Insider's Guide - Locals share their favorite places & activities in Humboldt County

Fortuna

Humboldt’s third largest city, Fortuna, really does have it all: Beautiful redwoods, the majestic Eel river, a lush valley and access to the Pacific Ocean just minutes away.

Perhaps that’s why the early inhabitants saw fit to take the Spanish word for “Fortune” as the town’s namesake upon learning the town’s original moniker, Springville, had already been used in Ventura County.

However you look at it, Fortuna offers plenty to visitor and resident alike.  Like much of Humboldt County, the town’s industry was originally based on timber and fishing the Eel river. While the timber industry still maintains a strong presence, a diverse and thriving economy has made Fortuna one of the fastest growing areas in Humboldt County. The town’s current population measures 10,500 residents and many successful businesses call Fortuna home.

Today Fortuna is known as the “friendly city” and its hearty helping of festivals and events prove that fact. The Fortuna Rodeo is an annual favorite and offers a week’s worth of family fun, including a chili cook off and some of the best rodeo action in the area.

The Redwood Expo is the area’s most well attended event and comes with no shortage of chrome, sheet metal and some very, very fast cars.

The story of America’s bloodiest war is retold every year with Fortuna’s Civil War Days, held every September, with everything from from massive battles with cannon and rifle fire, to depictions of daily life in military camps.

In October, the famous Clendenen Cider Works show off their 25 apple varieties at the annual Apple Harvest Festival.

With the terminus of State Highway 36 located just south of Fortuna, the town is an ideal jumping-off point for exploring eastern Humboldt County. With in minutes, visitors can be deep in redwood forests, traveling through the towns along Highway 36 or exploring the Eel and Van Duzen rivers.




Fortuna

STATISTICS
Population: 11,350
Settled: 1875, incorporated in 1906

CITY GOVERNMENT
Mayor: Patrick Whitchurch
Mayor Pro-tem: Doug Strehl
City Manager: Duane Rigge
City Council: Doug Strehl, Dean Glaser, Patrick Whitchurch, Mel Berti, Ken Zanzi
The council meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Monday of the month at City Hall.

CITY CONTACTS
City Hall
621 11th St.
Fortuna, CA 95540
725-1409
www.friendlyfortuna.com
www.sunnyfortuna.com

Chamber of Commerce
735 14th St.
P.O. Box 797
725-3959 or (800) 426-8166
chamber.sunnyfortuna.com

Fortuna Business Improvement District
610 Main St.
P.O. Box 1000
725-9261
www.fortunabusiness.com

Library
775 14th St.
725-3460

Police
621 11th St.
725-7550

Fire
320 S. Fortuna Blvd.
725-5021

- Times Standard