While You're Here
In Eureka: Old Town's Victorian blocks are where much of the festival happens, with galleries, bookshops, and places to eat within a few minutes' walk. The Redwood Sky Walk at Sequoia Park takes you a hundred feet up into the redwood canopy on a series of bridges. The Madaket, the oldest passenger vessel in continuous service in the United States, runs cruises on Humboldt Bay from the foot of C Street, right beside one of the festival venues.
A bit further: Redwood National and State Parks begin under an hour north, where Prairie Creek has Roosevelt elk grazing in the meadows and some of the tallest trees standing anywhere. Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the Avenue of the Giants are about an hour south, through the largest remaining old-growth coast redwood forest. The beaches north and south of Eureka are wide, quiet, and mostly empty in September.
More to do: Visit Eureka · Visit Redwoods
Where to stay
Make a weekend of it.
Music and events run until late on all three nights, so this is a festival that rewards staying over. Late September is the clearest stretch of weather on the North Coast and a busy time in Eureka, so book early. Several hotels sit within walking distance of Old Town, and there are more along Broadway a short drive out.
Check out the lodging options here.
Looking for something else? Visit Redwoods and Visit Eureka
both have full lodging listings for the area.
Access and What to Bring
Accessibility:
Every venue is wheelchair accessible. Blue Ox Millworks has a gravel parking lot, which is firm but slower going on wheels. The historic skid camp on the Blue Ox grounds is not accessible, and no festival events take place there. Saturday's other daytime programming is fully accessible, including the waterfront stage at Madaket Plaza and kids' programming at the county library.
What to bring: Late September on the coast is mild and often bright, but it cools off quickly once the sun drops and a good deal of the festival is outdoors. Bring
a jacket you can carry.
Comfortable shoes help,
since many of the
venues are walkable.
Questions: Email us
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PLAN YOUR VISIT
Getting here
Driving: Eureka sits on Highway 101 on California's North Coast. Roughly five hours from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, three and a half from Redding, four from Medford.
Flying: California Redwood Coast–Humboldt County Airport (ACV) is twenty minutes north of downtown, with rental cars at the airport. United flies from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver; Alaska from Seattle; Breeze from Las Vegas, Burbank, and Provo.
Parking: Street parking is free in Old Town with a two-hour limit. The city lots on Third and on E Street are paid and are the safer bet if you're staying for the afternoon. Parking information from the City of Eureka.
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Lodging Options
Walk to the Festival
The Inn at 2nd & C · 139 Second Street · (707) 444-3344 · historiceaglehouse.com
A family-run boutique inn in the 1888 Eagle House, and a festival venue in its own right. Friday evening brings line dancing and salsa downstairs at Phatsy Kline's.
Carter House Inns · 301 L Street · (707) 444-8062 · carterhouse.com
Four Victorian buildings in the Old Town historic district, a few blocks east of the Gazebo.
Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn · 232 W 5th Street · (707) 443-2234 · humboldtbayinn.com
A few blocks south of Old Town, with the boardwalk in the other direction.
Eureka Inn, Trademark Collection by Wyndham · 518 7th Street · (707) 273-6584
A Tudor Revival landmark in the middle of town, walkable to the downtown venues.
Motel 6 and Studio 6 · 270 5th Street · (707) 443-2206
Locally owned, both recently remodeled, and the most affordable rooms within walking distance.
A Short Drive
Red Lion Hotel Eureka · 1929 4th Street · (707) 445-0844
On Highway 101, with a complimentary airport shuttle.
Ramada Bayside Inn & Suites · 1209 Fourth Street · (707) 443-1601
Central and straightforward.
Holiday Inn Express · 815 W Wabash Avenue · (707) 269-0682
About a mile from Old Town.
Home2 Suites by Hilton · 2112 Broadway · (707) 442-2949
Suites with kitchens, plus an indoor pool.
Comfort Inn Humboldt Bay · 4260 Broadway · (707) 444-2019
South of downtown on Highway 101.
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Looking for something else? Visit Eureka has full lodging listings for the area.
Culture Commons Festival · September 25–27, 2026 · Eureka, California
events@eurekaculturalarts.org · @eurekaculturalarts
Perform, exhibit, vend, or volunteer · Eureka Cultural Arts District