Chapman's Gem & Mineral Shop in Humboldt County is one of those rare places that feels less like a…read morestore and more like an experience you'll carry with you long after you leave. We arrived on what had already been a tough day, but the moment we stepped inside, everything shifted. The selection alone is incredible, tables and cases filled with stunning specimens, from deep blue kyanite to vibrant tangerine quartz and beautiful geodes. Outside, the yard is a treasure trove in itself, with bins of rose quartz and countless stones just waiting to be discovered. It truly feels like a hands-on adventure. What made the visit unforgettable, though, were the guys working there. They were genuinely kind, welcoming, and incredibly informative. They took the time to talk with us, answer questions, and share their knowledge in a way that made the experience feel personal and meaningful, not rushed or transactional. Their passion for what they do is obvious, and it's contagious. They turned what started as a difficult day into a full-blown treasure hunt for our family. By the time we left, we weren't just carrying stones; we were carrying a sense of joy, curiosity, and connection. We left completely satisfied and truly thankful for the experience. If you're anywhere near Humboldt County, this place is absolutely worth a stop. It's not just about what you find, it's about how you feel while you're there.

We stopped by this famous rock shop on our way up to Redwoods. They had the typical piles of rocks…read moreoutside and decor you would expect from a roadside hockshop, but I was truly impressed by the novel selection of crystals available and their impressive gem and mineral museum. I ended up getting a Prehnite and Epidote crystal specimen, Pyrite on matrix, and a quartz cluster. The crystals were relatively affordable! The museum area had an impression selection of cabs and I really enjoyed seeing the rocks from around California. The fluorescent display was very eye catching.

while staying in Ferndale, we opted to check out the museum and we are so glad we did. The place is…read morechocked full of historical items with explanations of what they were for. The basement is full of great items used by farms and workers. But the highlight was the docent who provided so much historical information about the town. Don't miss checking it out.

Wonderful Museum! Very helpful staff! With lots of antiques…read moreand beautiful displays! Easy to locate in a charming small town.

awesome fisheries exhibit! Hidden Gem in Humboldt,read more

Located in Old Town, this museum is definitely worth a visit. As soon as we entered, friendly and…read moreknowledgeable volunteers struck up a conversation and gave us the lay of the land. The museum, one of the largest in northwestern CA, has impressive collections of Humboldt county history and local Native American artifacts. In particular they are known for an extensive, beautiful basket collection. The gift shop is attractive, especially the carved wooden bird collection. We could not resist the Great Heron, and it looks lovely in our home. On leaving the volunteers happily gave us lunch suggestions! Museum and history lovers will enjoy this place.

Comprehensive history museum with interesting pieces. Definitely worth a visit. Lots of local…read moreartifacts.

Awesome and very informative museum with lots of local flora and fauna. There is a small admission…read morefee but it's totally worth it. Great stop for anyone interested in learning about natural history and has lots of fun little hands on exhibits for little kids. Worth a stop if you are in the area. It's a short walk from Humboldt State and downtown Arcata.

Fantastic local Natural History Museum! Lots of excellent interpretive exhibits! The Museum is run…read moreby Humboldt State University. There is an admission fee to get in - (I forget how much - but it was not a lot). The exhibits focus on the geologic history of the world (lots of dinosaur information), as well as information about the local area wildlife, forests, and more. There is also a nice selection of gifts in their gift shop. #HumboldtStateNaturalHistoryMuseum

Had a great time touring this amazing place. Shawn, our tour guide is so good at her job…read more This is a very unique opportunity to learn not only about tools and craftsmanship from years gone by, but also on learn more about the Eureka area. Viviana and Eric Hollenbeck were charming and generous with their time. They're genuinely kind folks with fascinating stories. The tour is partially upstairs so those with limited mobility may miss a bit but the majority can be accessed even for those who are wheelchair bound.

I was visiting my brother in Eureka last month, and we toured the Blue Ox Millworks and Historic…read moreVillage. What an amazing place! The village is a collection of buildings relocated from other areas, and they are dedicated to types of craftsmanship. There are SO many areas in the buildings to explore! They have woodworking, ceramics, glassworks, printing, signage, weaving, blacksmithing, and other crafts. The crew even built a replica of the hearse that carried Lincoln's coffin for the memorial trip from DC to Springfield, 150 years later. They also hand-crafted a redwood table for President Clinton's Presidential Library. Because the buildings are working sites, visitors must be careful as they walk through each area. Thankfully, all the walkways are of sturdy recent construction--even the catwalk on the second floor of the main building. Tours are led by knowledgeable guides, and visitors may have the opportunity to see craftsmen at work; on our visit, there was a gentleman working on a sign for a local ballpark. He stopped what he was doing and talked through the process of converting an artist's sketch to a finished, billboard-sized sign. It was fascinating to see! The grounds are lovely and have views of Humboldt Bay from the top of the rise. There are gardens planted in various sites around the village, and it is very pretty in the spring. For a unique experience of immersion into craftworks, I definitely recommend a visit to The Blue Ox!

