Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge — Attraction in Fortuna

It's been a fixture of my life since childhood. Its beautiful, and the effort to to preserve (and reclaim) Wetlands here has helped make much of Humboldt Bay even more gorgeous and peaceful...so much so, my words do not do it Justice. Areas that once contained large Forest Products Mills & Ranches (inc. extensive diking) are now restored (and protected) to Natural in ways SF Bay can never be.

In a large County with the longest Coastline in Calif., appreciating where the Bay is NOW vs. years ago is worth noting & seeing. IF you are seeking THAT SPECIFIC bird sighting, then spend the time, for sure (especially near Table Bluff & west toward the Pacific- the southern boundary & South Bay Area, which is also farther away from US 101, and often silent!).

IF you have limited time, though, consider investing precious time in the Trinidad and Patrick's Point Area Beaches and State Park for a spectacular Coastal Experience (25 miles North). But that area is busier, especially in the peak months, between May and October.

*Honorable Mention: Arcata Marsh Area (still not as pretty as Trinidad, but "loaded" with seasonal birds).

BUT do eat/get what you need in Eureka/Arcata, as there are limited Services beyond.

**Since this area is usually the 1st place Travelers arrive at the actual Pacific Coast, when driving up from the South, consider timing the visit @ Magic Hour, when the light is just amazing, about 2 hours before Sunset, and even more "golden"...

What a beautiful place. Even though I follow direction by making contact with the ranger headquarters to make sure service dogs are permitted(it's a wildlife refuge) and in this case the ranger absolutely approved and also pleasantly said to have a wonderful walk. As I'm walking the trail l, within 3 minutes, was confronted by an angry walker and was threatened with law enforcement and jail and the seizure of my dog. I politely encouraged him to call the ranger station and have them come down for a chat. Behavior like this from the average Joe is a clear observation of rhe lack of knowledge but more of their opinion and it's completely unnecessary but also completely avoidable as well. I would encourage that the staff at the humbolt bay national...to consider posting signs that clearly display the rules and regs concerning animals and service dogs in particular. With clear definitions of rules outlined for all to read so that confrontations such as this don't occur. The man also had with him his adolescent son l, whom I assume, will forever be altered because of that interaction the he didn't deserve to witness because of a documented and registered service dog. Let's come...

Double Rainbow Man actually Humboldt Bay has one of the best water processing plants in the world for Wastewater some people from Japan it come here to study how we set it up the bird sanctuary / wastewater treatment plant you can access the little park there if you get off the first exit into Arcata go up past 1 light and take a left or just go down G Street there's plenty of parking there heading south on G Street there are a few miles of trails there and you're always going to see some bird Wildlife there I have a picture or two of the white egrets that are always very photogenic there is a picnic area over towards the bay and people always walk their dogs around there there's a small boat ramp that's public but you need to know the tides if you're going to launch from there it's a great place for bird watching and you can actually fish from the last pond but I don't know I wouldn't probably keep on...