It’s no secret that Northern California is home to dozens of “hippie towns” that look like they are stuck in the sixties. Well, the town featured here might just be the biggest hippie town of them all. California has always been on the progressive side when it comes to environmental issues, but this town takes it to a whole other level. On top of that, this town is home to all sorts of attractions and things to do. It should definitely be on your list of places to visit.
Arcata is a city of approximately 17,000 people in Humboldt County. The town maintains a unique "hippie" vibe with a strong love for the environment despite being originally established as a logging community in the late 1800s.
Walking through the town's square, you'll definitely come across some unique characters. The square, known as The Plaza, is home to dozens of small specialty shops and community spaces. Humboldt County's largest farmers market even takes place here.
Arcata is the location of Humboldt State University. A lot of the hippie atmosphere can be contributed to the large amount of college students residing in the town. This is one of the few places left that is reminiscent of the free-spirited era of the 1960s.
The town is home to a substantial art community. It seems that wherever you look, art can be found. The town famously hosts an event called "The Kinetic Sculpture Race" in which artists design man-powered vehicles, many of which look like something out of a fantasy land.
Arcata is perhaps most notable for their incredibly progressive politics. The town was the very first city in the country to elect a majority of city council members from the Green Party.
The hippie atmosphere runs deep in the town's DNA. Arcata even put a cap on the number of chain restaurants allowed to be in the city. They were also the first town to ban the growth of Genetically Modified Organisms within city limits.
The Arcata Community Forest resides right beside the town. The forest is considered one of the most well-preserved forested areas in the country thanks to the people of Arcata who devote their energy to preserving this beautiful piece of wilderness. The forest is the perfect place to get lost for a day.
If you visit this charming town, don't forget to stop by Clam Beach County Park. This beach offers miles of undisturbed shoreline where nothing is audible but the sounds of the ocean.
