Whether you’re passing through on Highway 101 or settling in for a long weekend, the easiest way to start a trip to Arcata is to talk to someone who lives here. That’s exactly what the Welcome Center is for.
The Welcome Center is a program of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, and it’s here to help you make the most of your time on the Redwood Coast.
What you’ll find there
Stop in during your travels for:
- Quality maps and visitor guides to Arcata and the surrounding area
- Internet access while you plan your next stop
- Advice on planning excursions, from people who know the area
- Friendly faces, minutes from the major highways
It’s a simple idea, and it works: a five-minute conversation can save you an hour of searching on your phone.
Where it is
The Welcome Center is centrally located in Humboldt County, just off Coastal Highway 101 and just north of the junction with Highway 299. That makes it an easy stop whether you’re heading up or down the coast or coming in from the east.
Arcata Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center 791 8th Street, Unit 7 Arcata, CA 95521 707.897.6004 · Arcata@ArcataChamber.com
Get directions (opens in a new tab)
If you’re making a special trip, it’s a good idea to call ahead.
Plan before you go
Not on the road yet? You can start planning from home:
- Read the visitor guide online. The 2024 Visit Arcata Brochure (opens in a new tab) is the Chamber’s guide to Arcata.
- Get publications by mail. Request visitor information (opens in a new tab) and the Chamber will send it to you.
- Browse Visit Arcata. The Visit Arcata website (opens in a new tab) covers things to do, places to stay, and where to eat.
- Find local businesses. The Chamber’s member directory (opens in a new tab) and interactive Member Map (opens in a new tab) list member restaurants, shops, lodging, and services.
For more, see our Welcome Center & visitor information page.
Start on the Plaza
The Arcata Plaza is the heart of downtown, and it’s where the Chamber hosts many of its community events, from the 4th of July Jubilee to the Season of Wonder & Light. It’s surrounded by locally owned shops and places to eat, which makes it a natural first stop.
The Arcata Plaza.
Check the Events page before your trip. You might arrive just in time for something happening on the square.
Then head for the trees and the coast
Arcata sits on the Redwood Coast, so redwood forests and a wild, beautiful coastline are part of the experience. Ask at the Welcome Center for maps and advice on where to go, and how to fit it all into the time you have.
A redwood trail.
A North Coast beach.
Exploring more of Humboldt?
Our neighbors can help too. Other Humboldt area chambers of commerce include:
- McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)
- Eureka Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)
- Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)
- Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)
- Orick Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)
And for statewide trip planning, the network of California Welcome Centers (opens in a new tab) is a great resource.
Shop local while you’re here
Every coffee, meal, and souvenir you buy from a local business helps keep Arcata the place you came to see. Thanks for visiting, and we hope to see you at the Welcome Center.
