Centerville Beach

Located in the town of Ferndale, Centerville Beach is a very long and wide beach on the south side of the point where the Eel River meets the North Pacific Ocean.  Centerville Beach is backed by farmlands, swamps, and wetlands – and is a popular spot for birdwatching and beachcombing.  

Centerville Beach is a dog-friendly beach and offers a couple of amenities including restrooms, barbecues, and driftwoods. If you are looking for additional amenities, there is a large white cross on a bluff at the southern end of the beach that pays homage to the 38 people who died in the SS Northerner shipwreck on January 6, 1860. There are many fun activities at Centerville Beach including horseback riding, birdwatching, beach driving, and beachcombing. Please note that it is recommended to have a car or ATV while driving onto the beach or else you might get an expensive towing bill. 

If you are looking for attractions near Centerville Beach, you can drive 34 minutes to Old Town Eureka, a historical district that is spread across 350 acres and contains 154 buildings from the Victorian era. Old Town Eureka hosts many monthly and annual events including Blues By the Bay, a street fair on the Fourth of July, and First Saturday Arts Alive! – an art event that features more than 80 local galleries, wines, non-alcoholic drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and performances by musicians, jugglers, poets, and fire dancers. The Clarke Historical Museum is located in Old Town Eureka and has an entire Native American wing with cultural and creative collections from the Wiyot, Yurok, Karuk, and Hupa tribes. Sequoia Park Zoo is home to many incredible animal species including brown-headed spider monkeys, white-handed gibbons, red junglefowl, red pandas, Orinoco geese, flamingos, and black bears. Another great attraction near Centerville Beach is Arcata Ball Park, a baseball venue where you can see the local collegiate team Humboldt Crabs play.

Getting to Centerville Beach is easy – after you get off of Highway 101, drive down to 3477 Centerville Road to reach the beach’s free parking lot that provides easy access to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Centerville Beach, you can drive 34 minutes to Old Town Eureka, a historical district that is spread across 350 acres and contains 154 buildings from the Victorian era. Old Town Eureka hosts many monthly and annual events including Blues By the Bay, a street fair on the Fourth of July, and First Saturday Arts Alive! – an art event that features more than 80 local galleries, wines, non-alcoholic drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and performances by musicians, jugglers, poets, and fire dancers. The Clarke Historical Museum is located in Old Town Eureka and has an entire Native American wing with cultural and creative collections from the Wiyot, Yurok, Karuk, and Hupa tribes. Sequoia Park Zoo is home to many incredible animal species including brown-headed spider monkeys, white-handed gibbons, red junglefowl, red pandas, Orinoco geese, flamingos, and black bears. Another great attraction near Centerville Beach is Arcata Ball Park, a baseball venue where you can see the local collegiate team Humboldt Crabs play.

If you get hungry, you can drive 25 minutes to many restaurants near Centerville Beach. The Alibi is an American restaurant bar offering burgers, sandwiches, soups, cocktails, and has a long martini list. The bagel cafe Los Bagels serves house-baked bagels, handmade pastries, espresso, and bread along with other Mexican desserts. Another good restaurant near Centerville Beach is Renata's Creperie, a French restaurant known for its crepes, comfortable seating, and artsy walls.

If you are looking for a hotel near Centerville Beach, there are many within a 30-minute drive. The upscale pet-friendly hotel Carter House Inns features a bar and boating, cycling, hiking, and canoeing tours. The 3-Star Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn offers many amenities including a pool, spa, sauna, gym, and restaurant. If you are looking for an affordable hotel near Centerville Beach, the 2-Star Super 8 by Wyndham Eureka has a nice pool and welcomes pets.