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Humboldt County Towns / Areas
Arcata (95521, 95518)
Sunny Brae , Bayside (95524) , McKinleyville (95519) , Kneeland (95549)
Blue Lake (95525)
West End Road, Fieldbrook, Willow Creek (95573)
Eureka (95501, 95502, 95503)
Eureka, Samoa (95564) , Manila, Fields Landing, Cutten, Humboldt Hill
Ferndale (95536)
Fernbridge , Loleta (95551) , Petrolia (95558)
Fortuna (95540)
Hydesville (94447) , Carlotta (95528) , Bridgeville (95526) , Dinsmore, Rio Dell (95562), Scotia (95565)
So Hum (95542, 95560)
Garberville (95542) , Redway (95560) , Honeydew , Briceland , Shelter Cove , Whitethorn (95589) , Miranda , Myer's Flat (95554)
Trinidad (95570)
Westhaven, Orick (95555) , Patricks Point, Redwood National Park
About Humboldt County
Humboldt County is located in Northern California about 250 miles north of San Francisco. It is part of the Emerald Triangle : Trinity County, Mendocino County and Humboldt County. It is the home to the Redwoods National Park and several California State Parks including the famous Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Patricks Point State Park.
The History of Humboldt County is varied. It was originally a small mining town supporting the early gold rush of the 1840's. It was not long before the amazing natural resources of the area - namely redwood trees - became obvious. In addition to these trees there were very useful local rivers, creeks and the Humboldt Bay which made Humboldt County a true logging paradise. Those factors along with high demand from San Francisco made it a boomtime for redwood logging which quickly moved into the area in vast amounts. A quick look at the classic Victorian homes of the area will speak to the wealth the County enjoyed.
In addition to trees, there is a rich history of fishing in the county. The indigenous tribes like Yuroks, Klamaths, Hoopas and Weotts used the yearly Salmon runs to store up on foodstocks. Their expertise in Salmon Smoking can still be found throughout the county today. Another important crop are the local seafoods including most famously oysters. One of the largest festivals in the county is Arcata's Annual Oyster Fest. There is also the beautiful historic seaport of Trinidad with it's famous Trinidad Lighthouse and fishing pier.
At the same time that both logging and fishing died out there was a new wave of interest in the area. This new wave were a progressive offshoot of hippies and back-to-the-landers from the heart of the hippie movement in San Francisco . Many of these residents took up large patches of land out in the hills for living experiments and what the county is of course now mostly know for : growing marijuana.
In addition to the cannabis cash crops there is also an amazing natural beauty that is often undertold. Along the coast and waterways are dotted groves of the famous Redwood Trees. These are often covered in mist and have their own individual climates. Below the groves are lush green valleys of ferns set in a unique lighting. Also running through the county are 6 major rivers : the Salmon, the Klamath, The Mad, the Van Duzer, The Eel, the Mattole. There is even one rainforest near the Mad River Headwaters. Rising quickly off the coast are sets of mountains. In the North are the beginnings of the Trinity Alps that rise into the low 2000 feet range twice en route to Willow Creek. In the South mountains dot the entire valley inland of Garberville and Redway. This makes much of this land both remote and majestic.
As well as natural beauty there are interesting and unique lifestyles throughout the county. There are untold amounts of local cooperatives, associations and organizations that are dedicated to the progressive and social mindsets. Famous amoung these are the grocery coops, the farmers markets , local clinics, food banks, tree-saving efforts, land preservation societies and much much more. One can easily notice a profound leftist viewpoint throughout most of the county.
Humboldt County Stats
Population : 129,000 (70% urban, 30% rural)
Houses (2007) : 58,903
Homeownership rate, (2000) : 57.6%
Renter-occupied apartments : 21,714
Average wage per job in 2003: $27,275
Jobs (2003) : 53,346
Businesses (2002) : 11,798
Land area (2000) : 3,572.49 square miles
Persons per square mile (2000) : 35.4
