Fortuna's climate is wet, mild, and quite different from inland California: summers in the low 70s, winters in the 40s and 50s, with steady rain from November through March. The third week of July, when the Fortuna Rodeo runs, is the busiest and most characterful time to visit — book accommodation well in advance for that week.
For redwood walking and Eel River swimming, August and September are the best months: the rain has stopped, the river is low and clear, and the redwoods are at their summer best. The Christmas season has its own charm — small-town America on a budget — with parades and tree lightings in early December.