Downtown businesses and the Arcata Main Street program put a lot of effort into beautifying the Arcata Plaza with flowers and plants.

Originally named Union, Arcata's beginnings go back to the Gold Rush as a shipping and supply center for the miners on the Trinity River, The docks are long gone, but Arcata retains a sense of uniqueness. Sprawling over the hillside above Arcata, Humboldt State University promotes a youthful, artistic and intellectual ambience.

The downtown plaza's central green space is reminiscent of a New England commons or a town square of the South. Lined with distinctive historic buildings and delightful shops and restaurants, the Plaza is the gathering place for a variety of community celebrations, including the Saturday Farmer's Market, Oyster Festival, the start of the annual Arcata-to-Ferndale Kinetic Sculpture Race and the 4th of July Jubilee. Of particular note, the beautifully restored Jacoby's Storehouse is a California Historic Landmark.

The Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary offers quiet trails and superb birdwatching. The world-famous marsh gives a unique view of an efficient, low-tech wastewater reclamation system as well as acres of mixed wildlife habitat. Additionally, Arcata Community Forest features a 575-acre forest with trails, redwood trees and picnic areas.

Arcata is also the proud home of the Humboldt Crabs semi-pro baseball team with games held in June through August.

by Rebecca Nelson, Arcata Chamber