The Perfect Northern California Family Vacation
Humboldt Bay Social Club is a low-key resort on the coast of Northern California that welcomes families of all kinds, children of all ages and dogs of all breeds. We believe good design means accessible design, so our Cabins, Suites, and Lobby Bar are both beautiful and comfortable. That vintage leather couch? Your dog can sleep on it. Those cool tin mugs? You can take them to the beach. Whether using the Social Club as your base for exploring Humboldt’s Redwoods, a weekend getaway with friends and family, or hunkering down for a total retreat, our accommodations are designed to feel like home.
A Family Friendly Beach Resort - Oyster Beach
Oyster Beach at the Social Club is situated on Humboldt Bay, so its soft sand and tiny, gentle waves make it one of the most kid-friendly beaches in Northern California. Each Suite is outfitted with a stocked wagon to make it easy to bring the family to our beach. Older kids will love exploring our 22 acres of dunes, meadow, and eucalyptus groves. Every accommodation at the Social Club is dog-friendly, and we love seeing dogs living their best life on our beach.
KID-FRIENDLY Lodging Near the Redwoods
Humboldt Bay Social Club is a beachside resort nestled in the dunes just outside of Arcata and Eureka. Our Suites are near three redwood forests, Arcata Community Forest, Sequoia Park, and Headwaters Forest Reserve. Our hotel and vacation rentals are 40 minutes North of Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Avenue of the Giants. Our accommodations are 1 hour South of Redwood National Park. Both drives are incredibly scenic and offer many spots to stop, take pictures and explore along the way.
Things to Do with Your Kids in Northern California
Many families come to Northern California to explore our epic redwoods. If you’re hiking with children, there are several kid-friendly hikes we recommend. Fern Canyon is a one mile hike along a verdant creek that leads to one of the most isolated beaches in the Country, Gold Bluffs Beach. Fern Canyon is beloved by visitors and locals, but in Spring and Fall you may still have the place to yourself.
For an adventure closer to the Social Club, the Ma-le’l Dunes has several short trails that lead through enormous, other-worldly dunes. Pro tip: Local kids sled down them. You can hike all the way to the ocean, or just run up and down in the moonscape.
On a rainy day, take the kids to the local children’s museum, Redwood Discovery Museum. It’s tiny, but mighty.
Redwood Edventures Quests are scavenger hunts with clues leading through state and local parks throughout Northern California. The quests can be completed in under an hour, or stretched out to take all day if that’s what you need. The quests are perfect for first-time visitors to Redwood National Park, Humboldt Redwoods State Park and other regional parks. Instructions for each quest are at the informational kiosk or visitor center at each park or can be downloaded from the website. Once the missions are completed, kids can collect a Redwood Edventures patch from park officials.
The best (and only) mini-golf in Humboldt is located right down the road from the Social Club. Lighthouse Plaza in Manila is a sight to behold. Even if you’re not an avid mini-golf fan, this course will make you a believer. The 18-hole nautical-themed course is impeccably (and hilariously) landscaped, included complete with a huge Paul Bunyan carrying a golf club. What does Paul Bunyan have to do with the nautical theme? Hush, now. You’re interrupting the awesomeness.
Humboldt County libraries are gloriously kid-friendly. The kids’ sections host story hours and other free children’s’ programs including crafts, movies, puppet shows, music, and storytellers. The Eureka branch has a large play area for reading, completing puzzles and snuggling with enormous stuffed animals. Rio Dell Library has puppet shows every other Saturday morning.
