Eureka !!

  Once we left the Santa Rosa area we debated whether to head straight to South Dakota or to take a little more time in northern CA.    We are so glad we decided to spend a few days in Eureka CA about 270 miles north of San Francisco.  It was the perfect place to park the coach and drive the Jeep north to the Redwood National Park and Trees of Mystery and south to the Avenue of the Giants.   It is located on the Humboldt Bay (the second largest bay in California)  and has a very distinguished and active  historic boardwalk and downtown.




Active with seals...

boats....

and kayakers.  Is that a word?

Entrance to the boardwalk displays a mast with nautical flags.  




But what Eureka is really noted for is their Victorian architecture.

Performing Arts Building

and the Carson Mansion.  Built in 1886, 16,200 sq ft on 3 floors  for $80,000 with a Douglas Fir Frame and Redwood exterior for lumber baron William Carson, co-owner of Dolbeer & Carson Lumber Co.
It is considered the most grand of Victorian homes in America and is one of the most written about and photographed Victorian houses in California.  It is now home to a private members only club. 

Eureka also has some neat murals painted on their downtown commerical buildings.

Hope all is well!