Arcata, CA
Created | Updated Mar 5, 2002
Arcata, California is a small town on the coast about 260 miles north of San Francisco. It is somewhat remarkable given that
* it's a small town in California
* the people are generally pleasant and good-natured
* pedestrians are not an edangered species
* it is the home of Humboldt State University, the oldest California State University
* is located near many national and state parks
* has its own hippie population
* there's an odd rurmour going about that it is the center of pot-subculture.
Arcata's Fall-Spring population is about 16,000, and 8,000 in the summer. Like many of the surrounding towns, is a lumber town born from the giant redwood trees that grow abundantly (well, not as abundantly as they used to, given that there are a lot of people who like to chop them down so that they can build a freeway, even when they grow on traditional Sacred Space of Native Americans--this really happened, by the way, and went to the Supreme Court. Sandra Day-O'Connor's majority opinnion basically said, "Well, it's not religious persecution as such...we're not saying you can't worship the universe the way you see fit and have been doing for time immemorial. So what if we want to build a road through your cathedral? Move it or something."). Due to the growing lack of trees for cutting, Arcata is fortunate to have the student population to support the local economy. As with many small college towns, the general atmosphere is a liberal conservatism, or conservative liberalism (whichever you prefer). Big business is bad, support local stuff, organic food is good, hemp is great, recycle and all that good stuff.
This area of California, known locally as the North Coast, is the center of many national and state parks. Lots of public beaches, good surfing in the winter (you'll need a wetsuit at least 3mm thick, though). I recommend College Cove in nearby Trinidad, Moonstone Beach and Camel Rock for surfing. They can get a bit crowded, as these are the favored local spots, but most surfers here are generally chill. If camping and hiking is more your speed, then Patrick's Point (a national park to the north) is highly recommended. You could stay a week, and still not have explored it all. Some of the most beautiful and astonishing vistas are here. If you're feeling a bit more ambitious in the hiking department, try the Trinity Alps in the north. This is a favorite location for the local backpackers. Don't worry about running into people though--the Trinity Alps have enough trails to keep your trip from becoming too social.
On the restaraunt scene, my personal favorite in Arcata is a mid-priced Japanese place called Tomo's. Best sushi I've ever had. Teriyaki chicken also highly recommended. It's located on Arcata's pleasantly-quaint town square in the Arcata Hotel. If you're looking for someplace a little more ritzy, on the opposite side of the square is Abruzzi, an Italian place. It's pretty good, but i think you're paying for the atmosphere more than the food. There are also a large selection of little local diners and cafes, many of which will give you a good idea of Arcata's true flavor. There you can find "California Cuisine" without as much of the usual pomposity. If it's pizza you're after, than two places instantly spring to mind (and being a college student myself, I *know* the pizza places): Smug's (a tiny blink-and-you-miss-it type place next to the Arcata movie theatre) and Celestino's. You can't go wrong with either of these places. Whole pies or by the slice, great stuff at a reasonable price.
Speaking of reasonable prices, this being California, not much is reasonably priced. If you're driving, expect to pay insane amounts for gas. To give you an idea, the current price is $1.65 a gallon (it's gotten a bit better recently).
If you're planing on staying at a motel, I reccommend one of the many clustered around Guintoli Lane, north of the University.
Every Saturday morning, starting at 8:00 AM is a farmer's market, which is well worth visiting if you've never been. Organic produce, honey, flowers, and various arts and crafts are sold. Sometimes local musicains play, or a dance troupe performs. This will give you the true flavor of the town.
If you're looking for a good night spot, give up now, choose a new destination. You're not going to find it here! In nearby Eureka, there's a place called Club West, but I've never thought it very good. They do have good shows sometimes, though. Also, the University has a lot of performers coming through its host organization Centre Arts. The only nightly attraction *in* Arcata, though, is Cafe Tomo, which also has a variety of good lcoal musicians--everything from Arcata's brand of funk-blues-hillbilly-fusion to jazz combos to the University's Calypso ensemble (which is a sight to be seen!!!) and belly dancers. Cafe Tomo (an extension of the aforementioned Japanese restaraunt) is 21 and over, however.
