The best walks and hikes around Cutten

Surrounded by its wide, windswept sand and rolling dunes, this natural barrier makes the beach an uncrowded spot just minutes from Eureka. You can often find a secluded stretch all to yourself. There’s no fee to visit, and leashed dogs are welcome. Just remember to pack out what you bring in, there aren’t many facilities, but that’s part of its charm.

Stop by the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center (open Wed–Sun, 10am–4pm) to explore local exhibits and learn about the area. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the trailhead, where signs mark the route. Your pets are welcome, but you must keep them leashed.

Waterline Trail meanders through the protected area of the Samoa Dunes & Wetlands, leading you toward the Manila Dunes. The terrain varies between soft sand and patches of vegetation, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on sand. The trail connects with a network of paths across the dunes, and in some areas, you're free to find your own way.

The Humboldt Coastal Nature Center is unique in the region. Its location makes it a public gateway to over 1,000 acres of coastal land, and its facilities and programs make it the only center on California's North Coast where people of all ages and abilities experience and learn about all of Humboldt Bay's diverse habitats. The Humboldt Coastal Nature Center's exhibits, trails, and programs combine experiential education, conservation-oriented recreational access, and hands-on restoration activities to enhance public understanding of local coastal environments and inspire community-oriented stewardship of these fragile resources.

Eureka is a city in Humboldt County, northern California. The U.S. Census Bureau reported a population of 26,512[1] in the 2020 census. The urban area has a size of 37.4 km². The urban landscape is characterized by deep furrow-like valleys called “gullies” and redwood forest. Well-known features of the town are the many Victorian houses and the Pulp Mill. On October 15, 1991, Old Town Eureka was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District.

West of Eureka, a sandy strip of land stretches between Humboldt Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The Samoa Dunes Recreation Area, once a seasonal food gathering place for the Wiyote Indians and later, during World War II, a Coast Guard monitoring post, is now a multi-amusement park that not only attracts Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, but also Attracts hikers, surfers, beachcombers and fishing enthusiasts from all over the region. Activities: Hiking, beachcombing, fishing, bird watching, surfing, OVH use in select areas, boating - Next to Samoa boat ramp.

“The Pinc,” as the new owners now affectionately call it, has seen plenty of history through its jewel-toned stained glass windows at 202 M Street in Eureka. Located on Humboldt Bay, the majestic, historic home was built in 1889 by lumber magnate William Carson as a wedding gift for his son J. Milton Carson and his wife Mary Amelia (Bell) Carson. William lived across the street in the famous Carson mansion, considered one of the most magnificent Victorian homes in America. The J. Milton Carson House, known locally as “The Pink Lady” over the years, is crowned with iconic, ornamental Victorian features. Famous as a classic example of the Queen Anne architectural style, its large bay windows, delicate cornices, graceful spires, and lace gingerbread trim attract tourists and architecture lovers alike.

Built as a residence by nature loving Stamps couple, donated after their death as an environmental education center