About The Inn
History
The history of the Inn dates back to the early 1920s when the present site was known as “Anderson’s Cafe and Service Station.” At that time, the pumphouse and spring water system was installed and Mrs. Anderson gained local recognition for her fresh berry pies and homemade clam chowder. After the Andersons retired, the little coffee shop stood vacant for a number of years.The present-day Inn was built in 1989 by screenwriter and producer, Rita Lakin. Award-winning local architect Ray Wolf designed the Inn to be perfectly suited for guests: every room is built with extra-thick walls and sound proofing. Each room is uniquely different to meet the desires of all who wish to stay here: some have lofts, some have balconies, some have alcoves, and all of them are charming!
Rita sold the Inn in 2003 to Guia and Gary Hiegert, her dear friends, who owned for 20 years. Recently Gary and Guia’s son and daughter-In-law Brian and Tiffany purchased the Inn, allowing for the next generation of the Hiegert family to continue the traditions for many to enjoy.
Your Hosts
Brian and Tiffany!
Brian grew up in Humboldt County and moved away for college to Santa Cruz, CA. When Brian’s parents Gary and Guia, started to think about retirement, he quit his career in finance and took the opportunity to take over the Inn and keep it in the Family. He is continuing the traditions his parents built, while living the eccentric lifestyle of an Innkeeper!
Tiffany is originally from Hawaii. The sands of her birth reside on the North Shore of O’ahu. Tiffany spent most of her adult life on Kauai before she moved here to Humboldt County where she now has a massage practice called Arcata Lomi Massage and is also a yoga instructor.
When Brian and Tiffany are not at the Inn, you can probably find them with their two adorable Golden Retriever dogs: Cota and Tallulah, at the beach or the lake enjoying the sunshine!
We look forward to our family meeting your family!
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to bring?
You should bring suitable clothing for hiking, beach-going, and other active outdoor activities. Also, bring something that you can layer in to keep warm. Rain can happen at any time of the year, so a good rain jacket and pair of water-resistant shoes is a good idea. We have a hot tub so a swimsuit or some other bathing clothes is appropriate. A day-pack for carrying water and snacks for your daily excursions is also helpful. Don’t forget your camera and any other goodies for remembering your trip!
How long are the drive times from…?
San Francisco, CA: 6 hours on HWY 101
Redding, CA: 4 hours on HWY 299
Crescent City, CA: 1 hour on HWY 101
Eureka, CA: 30 minutes on HWY 101
Portland, OR: 9 hours on I5 (101 to 199 to I5)
Ashland, OR: 4 hours on HWY 101 to 199 to I5
Eureka-Arcata Airport: 15 minutes on HWY 101
Trinidad, CA: 8 minutes on Patrick’s Pt. Dr.
What airlines can we fly?
We are serviced by United Express. United has flights all day, but from San Francisco airport you’ll need to get in as early as possible to avoid delays due to SFO’s predilection to closures, once in at SFO try to get on an earlier flight than the one you are scheduled for.
Are there rental car companies in the area?
Yes, we have all the major car rental companies, Hertz, Avis, and National, located at the Eureka-Arcata Airport (which is really in McKinleyville!). There are several others that have offices in Arcata and Eureka. There are a few cabs that work in the area, Yellow Cab Company and some private folks. A car is necessary if you plan on staying at the Inn. There is an shuttle located at the airport named “Door to Door.”
What is the weather like?
The average temperature is low 50’s in the winter and mid/low 60’s in the summer. In the winter we will get a little lower than 40′ but only for a few nights in Jan. or Feb. In the spring we get sun and wind… summer is morning fog on the coast and hot temperatures inland, up to 100′ just 15 miles in. During the fall we get wonderful weather, 68′ most every day, and sun without the wind or fog. Mostly it rains in the winter, which usually starts in Nov. and continues till April, on and off. Storms are wonderful at the Inn , especially now that we have our new 10k generator!
What is there to do in the area?
There are numerous outdoor activities that you can engage in. Hiking, back-packing, beach-combing, bird-watching, fishing, hunting, river rafting, surfing, kayaking and canoeing, horseback riding, and bicycling are just a few. Center Activities can help you rent the things you’ll need to enjoy yourself. There are golf courses (two), and Humboldt State University has gyms, tracks and ball fields of all types. In the summer enjoy a semi-pro baseball game with Arcata’s own farm team, one of the best in the state. You can still get your fix of shopping too at several malls and in “Old Town” in Eureka and “the Plaza” in Arcata!
Is there “night-life” in the area?
Center Arts works very hard to provide local shows that highlight some of the best entertainment in the country. They have numerous shows that will delight and entertain you. Local clubs provide surprising shows that are both novel and professional, providing “live” music and dancing. Dell Arte, the Ferndale Repertory Theater and the Northcoast Repertory Theater put on some wonderful semi-professional theater. All in all you can’t go wrong with a night out here in Humboldt!
PLUS Try these links for lists of current information on night life and activities:
North Coast Journal Online
Humguide
What are the “outdoor activities” in the area?
There are numerous outdoor activities that you can engage in. Hiking, back-packing, beach-combing, bird-watching, fishing, hunting, river rafting, surfing, kayaking and canoeing, horseback riding, and bicycling are just a few. Center Activities can help you rent the things you’ll need to enjoy yourself. There are golf courses (two), and Humboldt State University has gyms, tracks and ball fields of all types. In the summer enjoy a semi-pro baseball game with Arcata’s own farm team, the Humboldt Crabs, one of the best in the state. You can still get your fix of shopping too at several malls and in ” Old Town ” in Eureka!
What is the Inn’s daily schedule?
Your innkeeper will be onsite 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, and can be reached after hours for emergency purposes with a ring of the doorbell or phone call to 707-677-3425. A fresh pot of hot coffee will be out by 7:00am and breakfast will be served at 9 AM for all the guests, buffet style service, in our dining room. The Hot Tub is always available to the guests, who somehow know how to not intrude on each other. We do ask after 9pm that voices be kept down for consideration of others trying to sleep. Our afternoon “Happy Hour” starts at 3pm and each guests is welcomed with a specifically curated charcuterie plate, a selection of wines and locally craft beers, juices and sodas which gets stocked once a day. Our wine is out well into the evening, so even if you arrive late, we can save your appetizers in the fridge for you and leave a bottle of wine available for you to unwind with when you arrive. We have a refrigerator and a microwave for our guests that can be accessed at any time on the upstairs landing . We have no closing times for the fire-pit area, we just ask discretion with the size of your fire.
Are there good restaurants in the area?
Yes, we recommend The Larrupin Cafe and Moonstone Grill for upscale dining options in the area, located in Trinidad just down the street. We do recommend reservations for these two as their seating can fill up on weekends and popular holidays. Please let us know if you would like us to call ahead for you and make a reservation. There are also a few “mom and pop” restaurants in the town of Trinidad (population 300) about 5 miles south of the Inn, where a burger, pizza or fish and chips can be ordered with no reservation. We have a list featuring many other fine restaurants in both Arcata and Eureka if you wish to venture past our town about 25-30 min more south. For a searchable listing of restaurants with reviews visit HumGuide’s Dining Guide.
Is there free parking or electric car charges at your inn?
Yes we have free parking on site in our parking lot. First come first serve for the lot and there is also street parking available. Larger trucks and vans will need to park on the street.
We do not have charging station or power access in the parking lot for charging. There is a charging station in Trinidad. There are super charge Tesla stations in Eureka and Crescent City.
