The Plaza is the heart of Arcata — a grassy square lined with independent bookshops, cafes, co-ops, and the handsome 1857 Humboldt County Courthouse. On summer evenings it fills with students, locals, and the occasional traveling musician. The farmers market runs here on Saturdays from June through October. It's walkable from anywhere in the city center and a natural starting point for exploring.
Arcata Plaza
Grassy town square lined with bookshops, co-ops, and the 1857 courthouse
A story
The statue at the center of the Plaza is William McKinley, the 25th US President — an odd choice for one of the most progressive small cities in America. Efforts to remove it have been debated for decades, and it remains, a peculiar landmark in a town that has elected the Green Party to city council.