Located in the Bigfoot capital of the world [Willow Creek CA]…read more The two times we passed by Willow Creek in Humboldt County the museum was closed for the season, the very first time was in March 2011 and the second in February 2022. Third time was a charm as it was open! This past Memorial Day weekend we were passing through Willow Creek on our way to Eureka and the museum had just opened for the day. For new visitors you will immediately notice in front of the building a larger-than-life wooden statue of Bigfoot next to the signage. Next to it is a copy of a cast made from a Bigfoot track that was found on a little sand-gravel bar in 1963. Feel free to compare your footprint with Bigfoot's. Inside, we wandered the lower part of the museum and browsed through the collection of things from the past - old safe, cash registers, artifacts . We head on over to the Big Foot Exhibit which was further inside and found a collection of materials - newspaper articles, Bigfoot casts that have been collected over the years (donated to the museum), maps of sightings, photos including a blown up picture of the famous Patterson-Gimlin Film (frame #352) taken in Bluff Creek in October 1967. Outside of the building are some collection of logging, mining, forging and agricultural artifacts. The museum includes a gift shop where they sell Bigfoot shirts and sweatshirts, books and other collectibles like postcards and stickers. For reference, the museum is free to visit and is open from May to September (Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00a to 4:00p). Lots of free parking near the entrance to the museum. I am not a BF believer but the museum was interesting to see with all the Bigfoot stuff... I mean, with all the TV series about Bigfoot why haven't they found one yet in real life, just evidence. There are (were) at least 14 TV series about Bigfoot. I guess it's best I don't encounter one but that would make me a believer for sure LoL! The volunteer staff was helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I believe he is a retired Highway Patrol Officer who once patrolled the area. Instagram: @bigfootmuseum Review #3768

Cool little museum with interesting artifacts to check out. The kids love the Bigfoot exhibits.read more

So much fun for our three year old and one year old. We had to take them out after two hours cause…read moreit was time for lunch and nap but they would have kept playing!!! Absolutely love how perfect it is for under age 5. The front room has some things for older kids. It's nice how it's basically all one giant room so if you're going alone with multiple children it's definitely manageable. They even have hot coffee (Keurig) and tea for kids. My only complaint is the sensory area (the busy boards were placed a little too high for the kids to reach). But overall, this place is a MUST. $6/person. Under 2 are free. Definitely affordable. Thank you!!!

Great spot for the younger kiddos to burn off some energy. We flew into town and stopped here for…read more2-3 hours and let the kids get that energy out. While there are "infant" areas, I'd say that this place is ideal for the 2 years through kindergarten crowd. Grocery shopping area, water play, baby doll area, gardening area...and it's not too big. It's definitely worth the $5/pp admission. The gift shop has some great M&D items but all have been there awhile as you can see the fading from the sun (and overpriced compared to what you can buy on AMZN). 5 stars for a great kids museum in a small town.

Historic Military Fort [Eureka CA]…read more There's a lot to take in historically from Fort Humboldt. Although this site seems peaceful now, at one time it was the hub of a conflict between settlers and Native Americans. We walked through the grassy park area stopping to read interpretive signs along the way educating ourselves. The history of Fort Humboldt State Historic Park dates back to 1853. First, one of the most famous military personalities to serve here was Captain Ulysses S. Grant, the future U.S. President and commander of all Union forces during the Civil War. He was stationed here as Captain of Company F, 4th Infantry, in 1853-1854. His story is shared in historic signage and markers. No wait... FIRST! Fort Humboldt State Historic Park is haunted! The GhostTube app captured some anomalies when we used it. I posted a couple of videos. During its glory, the fort had 14 buildings: Officer's Quarters, barracks, a hospital, a blacksmith shop, a horse stable, and even a bakery. Wooden markers can be seen at the park indicating where they once stood. The reconstructed Surgeon's Quarters and original Fort Hospital remain standing till today and I wonder if they open the doors to visitors during park hours. One part of the park are collection of exhibits not related to the military history: railroad equipment and machinery used in the early days of 150 years of local logging history including a Donkey engine. Review #3772

This was a nice and peaceful park. It is a short walk around to see all the displays. There are a…read morefew buildings still left from the time it was a fort. Amongst the trees on the other side of the park, there is the remnants of the trains and steam engines from the logging days.