are really nice people.

My husband and I stayed at the Carriage House in Arcata for three months. We really felt…read morecomfortable and enjoyed the community a lot. The studio is bright, cozy and has everything we needed. I gave a four-star rating because we did have a few internet issues during our stay. Also, a couch and updated TV would make it that much better. Mary was easy to contact and responsive. I recommend using Humboldt Vacation Rentals.

From the owner: $140/nt +tax/cleaning…read more This bright and sunny new studio is at the top of a hill overlooking Arcata, and it has beautiful views of the bay through the big front windows. It is a short walk to Humboldt State University and the Community Redwood Forest, or to downtown Arcata for local shops, restaurants, grocery stores. Our studio is newly redone with white carpets in the living area, oriental rugs, and a fully equipped kitchen with lots of counter space. There is comfortable queen-sized bed with cotton sheets and down comforter. There is a folding futon pad and bedding for an additional guest. All of our vacation rental homes are meticulously cleaned with non-toxic environmentally friendly products and left sparkling clean for your arrival. Our places are regularly maintained by a outgoing team of family and friends who perform all the maintenance themselves, and strive to provide the best experience possible for your stay, with helpful recommendations on the areas activities and dining options. We also have 2 studios, a 2 bedroom Craftsman Home, the Redwood Bungalow, and a 4 bedroom Victorian available. Contact us for more information.