Arcata, California

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This is the best place to go if you’re a hippie.. well, besides the Haight-Ashbury. It’s located in Humboldt County, which is pretty well-known for it’s marijuana growing. The community is great, there are always festivals going on about the earth, such as the Mushroom Fair, the Hemp Festival, North Country Fair, everything you can imagine. I love it here! The people are so supportive of you.. they’ve even made a law which states that women can indeed go topless around the plaza in the centre of town. ; )

Arcata is a totally unreal place to check out and LIVE too! The rents are cheap and it seems everyone is way laid back, with Humboldt next door and being amongst the greatest redwoods in the world, how can you go wrong!

0 thoughts on “Arcata, California”

  1. I have a question more than a comment. My boyfriend and I are educators looking to relocate from Kauai. I was getting offers from that area. I would like to be around a like-minded, spirtiual community. The question is…I heard that the winter is so gray there. I was actually thinking Feb-May actually. What do you think? Anyone with a postive vibe would be much appreciated!!!

  2. Arcata is nice summer is great one of the most pretty places I have ever seen. Bring your own job if you want one, growing pot and logging are about the only $. Winter can be hard to be homeless lots of rain and cold, summer times easy to be a bum, lots of free food and gurrella camping and tons of hippies. Arcata is a magical place!!!!

  3. The weather in Arcata is wonderful The temp is great for getting outside and doing things. If fog bothers you, you will have a problem here.

  4. My poetry professor waltzed up to me today and said “ever heard of arcata?…my wife and i lived there for 6 years and everytime I see you I think ‘she belongs in arcata’.” So here I am, searching arcata on google and reading grand things, rude things, funny things–all the while thinking it does indeed sound like a move I want to make (my desire for a move out west has been whispering to my spirit for quite some time…and the redwood trees…hmm…i can think of nothing more lovely). Long story short…December will bring snow to Iowa and me to Arcata. Would anyone in the wide arcata world have need for a room-mate or know where an ridiculous mid-west gal could find herself one? Also…any advice or general entertaining stories would of course be appreciated.
    my thanks to you.
    amy

  5. My poetry professor waltzed up to me today and said “ever heard of arcata?…my wife and i lived there for 6 years and everytime I see you I think ‘she belongs in arcata’.” So here I am, searching arcata on google and reading grand things, rude things, funny things–all the while thinking it does indeed sound like a move I want to make (my desire for a move out west has been whispering to my spirit for quite some time…and the redwood trees…hmm…i can think of nothing more lovely). Long story short…December will bring snow to Iowa and me to Arcata. Would anyone in the wide arcata world have need for a room-mate or know where an ridiculous mid-west gal could find herself one? Also…any advice or general entertaining stories would of course be appreciated.
    my thanks to you.
    amy

  6. My wife and I are thinking of moving back to Arcata when we retire. We both graduated in the 1970s. How much has the town changed over the last thirty years? Is it still the friendly, laid back place that we loved?

  7. Hey. I am a fellow dreamer just as all of you seem to be. I want to break all the rules in my life, just in my own little personal life. Not the rules of society, but the rules of the society of my self. I need to push forward. I need to breathe independently. I am alive. Art and thought sustain me. If anyone wants to discuss what the hell we’re doing here, and how weird existing seems to be at times, e-mail me.

