Location: McKinleyville
Top Things to do in McKinleyville
Top Restaurants in McKinleyville
The 10 Best Things to Do in McKinleyville, United States
McKinleyville (formerly, Minorsville) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Humboldt County, California, United States. McKinleyville is located 5.25 miles (8.4 km) north of Arcata, at an elevation of 141 feet (43 m). The population was 15,177 at the 2010 census, up from 13,599 at the 2000 census. This unincorporated community is the third largest community, after Eureka and Arcata, on the far North Coast and larger than five of seven cities in the county. It is also the location of the Arcata-Eureka Airport, the largest airport in Humboldt County and the region.
Restaurants in McKinleyville
1. Hammond Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By rodjk37 - McKinleyville, California
This trail is a wonderful asset to the community. Some sections are more exposed and the ocean may be viewed while walking. Other sections are more protected and great to use when it's windy. From the trail there is access to the Mad River as well as to the ocean. My friend and I walk on the Hammond trail almost every day and we feel safe. We see many other folks who also walk, run, ride horses, ride skateboards, & ride bicycles. Most are friendly and courteous. Only problem is the inconsiderate folks who don't clean up after their dogs; but most people are good about doing this.
2. Redwood Highway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 669 reviews
Reviewed By Nancy M
I came to this part of the world to see these wonderful trees. We spent an entire day touring this road except for side trips suggested by a ranger. We went on one dirt road that allowed us to get up close to the trees without having to get out of your car. This is a really beautiful place to visit.
3. Humboldt Coastal Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By chairduck - Brooktondale, New York
The building itself is something of a sight to see, resembling nothing more than an enormous hobbit hole! Like, from Lord of the Rings. Apparently it was a couple's dream retirement home that was donated to the Friends of the Dunes and converted into a nature center. Inside, there's an exhibit about the work it took to achieve this, and photos of what the place used to look like. There's also information about the different wildlife you can see in the area. The people working there were extremely tolerant of all the weird questions my family had ("here's this photo I took; can you tell me what this bird is eating?").
Beyond the center itself, the real selling point is the wooded trail, and the beach at the end of it. Like a lot of the beaches around here, it's a bit of a hike to get to it, but walking through the groves and up past the dunes is part of the fun. I wouldn't recommend this to someone who isn't up for a hike, though.
Be sure to check out the gift shop inside the center, too, for comfy "Friends of the Dunes" hoodies, books about the area, postcards, and even seed packets for local fauna.
4. Chumayo Spa
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By pjmartin1998 - US
Came across Chumayo Spa researching massage therapy in the area. What a great place! I needed a little TLC away from long days in hospital with dying family member. Chumayo Spa was just the relaxing afternoon I needed. Facilities are quiet, clean, accommodating and comfortable! Called for appointment and they were able to get me in the next day. Received the 90 minute hot stone massage courtesy of Danielle! She's magical! Gave me one of the best massages I've ever had and I have had many over the years; some from some 5 star resorts that were not nearly as good. Also spent time in their cedar sauna, experienced the foot reflexology and tried floating for the first time. Loved the floating. Takes a bit to adjust to the concept, but wound up being a very soothing and relaxing experience to clear my head and sooth my soul! Wonderful experience! Hidden little gem in the little town of Blue Lake in the redwoods of Northern California. Thank you Chumayo Spa for soothing my mind, body and spirit during a tough time for my family.
5. Arcata Community Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
A beautiful 600-acre forest of small redwoods and ferns.
Reviewed By Terry A
If you do not have much time and you want to take a wonderful walk try this. Trails 1 and 2 are doable by any age. The trail is a nice width, fairly even, and these two trails do not have too much climb.
Parking tips: There are two main places to park. The road that curves up (14th) has a parking area, and then there is a parking area near the playground, entrance is off 12th.
Trail tip: There is a trail map online. You'll see that trail 1 does not loop. However, the beginning and ending of Trail 1 are just at different points within a large lawn area. So, if you go from one end to the other, you do not have to go back to get to your car.
