Small-town living on the Northern California coast
Arcata is an artsy college town nestled between Northern California’s vast redwood forests and Arcata Bay, just a few miles from the chilly Pacific. It’s home to just over 19,000 people, around 6,000 of whom are students at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, also known as Cal Poly Humboldt. “Arcata has that amazing small-town vibe. There are so many artists and musicians, and we’ve got tons of events, theaters and concerts. For a small city, it’s rich with culture,” says Realtor Stephany Joy of Forbes & Associates, a longtime resident.
Arcata got its start as a logging town, weathering boom and bust cycles throughout the 20th century until logging was curtailed in the 1970s and 80s to protect the area’s redwood trees. Today, it’s a mecca for outdoor recreation, and notable for its public lands — it owns more than 2,100 acres of forestland peppered with parks, trails and other outdoor amenities.
Cal Poly Humboldt State College is walking distance from Downtown-Uniontown in Arcata.
Arcata residents head out in a drift boat to fish the Mad River in Valley West.
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Experience Arcata Plaza
Arcata Plaza is the city’s central park and business district. This grassy park occupies a full city block surrounded by rows of historic buildings, mom-and-pop shops, local restaurants, dive bars, cozy coffee shops and boutiques. It’s a favorite hangout for locals and college students who can be seen window-shopping, picnicking and dining on outdoor patios. The plaza also plays host to many annual festivals and events like the North Country Fair, the Arcata Main Street Oyster Festival and the Saturday Farmer’s Market. “We have the most amazing farmer’s market. There’s so much fresh food and local produce, which is great for a foodie like me,” Joy says.
Downtown-Uniontown offers beautiful architecture and design you can see from many angles over Arcata Plaza.
Downtown-Uniontown has lots of great shops like People's Records in Arcata.
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Redwood forests within walking distance
From walks along misty Pacific beaches to hiking among towering redwood trees, Arcata residents are well-positioned to take advantage of Northern California’s epic outdoor recreation. “We have extraordinary access to the outdoors. I walk on the beach a few times a week, I kayak, and I live in a redwood forest. You’re never going to get bored,” Joy says. Arcata Community Forest is one of the city’s prized possessions. Encompassing nearly 800 acres, its hiking trails twist and turn through steep hills shrouded by lush redwood canopies. It’s located at the eastern edge of the city, adjacent to the university, and within walking distance for many residents.
The rocky, blustery Pacific coastline is only a few miles away. It’s too chilly to swim, but its picturesque shores, sandy beaches and epic sunsets are some of Northern California’s defining outdoor features. The weather in Arcata and surrounding coastal towns is typically foggy and chilly, with more rainfall than central and southern California. Temperatures usually range from 40 degrees to 65 degrees all year-round. Fog usually rolls in from the ocean in the morning before burning off in the early afternoon.
Hiking is a popular activity at in Arcata Redwood Park in the Arcata Community Forest.
Enjoy easy access to the Pacific Coast from Arcata and Westwood-Vasside to Trinidad Beach State Park.
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Eclectic West Coast architecture
Arcata is awash in eclectic residential architecture. From the wood-shingled Craftsman homes of the Sunset neighborhood to the bombastic Victorians in Arcata Heights, homebuyers have plenty of interesting options to pick from. Houses with wrap-around porches, exposed beams, ornate turrets and ornamental detailing are a common sight for those walking around the city. Many of the homes closer to downtown date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, while those in the outskirts were built in the post-war era. The median home price is about $503,000, which is below the median price in California, though above the national mark. Homes spend about 34 days on the market, compared to the national average of 45.
Downtown-Uniontown in Arcata offers beautifully detailed Craftsman bungalows to chose from.
Arcata offers Victorian homes in Downtown-Uniontown to choose from.
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Well-regarded public schools and a growing university
The Arcata Elementary School District has one elementary school and one middle school. It gets a B-plus rating from Niche. Older students attend Arcata High School, which also gets a B-plus. Cal Poly Humboldt is a major presence in Arcata, bringing thousands of students to the city every year for school. The college is expected to nearly double in size in the coming years after officials announced a $433 million expansion, bringing thousands of new jobs with it.
Arcata Elementary School is rated above average by Niche.
Arcata High School was the first high school in Humboldt County.
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Getting around the North Coast
Arcata is traversed by State Route 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, a regional commuter corridor that connects with coastal cities like Eureka, McKinleyville and Fortuna. California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport is 9 miles north in McKinleyville, however foggy conditions result in frequent delays and cancellations. The nearest major medical center is Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka, which is about 9 miles south. It’s the largest hospital system in Humboldt County and the county’s second largest employer.
Crime rates on par with state averages
Arcata’s violent and property crime rates are close to California’s statewide average, according to FBI stats. The city’s crime rates have stayed steady over the past decade.
Proven experience serving buyers and sellers for over 29 years. Larry is the managing broker and a part of your real estate team when you utilize the services of a Ming Tree Professional. In today’s real estate world, it pays to have a large and experienced team working together for you.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
