“Shopping here is a lot more fun,” said Astra Burke, owner of Many Hands Gallery.
“Old Town gets busy, but it’s more festive. There’s always a lot going on. Sometimes there’s music or activities. You run into a lot of people you know and make new friends. Everyone is in a pretty great mood.”
And, if all the shopping leaves your legs weary, Brendan, and his horse, Pearl, of Old Town Carriage are usually close by and willing to provide a memorable and scenic excursion. They’ll point out the nuances of local architecture and share stories you wouldn’t hear otherwise, And, of course, the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh…err, buggy.
We digress.
“You get a great experience walking in and out of shops, smelling the candles, interacting with people, checking out the local goods,” said Sarah Land, owner of two Old Town shops – Land of Lovely and Humboldt Mercantile. There are also local makers who make the product and benefit. It’s a chain event that benefits the community in many ways.”
Adjacent to the waterfront, Eureka’s Old Town also hosts uniquely Eureka events, like an annual boat parade that heralds the arrival of Santa Claus each December. Be sure to check out the Visit Eureka Event Calendar to plan out your stay and make sure you leave enough time to catch everything you hope to experience.
The Redwood Sky Walk at Sequoia Park Zoo, a family photo in front of the Carson Mansion, and a short hike along either the Waterfront Trail or inside one of the city’s two urban redwood groves is sure to round out your adventure. And, if you venture over to the Samoa beaches, this time of year you might just find yourself whale spotting. Early mornings September through January and March through June are the best times of year to get lucky. Bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for spouting. No luck? Stop by Woodley Island Marina and ask the fishermen what they’ve been seeing out on the water. They’re sure to have a story or two.
Feeling Hungry?
When you need to refuel to sustain your shopping energy, 27 restaurants are within a 3-minute walk of the Eureka Visitor Center, located at 108 F Street. If pub fare is your chosen option, Lost Coast Brewery offers a tasty menu and 16 craft beers, including Peanut Butter Chocolate Stout that’s hard to turn down. The recently opened Tavern 1888 is an intriguing new fine-dining option, and Five Eleven Bar & Grill features farm-to-table North Pacific cuisine.