Small northern California town with Victorian architecture by the sea
Referred to as the “Victorian Seaport,” Eureka is a tiny coastal city in Humboldt County, known for its 19th-century architecture and location behind the so-called “Redwood Curtain.” The curtain, an isolated region of dense forestland, covers the city, which was incorporated in 1856 after settlers came looking for gold. With its access to massive Sequoias and Redwoods, Eureka became a top producer in the logging industry, and tons of intricate Victorian homes. Today, leading industries include education, with Cal Poly Humboldt University nearby, and cannabis as more business owners coming to the area. “I think the people that live here really embrace not trying to be perfect,” says Miguel Guerrero, communications coordinator for the city of Eureka. "You come here to experience nature, and people are comfy in whatever hiking clothes they have.” Besides the outdoor activities, people are drawn here for the relatively affordable lifestyle and stay for the strong communal vibe. “It feels like you don’t have to make plans with friends, you just bump into them anyways walking around town,” Guerrero says.
The Woodley Island Marina is a beautiful site to see for Fairfield.
Enjoy great shops for the hole family in Rosewood at Henderson Center.
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Multiple styles and housing development plans in Eureka
Eureka is made up of a handful of small communities. In 2024, the city started the Name Your Neighborhood Project for residents, since there are no official names for neighborhoods in the city. The median price for single-family homes is $410,000, slightly lower than the national median of about $420,000. Left over from the Gold Rush period, over 1,000 Victorian homes from the 19th century are found in the city. Areas like City Center and Broadway Street have these properties, with their distinct bay windows and lacey white trimming. Other communities like Old Town have unique and brightly colored Queen Annes. One of the most notable is the four-story Carson Mansion, constructed in 1884. The national landmark has green ornamental pillars and stained-glass panels; Walt Disney reportedly referred to it in many of his animated designs. Along with Victorians, several post-war ranch-style, cottages and modern traditional homes were built in the 1940s and ‘50s.
Realtor for C.B. Commercial Pacific Partners, JB Mathers says Eureka’s housing situation has gone through ups and downs. “We were one of the hottest markets with the COVID boom. People were leaving and coming here—values went up,” he says. Now, the city is making ongoing efforts build more affordable housing as homelessness becomes more of a concern.
The Carson Mansion is a famous Eureka attraction near Fairfield.
Fairfield offers many Victorian-style homes to choose from.
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Strolling through tree groves at Sequoia Park
Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and Headwaters Forest Reserve, Eureka has no shortage of scenic outdoor spots and parks. The 60-acre Sequoia Park has bike trails through Redwood forestry, playgrounds and two small creeks; its Sequoia Park Zoo is the oldest and one of the smallest in California. It’s known for its Redwood Skywalk, where visitors take self-guided tours on dangling bridges among the towering Sequoia trees. The Eureka Waterfront Trail stretches for 7 miles and is a go-to place for walking, biking and rollerblading near salt marshes. Locals can also visit Samoa Beach across the bay for surfing and beachcombing. Guerrero says the city is hoping to finish the Da’Yas Park Project, which will feature ADA walkways and other inclusive play equipment, by 2026.
Locals enjoy the trails through Sequoia Park under the Redwood Sky Walk.
Rosewood residents head to Samoa Beach for dog walks and Pacific Ocean sunsets.
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An artsy city with events in Old Town
Eureka has a lively arts culture, and Old Town is the center of it. Dozens of quirky murals are splattered on Neolithic brick buildings from 2nd to 6th Street, and there are several small galleries. From June to August, the community hosts Friday Night Markets in the historic area; attendees browse through several maker’s markets selling jewelry and artwork and dance in the street to live music. Arts Alive is another highly-attended event held every first Saturday of the month, where galleries, businesses and restaurants stay open late, and the Morris Graves Museum of Art offers free admission to guests. One of the most popular events in all of Humboldt County is the Kinetic Grand Championship, dubbed the “Triathlon of the Art World.” On Memorial Day weekend, teams of sculptors build a mobile piece of artwork using metal scraps, wood boards and anything else they can find. Artists then race each other on their contraptions, peddling through 50 miles of road, river and mud in Arcata, Eureka and Ferndale.
Music and art emphasis at Eureka Senior High
The city is served by Eureka City Schools, which scores an overall B grade from Niche. The district includes nine schools, and Eureka Senior High is one of its most populated with almost 1,300 students. The school is known for its agriculture department, and in 2024, it was awarded its FFA Charters from the national organization. Visual and performing arts are also a big focus at Eureka High; students can perfect their skills in graphic design and pottery or join a vocal jazz performance group. Mathers says the A-rated St. Bernard’s Academy is a popular private school choice for parents. It covers grades 7 through 12 and offers classes from the local College of the Redwoods curriculum. California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt is also nearby in Arcata a few miles north.
Eureka High School offers a wide range of athletic programs.
Cal Poly Humboldt State College is walking distance from Downtown-Uniontown.
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Prioritizing local in Eureka
Old Town is the epicenter for shopping and dining in Eureka. “People take a lot of pride in being local and supporting local,” Mathers says. Loads of small clothing boutiques, novelty stores and gift shops line the streets, and many storefronts have Victorian architecture. Folks can also stop by several cafes or try fresh seafood. Oysters are a sought-after item, having been harvested in the area for generations. Residents can visit the seasonal Old Town Farmers Market and Henderson Center Farmers’ Market for farm-raised goods and assorted plants. There are co-ops, grocery chain stores and Asian and Latino markets scattered throughout town. For big box retail and chain stores, the indoor Bayshore Mall is set on the eastern side by the waterfront.
Pepper galore are found in Eureka at the Old Town Farmers' Market.
Manila is a short drive to Humboldt Bay Provisions which specializes in bay oysters.
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Extending bike lanes throughout the city
U.S. Route 101 runs along the northern and western borders of the Eureka, and California State Route 225 crosses over Arcata Bay to other nearby islands. Many residents drive to get around, and Guerrero says there’s little to no traffic most of the day. Streets here are laid out in a grid, and there are bike lanes on some major roads like West Henderson Street and 6th Street. Eureka Transit Service buses stop along the western portion of the city. Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka is near the center of town, and California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport is 15 miles north.
Petty crimes and some flood risks
While 2024 annual crime statistics and reports aren’t readily available, the Eureka Police Department announced the adoption of a new crime reporting system called the National Incident-Based Reporting System, per a late 2023 article by the local newspaper, Times Standard. According to the article, 70% of reported crimes in 2023 were either theft from motor vehicles or shoplifting, and there were seemingly no reports of violent crime. “It’s a small town where people are looking out for each other,” Guerrero says. “Petty crime exists in our town just as much as anywhere else."
Eureka has wet winters and dry summers. Because it’s on the coast, some days can be foggy, and major flooding can occur, especially from November to March. Humboldt County recommends placing sandbag barriers around the home and keeping a basic first aid kid in case of emergencies. Eureka has a lower fire risk than more southern parts of California, but Guerrero says it’s still something the city takes seriously.
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