15 Best Things to Do in Garberville, CA

If you want a place that will take your breath away, Garberville, California, is the perfect destination.

With its towering redwoods, rushing rivers, and pristine coastline, Garberville is an outdoor lover's paradise.

Garberville may be a small and quaint census-designated place, but there is plenty to do in this town in Humboldt County.

There's no shortage of things to do in this beautiful town.

In the Fork of Eel River and south-southeast Eureka, Garberville is a hidden gem in the Emerald Triangle.

This town is famous as the center of the marijuana industry.

It's known for its annual Green Rush Days festival, which celebrates all things cannabis.

Considered the main town in the Mateel Region, Garberville is also home to the Headwaters Forest Reserve.

It's the largest protected old-growth redwood forest in the world.

The town of Garberville started as a post office in 1874; its postmaster, Jacob C. Garber, later gave it his name.

So, if you are up for an adventure, here are the best things to do in Garberville, CA:

Take a Rest at the One Log House

For those passing Hwy 101, the One Log House is a great place to take a break from driving.

Constructed in 1946, the One Log House is made of redwood over 2,100 years old.

It took eight months to carve the hollow on the four-ton tree.

The One Log House is a cafe, a gift shop, a nursery, and a dispensary all in one.

You can appreciate its beauty by having a roadside picnic and admiring the lush green forest surrounding it.

The One Log House also hosts Harvest Party Fall and Emerald Cup events.

Explore the Southern Humboldt Community Park

Sitting along the Eel River, the Southern Humboldt Community Park is one of the best places to go for a picnic, a swim, or relax and take in the scenery.

The 430-acre park is known for its natural beauty and is a great place to bring the kids for a fun day.

There are several things to do at the Park, including hiking, fishing, swimming, playing on the playground, or picnicking.

To guarantee future generations may enjoy this rich, diversified area, Southern Humboldt Community Park has a nine-hole disc golf course.

It also maintains a well-stocked farm with a ten-acre vineyard.

It works to develop opportunities for recreation, culture, agriculture and education, and celebration.

You can also go camping at the Southern Humboldt Community Park Campground, which has RV hookups and tent sites.

Explore the Wonders of Julia Morgan Redwood Grove Estate

The renowned architect Julia Morgan once owned the eponymous Redwood Grove Estate.

Julia Morgan also designed Hearst Castle.

The estate is situated on a remote stretch of the Eel River and is only accessible by boat.

The Julia Morgan Redwood Grove Estate spans 2 1/2 acres in Humboldt County, surrounded by towering redwoods.

It has a beautiful redwood grove, home to some of the tallest trees in the world.

The property built in 1926 is a Tudor-style home.

Today, it has become a museum open to the public.

The house is designed with original redwood trusses and a ten-foot window in its central living room.

Take a Getaway at Richardson Grove State Park

Richardson Grove Park is one of the oldest state parks in California.

It also carries the Sequoia sempervirens, or redwoods, which can grow more than 300 feet tall.

The Park is situated along the Eel River and has a beautiful temperate rainforest with giant sequoias, Douglas firs, and maples.

Visitors can enjoy many things to do in the Park, including hiking, picnicking, fishing, swimming, and camping.

Richardson Grove State Park has 160 campsites across Oak Flat, Madore, and Huckleberry.

The Park has RV hookups and tent sites, a picnic table, a food locker, and showers.

Richardson Grove State Park also features a Visitors Center with displays of endemic wildlife.

Enjoy a Picnic at the Benbow State Recreation Area

The Benbow State Recreation Area is where you can hang out with your family and friends.

The recreation area is in Humboldt County, with tall trees surrounding it.

The Benbow State Recreation Area has a picnic area and is a great place to have a barbecue or picnic.

The recreation area features a campground perfect for a fun day, with lots of shady oak groves and a playground for the kids.

The Benbow State Recreation Area also features trails, the Trap Mill and Pioneer Trails, where you will enjoy a scenic hike.

When you get hungry, you can go to the Benbow Inn restaurant, where the Inn was built in the 1920s.

Bring Your Kids to the Tooby Memorial Park

A small area within the Southern Humboldt Community Park, the Tooby Memorial Park is a place for a day of fun.

The Park boasts picnic tables and green space to run around.

Sports lovers will enjoy its basketball court, volleyball court, and horseshoe pits.

Tooby Memorial Park is also home to the Garberville Little League, a youth baseball organization.

The river is also open for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and rafting.

Tooby Memorial Park is also a great place to have a barbecue or picnic for those who want an outdoor party.

Visit the Legend of the Bigfoot Gift Shop

Visiting Garberville will not be complete without a trip to the Bigfoot Gift Shop.

The Bigfoot Gift Shop is a unique store that sells items related to the legendary Bigfoot.

The store is on a wooded hillside, one of the area's most popular tourist attractions.

The Bigfoot Gift Shop sells various items, including T-shirts, souvenirs, and books about Bigfoot.

The Carlson family has owned the gift shop for 41 years.