If you take trail 2 off of trail 1, you'll end up a the road. It's fairly safe to walk back up the road and you'lll see a pretty cool carved out tree, which your kids might be able to climb up for a good picture. Continue up the road and you will end up at one of the parking areas.
This visit is great if you only have an hour or two. You can enjoy trails 1 and 2 easily within an hour.
6. McKinleyville Totem Pole
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By gawildcats - Cumming, Georgia
Sitting in the middle of a shopping center parking lot, it is very tall. If you happen to be going that way, it's worth looking it up. Otherwise, keep going.
7. Blue Lake Casino & Hotel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 42 reviews
Enjoy a fun and relaxing stay at Humboldt County's premier luxury hotel. Blue Lake Casino & Hotel offers affordable, non-smoking spacious rooms with FREE WiFi, views of the gorgeous Mad River Valley and pristine forests filled with coastal redwoods!
Reviewed By JohnYa5 - Arcata. CA.
This year I have spent over two months traveling overseas. Last year I spent 3 1/2 months traveling overseas. What ah impressed me the most is that almost anywhere even in third world countries you can pay for food a buy things with a good visa card. You can even get cash from an ATM machine easily. Unfortunately I have found a place where you cannot count on your good Visa card to work. That is the Wave room in the Blue Lake Casino. I was there last night with my wife and friends for dinner. The food was fine. I need to leave at a certain time and asked for our bill. After it failed to arrive I went to where they handle money. Just before that the lights kept going off then back on. WhenI got there our waitress apologized that their computer was not working week and took a very long time to get the bill printed out. I gave her a visa card and she ran it on what I thought was the same machine that had trouble coming up with our bill. She said it was declined. I thought that very strange as I had never had a declined card in my life. So I gave her another one from the same company that I knew was good. She said that was declined also. I then let her know that she probably had problems with her machine. She was insistent the it did not have a problem as it had worked earlier. So finally I gave her another card. This time from from another company that I had used two hours before and checked the account earlier that day. That was sort of a test to see which side the problem might be on. That was declined also. I knew that statistical it wold be impossible for all those card to go bad at once. They insisted that there machine was working properly even though I knew it was not. So I paid cash.
When I got home I checked the card online. Everything was fine. I called both companies to see if there was any reason that would happen. They said that the charged were never put through. There was not record of them trying to charge anything on my cards. It seemed like they pretended to be charging my cards when they were not charged. They just decided it form their terminal that never connected to the credit card companies.
I did try to call them and tell them. The first thing to fixing a problem is to know that it exists. The person on the phone would not even consider that they could have a problem. It would be really easy for them to check it. It was strange since they did have electrical problems there. It is nicer to tell soon that the system is down than that their credit cards are not good. I would certainly not want to have any large dispute with people who cannot see the obvious.They seem to make their problems someone else problems. I guess much of the clients must have problem with credit cards so they assume that isa common problem. As it turned out when my friend went to pay late his card was declined. That was to be expected. It did concern him why that would happened to him.
They do have good music for free if you can handle the tobacco smoke.
8. Clam Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Pat B - Santa Rosa, California
This is a really nice long stretch of beach with great white sand. The waves are nice and it's a great spot to get your toes in the Pacific. Parking is tight and limited.
9. Moonstone Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Daniel A - Beijing, China
This is definitely more of a family friendly beach and there were more people here than other local beaches. There are nice rock formations. However, if you have driven up the coast it isn’t so spectacular but nonetheless it is still nice. If you have a family I’d definitely recommend this beach. If you are looking for awesome beaches with stunning rock formations, this isn’t a must stop.
10. Arcata Farmers' Market
Overall Ratings
5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By julesofthesea - Eureka, California
One of the best Farmer's Markets anywhere. Meet the farmers and their produce. Colorful, flavorful and multi-dimensional. You can have breakfast or lunch right in the market or take your food home with you. Everything from grains for bread-making to goat cheese or beautiful mix and match mushrooms. All organic, of course.
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