Sequoia Park on W Street in Eureka combines a free municipal zoo with a grove of old-growth coast redwoods — one of the few such groves accessible from within a city. The trees are enormous: some over 50 metres tall, with bases you need several people to reach around, and the understory has the characteristic cathedral quiet of old-growth redwood forest. The grove alone is worth the visit, and the contrast with the surrounding residential streets is striking.
The zoo occupies the park's eastern section and houses a modest collection of California native wildlife alongside a few exotic species. It is a neighbourhood zoo in the best sense — small enough to cover in an hour, well maintained, and genuinely enjoyed by local families. Admission is free. The park also has a children's playground and picnic areas. The redwood grove is at its most atmospheric on foggy mornings, when the trees disappear into the mist.