You'll find several cute carved statues where you can take photos.

Likewise, you can take a photo of your children with the giant statue of Bigfoot as a souvenir.

Children will also enjoy feeding the fish in the pond.

Bring Your Friends to the Benbow KOA 9-Hole Golf Course

The Benbow KOA 9 Hole Golf Course in Humboldt County offers various challenges for all players.

The Benbow KOA 9 Hole Golf Course is also great for relaxing and enjoying the scenic beauty.

The course is in the heart of the redwoods and is the perfect place to enjoy peace.

The Benbow KOA 9 Hole Golf Course is also a great place to take your family for a fun day.

Visitors to the hotel can play nine holes of golf at the Benbow KOA.

After spending the day on the green, you can stop by the lounge for a cool drink and meal.

Explore the Redwood National State Parks

The Redwood National State Park thrives in Humboldt County and takes care of the ancient redwood forests.

You'll find it in Weott, California, 16 minutes from Garberville.

The Redwood National State Park is also home to the world's tallest trees, the redwoods.

You can explore the different trails that the park has to offer or go on a ranger-led tour.

There are also picnic places and campgrounds you can also go to.

The Redwood National State Park also offers ranger-led programs like hikes and lectures about the redwoods.

In addition to the redwoods, you may also see some animals, such as black bears, deer, and coyotes.

Live like Royalty at Benbow Historic Inn

The Benbow Historic Inn is a rustic and charming hotel amid redwood trees.

Built in the 1920s, Benbow Historic Inn is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

The architect Albert Farr designed the building; he was also the architect of the Wolf House.

Celebrities like Clark Gable, Herbert Hoover, Lord Halifax, and Nelson Eddy frequented the Inn.

The Benbow Historic Inn is a great place to stay if you want to experience a taste of luxury.

The hotel features several amenities, including a golf course, boating, and trails.

It used to overlook Benbow Lake until the lake dried out in 2017.

The Benbow Historic Inn is also a great place to take your family vacation.

Get Fresh Produce at the Garberville Farmer's Market

Explore the Garberville Farmer's Market to get fresh and local produce.

Founded in 1994, the Garberville Farmer's Market is where you can buy some of the freshest fruits and vegetables.

The local community strongly supports the farmers' market, as it is one of the few places where they can get some of the best produce.

The market is open every Friday in Town Square.

Live music will entertain you as you stroll through the market, and there are also several food vendors.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Stroll among the Redwoods at the Avenue of the Giants

You may find the world's largest remaining grove of virgin redwoods in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, around the Avenue of the Giants.

The Avenue of the Giants is a 31-mile long scenic drive that takes you through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

The Avenue of the Giants is known for its stunning view of the giant redwoods that line the road.

There are a lot of places to pull over and take pictures.

The Avenue of the Giants also features trails for those who love hiking.

There are picnic areas along the way; you can also stop and hike through the redwoods.

Discover the Hidden Swimming Spots of the South Fork Eel River

The South Fork Eel River is a popular tourist attraction in Humboldt County and is the biggest stream of the Eel River.

The river is in the middle of the redwoods and is a great place to swim.

You can only access several hidden swimming spots along the river by foot.

You must take a hike through the redwoods to get to these hidden swimming spots.

It is also the place to go fishing if you love the calm waters.

You can find some trout in the river and several other fish species.

Embark on an Adventure with Redwood Adventures

Discover the wonders of the ancient redwoods with Redwood Adventures.

As one of the only 23 UN World Heritage Sites in the United States, Redwood National is home to the tallest trees on Earth.

You'll find this place in Leggett, California, 39 minutes from Garberville.

This is an ideal place for those who love nature and hiking and look for the oldest remnant of trees.

Some of them are as old as 160 million.

You can stay at the Elk Meadow Cabins and have breakfast with elks in the morning.

There are also other animals that you may see, such as black bears, deer, and coyotes.

Redwood Adventures offers different tours, including a backpacking trip, where you can stay overnight in the redwoods.

Redwood Adventures includes a tour of the Avenue of the Giants.

Admire the Humboldt Botanical Gardens

The Humboldt Botanical Gardens is a must-see for those who love nature and gardening.

It's in Eureka, California, 59 minutes from Garberville.

The gardens are on a 44.5-acre site, and they feature a variety of different gardens.

There is the Low Coast Brewery Native Plant Garden, which features various plants native to Humboldt County.

You can go to the Moss Family Temperate Woodland Garden, where tender temperate plants are cultivated.

The Humboldt Botanical Gardens also features Sarah's Garden, which will stimulate your senses with its varied fragrances and stunning flowers.

There is also a café on-site, as well as a gift shop.

Final Thoughts

Garberville is a town of around 1,000 inhabitants in Humboldt County.

It's famous for its easygoing lifestyle, warm neighborhood, and picturesque redwood trees.

It's the ideal place to chill out, go for hikes, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

There are also different things to do in the neighboring villages and towns.

So, if you are ever in Humboldt County, check out Garberville.

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