The best road cycling routes around Rio Dell

Beautiful area

Tall old trees

The Plaza, with its lawns and flowerbeds, is the social and commercial center of Arcata. Charming shops selling locally handcrafted goods, sporting goods, boutiques, and restaurants line the Plaza and the streets beyond. Arcata is a college town with particularly interesting bookstores and coffeehouses. Stop at Arcata Artisans on the Plaza. Don't miss Jacoby's Storehouse. This restored historic building features shops and a delightful central area where you can sit, enjoy an ice cream cone or a snack, and relax.

Chandler Grove is a small hillside sequoia grove on the northern Avenue of the Giants. A short loop path circles through the grove. The grove has a large parking lot. Most of the grove is on a plain "bank" elevated a few meters above the water table of the Eel River; Typically, for such elevated sites, the relative lack of water means that there are no large trees. Still, the grove appears to be unlogged and has many small redwoods growing among ferns and redwood sorrel. An unofficial side trail leads to a small gleam next to the Avenue of the Giants, where a stream runs through an attractive collection of larger redwoods. Directly across the avenue, the High Rock Trail is much more spectacular, but it rarely gets any visitors because it is not visible from the street.

The Founders' Grove is the most visited grove in Humboldt Redwoods and a major redwood attraction on the North Shore. It's popular because it's conveniently (perhaps too conveniently) located right next to Highway 101 on the Avenue of the Giants, and it's truly an extraordinary sight. The grove is perhaps most notable for its sheer size. From most locations on the Loop Trail, the large redwoods stretch as far as you can see in every direction. No other lowland grove feels so expansive. Located on an exceptionally large floodplain at the junction of two rivers, the grove is protected from storms by 3,000-foot mountains to the west, but is still immersed in the summer fog that flows up the Eel River Valley. As a result, the grove has many huge trees, which, combined with its large area and openness, make it one of the most impressive there is; it truly is quintessential Redwood Grove.

“The Pinc,” as the new owners now affectionately call it, has seen plenty of history through its jewel-toned stained glass windows at 202 M Street in Eureka. Located on Humboldt Bay, the majestic, historic home was built in 1889 by lumber magnate William Carson as a wedding gift for his son J. Milton Carson and his wife Mary Amelia (Bell) Carson. William lived across the street in the famous Carson mansion, considered one of the most magnificent Victorian homes in America. The J. Milton Carson House, known locally as “The Pink Lady” over the years, is crowned with iconic, ornamental Victorian features. Famous as a classic example of the Queen Anne architectural style, its large bay windows, delicate cornices, graceful spires, and lace gingerbread trim attract tourists and architecture lovers alike.

This 2.4-mile nature trail is one of the most beautiful trails in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Many photographic opportunities can be found along this redwood forest trail. As you walk the cool, shady path, you'll spot a bench dedicated to Ralph W. Chaney for rediscovering the Dawn Redwood in China in 1948 and bringing the seeds to the United States. (Source: Humboldt Redwoods State Park).

The visitor center is operated by the Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association and all proceeds benefit efforts to expand the park's educational and outreach goals. There are numerous visual and hands-on educational exhibits, a theater, a library, a gift shop, and a friendly volunteer staff to answer questions about the park and area. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The tree disk is interesting because it shows certain events in annual numbers and goes back to 1200!