Your boat will float,
your jaw will drop
Outdoor Activities
You’re never too far away from some trees and fresh air in Eureka. Though we think our city is just the right amount of energy and bustle, if you’re feeling the need for green, we’ve got you covered.
Redwood Sky Walk
3414 W St, Eureka, CA 95503 | (707) 441-4263
The Redwood Sky Walk is a self-guided interpretive experience designed to educate, inspire, and delight visitors. Tucked away in Eureka’s beloved Sequoia Park, the Redwood Sky Walk offers a unique vantage point and a new way to experience the history, nature, wildlife, and diverse ecology of this very special region.
Located 100 feet above the lush and verdant forest floor, view the canopy and legendary old-growth and mature second-growth redwood trees closer than ever before. As the longest sky walk in the western United States, the Redwood Sky Walk is just under one-quarter of a mile to the end and back. The Redwood Sky Walk is a serene, highly accessible, and completely immersive experience that connects visitors to nature in an exciting and unexpected new way.
Sequoia Park Zoo
3414 W St, Eureka, CA 95503 | (707) 441-4263
Established in 1907, the 60-acre Sequoia Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in California and one of the smallest accredited zoos in the country. Situated next to the magnificent old-growth redwoods of Sequoia Park, the zoo is truly a jewel in the heart of Eureka.
The entrance to the Redwood Sky Walk is through the Sequoia Park Zoo, so plan to spend several hours exploring as one ticket gets you into the trees and provides access to the 52 animal exhibits! The zoo is a major draw for tourists and locals, schools and families, students and researchers – anyone with an interest in animals, conservation, and education.
Waterfront Trail
North end: Truesdale Avenue (just south of Bayshore Mall). South end: Pound Road.
Nature-lovers rejoice: the Eureka Waterfront Trail offers over 6 miles of wildlife, recreation, and education along the shores of Humboldt Bay. You can walk the length of Eureka, viewing salt marshes, sand dune systems, and wildlife, including migrant birds. Be sure to check out the many interpretive signs to learn more about the coastal marsh and the history of the area. You'll also find artistic benches to stop, rest, and take it all in.
Want to preview before you commit? Check out a real-time drone video of the entire trail.
Hikshari' Trail
North end: Truesdale Avenue (just south of Bayshore Mall). South end: Elk River Parkway.
This 1.5-mile stretch of the Eureka Waterfront Trail begins at Elk River Parkway and runs along Humboldt Bay. Hike, bike, run, paddle, and picnic — you call the shots. The trail features interpretive signage covering marsh reconstruction, migrant and vagrant bird species in the willow patches, Humboldt Bay geology, railroad history, Wiyot village life, Elk River sandspit formation, marine life, dune plant ecology, and plant and animal identification.
McKay Tract Community Forest
Enter on Harris St near Freese Ave.
1,000 acres of forestland southeast of Eureka that is in the process of being established into a community forest. You'll find opportunities for birdwatching, dog walking, running, hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing among the redwood giants in this residential Eureka neighborhood forest. Take a break from civilization and find solace amongst the trees.
Sequoia Park Forest & Garden
3550 W St, Eureka CA 95503
Sequoia Park contains 67 acres and features walking and bicycle trails through the redwood forest, meadows, a duck pond, and two small creeks. The park includes two playgrounds, open turf grass, picnic tables, a restroom, a group picnic area, and a gazebo bandstand. Easily accessible from downtown Eureka, view some of the original 40 acres of old-growth redwood forest.
Sequoia Park Garden, a gorgeous collection of dahlias and other colorful blooms, is maintained by volunteers Dave and Sylvia Douglas. The garden also features a wishing well and a gazebo seating area.
Cooper Gulch Recreation Area
8th and Myrtle Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Cooper Gulch is a 33-acre community park located in the heart of Eureka and features a playground, multi-use play fields, the Eureka Skate Park, a nine-hole disc golf course, and walking paths along a wooded creek. The park surrounds Cooper Creek, which runs into the Eureka Slough and then into Humboldt Bay. Redwoods dot the park. Feel free to bring your dog.
The Eureka Skate Park, the largest in the area, is 12,000 square feet of fun. Street obstacles surround a large bowl section.
Elk River Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 2 miles south of Eureka, on the east side of Hwy 101. Access: From Highway 101 just south of Eureka, turn east onto Elk River Road.
The Elk River Wildlife Sanctuary is home to an abundance of birds, sea mammals, and coastal plant species.
The Elk River Spit, located north across the Elk River estuary, supports a special dune community, including two endangered plant species: beach Layia (Layia carnosa) and Humboldt Bay wallflower.
Wiyot people, the original inhabitants of the Humboldt Bay watershed, call the Elk River area Iksori. Their ancestors once lived in Iksori in redwood plank homes and traveled Elk River and Humboldt Bay in redwood dug-out canoes. Fresh food such as crabs, clams, eel, salmon, and shellfish were gathered from the estuary and bay.
Halvorsen Park, Waterfront Drive
1003-1057 Waterfront Dr, Eureka, CA 95501
Located on the Waterfront of Old Town Eureka, Halvorsen Park offers incredible views and wide-open spaces. At just under four acres, the park is great for reading and relaxing, throwing a frisbee or kicking a soccer ball, having picnics by the water, and catching special events that are hosted throughout the year.
Samoa Beach
Samoa, CA
Samoa Beach is the long strand of beach on the ocean side of the Samoa peninsula near Eureka. The small community of Samoa and the historic Samoa Cookhouse Restaurant is nearby on the peninsula. The beach here stretches continuously south to Samoa Dunes Recreation Area at the North Jetty and entrance to Humboldt Bay. This is a perfect beachcombing destination with driftwood and other items washing onshore.
Eureka Municipal Golf Course
4750 Fairway Dr, Eureka, CA 95503 | (707) 443-4808
The Eureka Golf Course features tree-lined fairways, small undulated greens, several ponds, and a meandering creek that runs through most of the golf course. The golf course hosts native plants and wildlife including Coastal Redwoods, Rhododendrons, red-tail hawks, osprey, deer, and a variety of waterfowl. The Eureka Golf Course is a prime example of environmental stewardship, certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Sanctuary.
Don’t miss Cocina Mariposa, the delicious Mexican restaurant on the grounds.
Humboldt Botanical Gardens
7707 Tompkins Hill Rd, Eureka, CA 95503 | (707) 442-5139
The Humboldt Botanical Gardens are constructed on a 44.5-acre site south of Eureka near Humboldt Bay and adjacent to the College of the Redwoods. Bring a book, binoculars, or a picnic and stay for a while. More adventurous hikers can walk along the secluded, unpaved trails that meander through the gardens. Walk Peter Santino's labyrinth in the "All Happy Now" garden. This garden is intended to be walked on in the manner of the meditation labyrinths found in churches and cathedrals.
discover more
Eureka Visitor Center
108 F Street
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 441-4150
info@visiteureka.com
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