That's about it for Arcata...enjoy!
* it's a small town in California
* the people are generally pleasant and good-natured
* pedestrians are not an edangered species
* it is the home of Humboldt State University, the oldest California State University
* is located near many national and state parks
* has its own hippie population
* there's an odd rurmour going about that it is the center of pot-subculture.
Arcata's Fall-Spring population is about 16,000, and 8,000 in the summer. Like many of the surrounding towns, is a lumber town born from the giant redwood trees that grow abundantly (well, not as abundantly as they used to, given that there are a lot of people who like to chop them down so that they can build a freeway, even when they grow on traditional Sacred Space of Native Americans--this really happened, by the way, and went to the Supreme Court. Sandra Day-O'Connor's majority opinnion basically said, "Well, it's not religious persecution as such...we're not saying you can't worship the universe the way you see fit and have been doing for time immemorial. So what if we want to build a road through your cathedral? Move it or something."). Due to the growing lack of trees for cutting, Arcata is fortunate to have the student population to support the local economy. As with many small college towns, the general atmosphere is a liberal conservatism, or conservative liberalism (whichever you prefer). Big business is bad, support local stuff, organic food is good, hemp is great, recycle and all that good stuff.
This area of California, known locally as the North Coast, is the center of many national and state parks. Lots of public beaches, good surfing in the winter (you'll need a wetsuit at least 3mm thick, though). I recommend College Cove in nearby Trinidad, Moonstone Beach and Camel Rock for surfing. They can get a bit crowded, as these are the favored local spots, but most surfers here are generally chill. If camping and hiking is more your speed, then Patrick's Point (a national park to the north) is highly recommended. You could stay a week, and still not have explored it all. Some of the most beautiful and astonishing vistas are here. If you're feeling a bit more ambitious in the hiking department, try the Trinity Alps in the north. This is a favorite location for the local backpackers. Don't worry about running into people though--the Trinity Alps have enough trails to keep your trip from becoming too social.
On the restaraunt scene, my personal favorite in Arcata is a mid-priced Japanese place called Tomo's. Best sushi I've ever had. Teriyaki chicken also highly recommended. It's located on Arcata's pleasantly-quaint town square in the Arcata Hotel. If you're looking for someplace a little more ritzy, on the opposite side of the square is Abruzzi, an Italian place. It's pretty good, but i think you're paying for the atmosphere more than the food. There are also a large selection of little local diners and cafes, many of which will give you a good idea of Arcata's true flavor. There you can find "California Cuisine" without as much of the usual pomposity. If it's pizza you're after, than two places instantly spring to mind (and being a college student myself, I *know* the pizza places): Smug's (a tiny blink-and-you-miss-it type place next to the Arcata movie theatre) and Celestino's. You can't go wrong with either of these places. Whole pies or by the slice, great stuff at a reasonable price.
Speaking of reasonable prices, this being California, not much is reasonably priced. If you're driving, expect to pay insane amounts for gas. To give you an idea, the current price is $1.65 a gallon (it's gotten a bit better recently).
If you're planing on staying at a motel, I reccommend one of the many clustered around Guintoli Lane, north of the University.
Every Saturday morning, starting at 8:00 AM is a farmer's market, which is well worth visiting if you've never been. Organic produce, honey, flowers, and various arts and crafts are sold. Sometimes local musicains play, or a dance troupe performs. This will give you the true flavor of the town.
If you're looking for a good night spot, give up now, choose a new destination. You're not going to find it here! In nearby Eureka, there's a place called Club West, but I've never thought it very good. They do have good shows sometimes, though. Also, the University has a lot of performers coming through its host organization Centre Arts. The only nightly attraction *in* Arcata, though, is Cafe Tomo, which also has a variety of good lcoal musicians--everything from Arcata's brand of funk-blues-hillbilly-fusion to jazz combos to the University's Calypso ensemble (which is a sight to be seen!!!) and belly dancers. Cafe Tomo (an extension of the aforementioned Japanese restaraunt) is 21 and over, however.
That's about it for Arcata...enjoy!
