There’s some nice running in Eureka, a port city in Northern California known for its scenic waterfront and historic Old Town. The best place to run in Eureka is the 6-mile Eureka Waterfront Trail, which features wonderful views of Arcata Bay and the North Bay Channel. Add on by creating your own tour of Old Town, with its 150+ preserved Victorian buildings.
The Waterfront Trail can be accessed right from downtown Eureka (C St. through I St.). You can run up to 2 miles north to Tydd St., which features nice views of the marina and bay. The trail also goes for ~4 miles south of downtown. The trail is paved the whole way — in some sections it’s a cycle path along the road, and in other sections it’s a more dedicated path. One of the nicest sections is the southernmost ~1.2 miles, from Truesdale to Pound Rd. (this section also known as the Hikshari’ Trail).
Eureka Old Town. Joe Mabel.
Add-On: Eureka Old Town. Create your own route around historic Old Town, enjoying the 150 Victorian buildings. Some of the best streets for running are 1st St. through 3rd St. close to the water. The streets around Greenside Park are also pleasant. Hillsdale St., located between 12th and 13th Streets and E and C Streets has some of the best-preserved Victorian homes.
There’s some nice running in Eureka, a port city in Northern California known for its scenic waterfront and historic Old Town. The best place to run in Eureka is the 6-mile Eureka Waterfront Trail, which features wonderful views of Arcata Bay and the North Bay Channel. Add on by creating your own tour of Old Town, with its 150+ preserved Victorian buildings.
The Waterfront Trail can be accessed right from downtown Eureka (C St. through I St.). You can run up to 2 miles north to Tydd St., which features nice views of the marina and bay. The trail also goes for ~4 miles south of downtown. The trail is paved the whole way — in some sections it’s a cycle path along the road, and in other sections it’s a more dedicated path. One of the nicest sections is the southernmost ~1.2 miles, from Truesdale to Pound Rd. (this section also known as the Hikshari’ Trail).
Eureka Old Town. Joe Mabel.
Add-On: Eureka Old Town. Create your own route around historic Old Town, enjoying the 150 Victorian buildings. Some of the best streets for running are 1st St. through 3rd St. close to the water. The streets around Greenside Park are also pleasant. Hillsdale St., located between 12th and 13th Streets and E and C Streets has some of the best-preserved Victorian homes.
Scroll Down For Route Maps
Essentials
Up to 6.2 miles (10 km) one-way
Fairly flat
Can start from downtown Eureka. North end is @Tydd St., south end @Pound Ave.
In Mendocino, there's wonderful running in Mendocino Headlands State Park. The 2.4 mile Coastal Trail runs along a coastal bluff, with great views. The 4.8 mile Big River Trail is a rolling hills, fairly easy trail run. Numerous additional trails and fire roads for running.
Just north of Mendocino, there's nice running in the 300-acre Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park on ~4 miles of trails around a protected 1909 lighthouse and along a dramatic coastal bluff.
Beautiful run along an old coastal road that's now a wide paved trail along a coastal bluff in the Noyo Headlands. Part of the the California Coastal Trail in Mendocino County. Great views! Can add with the coastal trail in Mackerricher State Park.
Scenic coastal running just north of Fort Bragg. The highlight of the park is the 5 mile Mackerricher Coastal Trail, an old road that follows the coastline from Glass Beach to Inglenook. Combine w/Noyo Headlands Trail for more gorgeous coastal bluff running.
The beach, part of Mackerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, is wonderful for running. Wide, with firm packed sand (except at high tide). Great sunsets! The beach is 3.5 miles long. Good add-on options along nearby coastal bluff trails
This huge state park located 30 miles southeast of Eureka features the largest expanse of ancient redwoods left on the planet. There are 100 miles of trails and miles of scenic roads for running in this gorgeous old-growth redwood forest.
Run among some of the tallest trees on earth, as well as vast prairies, oak woodlands, riverways, and 40 miles of rugged coastline in the 133,000-acre Redwood National and State parks near the California-Oregon Border.
There are miles of scenic waterfront running options in Crescent City, the small Del Norte County city known for its crescent-shaped beach. Our routes around Crescent Harbor and along Pebble Beach Dr. can be mix & matched. Beach is also runnable.
These two parks in near Crescent City are part of the Redwood National & State Parks system. Here, we recommend some of the best running among the redwoods, from easier trails & logging roads, to some more challenging trail running options.
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!
Subscribe
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Essentials
Up to 6.2 miles (10 km) one-way
Fairly flat
Can start from downtown Eureka. North end is @Tydd St., south end @Pound Ave.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!