Arcata is a… special place. While camping spots are hard to come by, and the weather is unpredictable, the landscape is absolutely beautiful and great for a day trip. We took Tenaya on her first (and to this date, her only) mountain bike ride, played in streams and rivers, ate pasta under the stars, and hit up every natural food store we could find (there are many). The 118° drive home was less than ideal until we drove through the famous Northern California redwood groves which cooled the air and left us speechless.