Eureka

Eureka is the county seat of Humboldt County in northern California, located on Humboldt Bay between the Pacific shore and redwood forests. The city extends from the harbor district to forested hills inland.

The town emerged in 1850 as a supply harbor during the gold rush and grew into a major Pacific port through redwood timber exports. Wealthy lumber merchants settled here in the late 19th century and built elaborate mansions.

The Old Town district preserves wooden buildings from the 1880s to 1910s, built by craftsmen from local sawmills. These structures show how residents shaped their daily lives around the timber industry.

A walk through the center takes roughly half an hour and connects the waterfront boardwalk with the old town streets. Most shops and museums lie within a compact area and are easily reached on foot.

The harbor now serves mainly fishing boats and tour vessels heading out for whale watching. Gray whales migrate along the coast each year from December to April and can be spotted from the bay.

Location: Humboldt County

Inception: May 13, 1850

Website: http://ci.eureka.ca.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.80194,-124.16361

Latest update: December 12, 2025 20:00