Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay, Coast Guard station in McKinleyville, California, US.
Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay is a rescue base located at Arcata-Eureka Airport serving the Northern California coast. The station operates a small fleet of helicopters that respond to emergencies across a large stretch of ocean and mountainous terrain where weather and water conditions are often severe.
The station was established in 1977 following local requests for year-round air rescue services in the region. It grew from a small operation into a key facility responding to emergencies across one of the Pacific Coast's most challenging waters.
The personnel stationed at Humboldt Bay train specifically for maritime operations in cold Pacific waters and challenging weather conditions.
Visitors should know this is an active rescue facility with limited access for tours, as helicopters may launch at any time. It is best to call ahead to check if a visit is feasible given the station's constant operational readiness.
The facility handles rescues from mountainous inland areas as well as maritime emergencies, making it one of the few coastal rescue operations that serves both ocean and remote land regions. This dual capability is crucial in a region where emergencies can occur far from shore in terrain that is difficult to reach by ground.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
