“The North Coast’s most progressive town, Arcata, surrounds a tidy central square that fills with college students, campers, transients, and tourists. Sure, it occasionally reeks of patchouli, and its politics lean far left, but its earnest embrace of sustainability has fostered some of the most progressive civic action in America. Here, garbage trucks run on biodiesel, recycling gets picked up by tandem bicycle, wastewater gets filtered clean in marshlands, and almost every street has a bike lane. Predictably enough, organic products and produce are the norm, art-and-craft markets are rampant, and vegans are well catered to.” — Lonely Planet .
Prepare for Your Visit
About Arcata Arcata, home to Humboldt State University, is a small university town on the north end of Humboldt Bay. It is well known for its progressive politics and locally-sourced restaurants. Arcata is the perfect place to relax and enjoy life the way it should be, while breathing in fresh air and enjoying an unbeatable natural environment. The pace of things is a little calmer here, with many bicyclists or pedestrians out and about. Here, the local bookstores and coffee houses are especially interesting to visit and the town contains many restored Victorian homes and the lively Creamery District, where you can find a bright, vibrant, and 4
2021 | ARCATA VISITOR GUIDE |
diverse community of artists and entrepreneurs. To enjoy the benefits of Arcata's creative side check out creamerydistrict.org for more information. Arcata’s downtown, expansive forests, and laid-back style are sure to put a smile on anyone's face. Some say the heart of Arcata is the Plaza with its lawns and flowerbeds; the Plaza is the social and commercial center of Arcata. In the 1850s, the Plaza was where goods destined for the Trinity County mines were loaded onto mule trains. Today, delightful shops offering locally-handcrafted merchandise, boutiques, and restaurants line the Plaza.
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Arcata has a Mediterranean climate, influenced by oceanic conditions. Arcata experiences 40 to 50 inches (100 to 130 cm) of rain per year, with a short, but pronounced dry summer/fall season (June to mid October). Northerly winds keep the spring cool and create a coastal upwelling of deep, cold ocean water, resulting in occasional foggy conditions. Winters can be wet, but temperatures rarely dip below 30° F (−1° C). Expect mild to cool temperatures throughout the seasons, so it’s best to dress in layers. Sunny days are truly glorious, with plenty of clean air from the area’s temperate forests. Fun Fact: Regions of the world with similar temperatures to Arcata include Sitka and the Aleutians in Alaska, Fort William, Highland in Scotland, as well as much of Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, Tasmania, most of New Zealand, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Tierra del Fuego in southern South America and the coastal areas of Norway and Scandinavia.
