The City of Arcata is located on the Northern California coast, approximately 275 miles north of San Francisco and 110 miles south of the Oregon border, in Humboldt County. The City is framed by Humboldt Bay to the south, forested hills on the east, the Mad River on the north, and expansive agriculture lands to the west. At the center of Arcata is the Plaza, which is surrounded by vibrant local restaurants, coffee shops and various retail and professional businesses.   Arcata’s mild climate, good air quality, beautiful scenery, and wealth of outdoor activities and recreation including fishing, hiking, surfing, and river rafting, make it a desirable place to live and raise a family. As home to Cal Poly Humboldt, and College of the Redwoods just 30 minutes away, it allows ea