    jim_artist@yahoo.com

  8. IVE LIVED IN HUMBOLDT FOR 15 YRS AFTER COMING HERE IN 1989 FROM OHIO I FOUND ARCATA TO BE JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS PEOPLES COMMENTS. BUT!!!! TIMES HAVE CHANGED THE HIPPIES DOWN ON THE PLAZA ARNT KIND AND NICE HERE ANY MORE THEIR FU@#ING RUDE! PISSING ON THE STREETS AND PRIVATE PROPERTYS . THEY STEAL NOT ALLL OF THEM BUT MOST . THEY BEG FOR CHANGE IN A ATEMPT TO GET DRUNK FOR FREE.”HEY I NEED MY OWN MONEY TO DRINK” OR IF NOT TO DRINK UP AT LEAST TO PUT BACK FOR A RAINY DAY .WITCH THERE ARE ALOT OF THEM HERE. THE ADULTS DOWN ON THE PLAZA WHO USED TO BE KIND HIPPIES ARENT SCHOOLING THE YOUNGER KIDS TO THE WAY OF THE STREET OR THE WAY OF THE ”HIPPIE” LIFESTYLE STYLE THAT SOO MANY OF THEM PROCLAIM TO BE LIVING. THEIR ALL FULL OF FALSE HOPE OF DAYS THATS PASSED AND WILL NEVER BE AGIN. A BUNCH OF HAS BEEN HIPPIES WHO ARE TRYING TO RELIVE THEIR GLORY DAYS OF THE 60’S . INSTEAD OF TELLING THE KIDS WHAT THEY SHOULD OR SHOULDNT BE DOING . THE OLDER HIPPIES OR WANNA BE HIPPIES …..THERE ARE BOTH ”ACTUALL HIPPIES ”THAT WERE HERE IN THE DAY, AND ALSO THE ONES WHO WANTED TO BE AND WERE’NT !AND LIE AND SAY THEY WERE… INSTED OF THEM TELLING THE KIDS WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING THEIR NOT! INSTEAD THEIR BUYING UNDER AGED KIDS ALCHOL AND SUPPLYING THEM WITH ALOT OF METH OR CRANK SO THEY TURN OUT JUST AS BAD OR WORST THAN THE OLDER ADULTS! SO FOR ALL OF YOU THAT THINK THE PLACE IS HEAVEN OR A ”HAVEN” FOR FOR A BUNCH OF POT SMOKIN HIPPIES WAKE THE FUCK UP! THE HIPPIES ARE GONE THE DRUNKS AND TWEEKERS FROM EUREKA HAVE MOVED IN AND DADDYS LITTLE GIRL IS NOW DOWN AT THE PLAZA GETTING DRUNK AND PROBALY PREGNANT BY A TWEEKER OR OLD DRUNK DUDE WHO WAS A LITTLE BIT OF CRANK FOR THEM TO PUT UP THEIR NOSE. THE GLORY DAYS ARE GONE PEOPLE .THE WORDS AND TRUTH HAS BEEN SPOKEN !I HAVE NO LIL GIRL AND IM NOT AGAINST HIPPIES SO DONT TRY TO SAY IM JUST PICKIN ON A BUNCH DEFENSELESS HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM DOWN AT THE PLAZA BECAUSE I’M ONE OF THEM TOO. THE WORDS HAVE BEEN SPOKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. Hi……I have only seen pictures and stories from my best freind who lived in your beautiful city for a year……..I am currently in Albany New York……..I want to move out there but want a job before I go.anybody have any ideas…Im 44y/o…with real estate and sales background….would be happy to send a resume to anyone who may be interested in helping me out!…thanks alot and heres hoping! Ken

  11. Hi everyone!

    I lived in Arcata for about 10 years during the 80’s and 90’s, and I miss it so much I had to go back and visit this last spring. Now I’m stuck in Riverside and dreaming of redwoods and escaping from all this traffic.
    But I see that home prices have really gone up in the last few years since I’ve been away, is it still possible to buy a decent home there?

    ———-bead

  13. There is too much hate in this world without all of us trying to kick others down to get up. For all those people who say “get a job”, id rather do what helps my fellow human beings and save this planet than something that “helps the economy”, the US economy is fucked, it is based on a crumbling foundation of oil, deal with it, everything that you work for simply lines the pockets of the CEOs, it may buy you a few nice things but how rich are you really when you dont have love in your heart. Some hippies are lazy but at least they arent destroying the planet, some hippies may be unclean but how clean are you if you produce more pollution and waste than any other people on earth. For all those people looking for paradise, you will never find it anywhere else but right here, no matter what your material surroundings if you cant find love for EVERYONE and happiness in every moment then you will forever be searching. Our planet is dying and our project to turn it into paradise has failed, Gaia is screaming out for your help, if you stop this searching for one second and listen you will hear her cry.

