Arcata Sights

  1. Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary

    On the shores of Humboldt Bay lies Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary has 5 miles of walking trails and outstanding birding - and it doubles as the city's (nearly) odor-free wastewater treatment facility (ya gotta love this town's ingenuity).

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  2. Azalea State Reserve

    Northeast of Arcata, 2 miles east of Hwy 101, Azalea State Reserve bursts into bloom late April to late May; otherwise it's just a pretty wood.

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  3. HSU Natural History Museum

    The HSU Natural History Museum has kid-friendly interactive exhibits of fossils, live animals, a beehive, tidepool tank, and cool tsunami and seismic displays.

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  4. Humboldt State University

    On the northeastern side of town, Humboldt State University is Arcata's raison d'être . The Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) is a world-leader in sustainable technologies. The center is based in CCAT House, which is a converted residence that uses only 4% of the energy of a comparably sized dwelling. Dig the pedal-powered TV! You can take a self-guided tour at on Fridays.

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  5. Phillips House Museum

    The 1854 Phillips House Museum is a living museum that shows what the life of Arcata residents and farmers was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The historical exhibits and tours provide insights into the character of the town.

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  7. Redwood Park

    Redwood Park has beautiful redwoods and picnic areas. Adjoining the park is the Arcata Community Forest, a 575-acre old-growth forest crisscrossed by 10 miles of trails, with dirt paths and paved roads good for hikers and mountain-bikers.

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