  14. Hi. I’m looking to move somewhere to get away from the bulllshit I deal with in Utah. I went to Arcata once and I loved it. I love the Redwoods and I want to live in a place where people are more open and understanding. I thought Arcata could be the place. Can anyone tell me any advice or experiences they’ve had in Arcata? I want to get a small house for rent or something. If anyone could email me with info that would be very helpful. Thanks. caitmccomb@yahoo.com

    –Cait

  15. Arcata is heaven on Earth. There is no place like it in the entire world. It is the most mellow, free, inviting place I have ever been to. I lived there for six months in 2004. I am currently living in Utah but am planning to go back to Arcata within the next month. Even though I had almost no money the entire time that I was there, I had no problem getting by. The Endeavor provides a great meal every day (except weekends) to anyone who wants it. They also give out food boxes every week to anyone who is hungry enough to go and get one. On Mon., Wed., and Fri. you can go there to shower and they will even do your laundry for you! The staff is really nice and understanding. Most of them have “been there” themselves. There is a nice little library right in the center of town. Lots of books, computers, etc. The weed is great and easy to come by. Bring your rubbers boys because the pussy (and dick!) is plentiful. Can’t wait to get home!

  16. This is good, what other tips can ya give a brother on where to go for eats and sleeps? Also, what’s the possibility on getting a foot in the door on some regular type work and such? I plan on visiting once the rainy season begins to lose some steam. Thanks.

  18. I am a republican. I moved to Arcata in 1989. I left 9 months later. The place is a haven for leftist extremists who sponge off of working people in the name of freedom. They demand diversity but choose to live in an all white community. They demand environmental reform but drive oil leaking old buses. They demand freedom but dump the burden on others. Arcata was a magnet for druggies, drifters and the homeless back in the ’80’s. I can’t imagine the stench of the wanna-be hippies loafing around almost 10 years later. Tune in, turn on and get your act together. Better yet stay there so the rest of us don’t have to put up with it.

    -Dee Tee

  19. I do not understand why Republicans and hateful people come on this site to criticize and put others down. Arcata is the most wonderful and beautiful place that I have ever been! I am going to college up there next year. Never have I been to a place where the community as a whole cares so much about social and environmental progress. If you care about making a difference in the world, or being around people who are not angry, hateful or superficial– then this would definitely be the place to go!!!! I cannot emphasize how GREAT this little redwood town is…..

  20. if you travel 5 minutes out of arcata to the ocean or forest away from the dead beats that smell like tuna’s pussy to mad river or to college cove you can relax and get away from it all. The bud is great here but that is it. Nothing else.

  21. Well me myself I have never acctually been there to Arcata but I am going to get the chance this summer to visit Hippieland and I think I will really like it there because Spokane, Wa just sucks ass. I hate it here I need to be amongst my fellow hippies. Well I shall see you all when I get there.

  23. I live in East Tennessee–born and raised here. The problem is that it seems to be the center of the “Bible Belt” and the center of ignorance, hate, fear or suspicion of anything different–even knowledge. People actually go around saying books are stupid and going to college is a waste of time and money. People around here are mean and distrustful toward anyone that has an education other than teaching. During the years 1992-1994, my three sons and I were terrorized and harrassed because my middle son told his classmates that he believed in evolution. This was a public school and it so happens it was on the day the Bible teacher came (Wednesday) and the teacher tried to force my son to read from the Bible when his classmates told her that he believed in evolution. $#%@ hit the fan. My two youngest sons were in the 3rd and 4th grade. The principal took my youngest into his office, shut the door, and interigated him for two hours without a break. He was trying to get him to say that I was abusing him and that I was a devil worshiper. The school children taunted my sons with names like monkey boy and devil worshiper. At the time, in the beginning of all this, I was a Christian. By the end, those two years and all those hateful Christians cured that. It was awlful. We got all sorts of hateful phone calls, preachers, who didn’t even know me, were getting up in church and damning me to hell and asking their congergation to pray against me, and we even received threats from the KKK.
    The thing is, I’m a pagan or newager now. My children and I survived those horrible two years, but we still have a few sore spots from it all. I finally was able to move from that county this passed summer, but I would love to move somewhere far away from Tennessee or any place that is full of right wing conservatives. Dispite all that Christian stuff, this area seems to be the drug capital of America–especially crack and meth–and these druggies are not the happy peaceful lot either. Even in the rural areas, it’s not safe to leave your door unlock at night or in the day time while alone. There are few jobs and druggies want money or something they can trade for drugs. It’s getting unsafe to drive, too, because the druggies hyped up on meth and the like are quick to road rage. Even our pets get stolen and sold to research companies and to collegies for biology labs. They can get five to ten dollars a piece for them.
    Then there is the fact there are very few people around here that I can hold an intelligent conversation with, much less, without Jesus, God, or church being brought up. My sons and I are close–thank goodness or we wouldn’t have anyone to talk to.
    We have been wanting to move to an area that is more liberal, but not full of violence and crime. We like nature and a small town atmosphere. And after this last election when You-know-who got re-elected, we are even more disgusted with area of America. We looked at the map and all the blue areas were either up north (My thin blood and middle-aged bones couldn’t handle that.) or the west coast. We thought we might investigate upper California, hopefully it’s not too hot or too dry and still be nice liberal people. We’re used to a lot of green in the landscape and I don’t think any of us would be too happy in a dry area.
    My middle son just graduated from college with a degree in math. I have a 2 year degree in architectural design and a 4 year degree in psychology.
    So any real information about Humboldt and the surrounding area would be greatly appreciated. I see nothing wrong with smoking pot as long as it’s in moderation. I rarely smoke it myself–don’t like the way it makes me feel, plus the stuff around here sort of sucks. But I really dislike crack and meth. I don’t like how these drugs make people act. My biggest gripe about pot is that it is illegal and I don’t think it’s worth going to jail over.
    My email address is: Bridgettblessed@WMconnect.com
    Peace and love.

  24. hi people. I’m waiting on my passport so i can get up to northern california, right now i’m living in toronto canada. i can’t stand the reality here and i’m not looking for some utopia, just a laid back warm place where i can do some experincing. I’m planning on bumming around and living off the tent on my back. From how i here some of the locals in the towns i have read about seem not to like my kind. I’m not looking for some place to panhandle and buy crack. All i wanna do is sleep in my tent peacefully, it would be nice if it could be on a beach, an read, listen to music, play music and write. Anything thing beyond that, such as meeting interesting people and having mind explanding adventures, drugs or not, would just be a plus. So all am asking is sum advise on where i should go to find what i am looking, and a place where i can avoid as much hassle as possible.
    so please anything you can post that could help me out would be great
    or email at revolutionscribe@hotmail.com
    Peace and Love to you all
    many thanks

  25. Hi everyone I just moved to Arcata and absolutly love it. You’re five minutes from the ocean and the forest which gives you a great opertunity to relax in different environments. I’m a people watcher and I would say my only real complaint is the definitive lines between the types of people. It is very easy to tell the difference between a college student and a local. I was in town for less than three days when some ignorant fool flashed me a Nazi salute. This is definetly not mainstream public, but there is a strong “hick” mentality in the area. Besides that, there are farmer’s markets in the Spring and mild weather in the fall. My tent has been either set up or drying out since I got here. Lot of luck to travelers. jamesvank@cox.net

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