Travel & Stay

General Details

We’ll be gathering in the small Northern California town of Arcata, a laid-back college town nestled near the edge of the redwoods. Arcata is full of great coffee shops, cozy cafés, bars, and charming local shops. If you’re staying downtown, the area is very walkable; otherwise, most hotels are within a 7–15 minute drive.

The ceremony will take place about one hour south of Arcata in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The drive itself is part of the experience and takes you along the world-famous Avenue of the Giants, where you’ll be traveling beneath some of the tallest trees on Earth.

We are exploring the option of providing a bus from Arcata to Williams Grove, but due to limited transportation options in the area, availability is not guaranteed. Because of this, we strongly recommend renting a car or coordinating a carpool with other guests. There are Ubers and multiple taxi services available in town and for rides to and from the airport.

The reception will be held back in town, close to where most hotels are located.

Getting to the Redwoods

Whether by plane, train, or automobile you’re going to have to get here somehow, right?

California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV)

This is the closest airport to Arcata and the option we recommend for most guests. ACV has a small number of daily flights and typically requires a connection through San Francisco (SFO), Denver (DEN), or Los Angeles (LAX). From the airport, it’s about a 20-minute drive to Arcata.

If you’re flying in from the East Coast and want the easiest, least chaotic route — this is it.

Good to know:

  • Flights are limited, so book early

  • Delays can happen due to coastal fog (welcome to Humboldt)

  • Rental cars are available, but options can be limited

Portland International Airport (PDX)

If you’re up for an adventure (and a long drive), flying into Portland and driving south is an option. The drive to Arcata is about 7 hours without stops and breaks down roughly like this:

  • ~4 hours through the Willamette Valley (beautiful, often cloudy)

  • ~1 hour of winding mountain roads through the Smith River area

  • ~2 hours driving through the redwoods themselves (worth it)

If you have extra time and want to sightsee, you can also take Highway 101 along the Oregon coast, which is absolutely stunning — but plan for closer to 9 hours of driving.

Good to know:

  • The roads get curvy and foggy

  • Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in many stretches

  • This is best treated as a mini road trip, not a casual drive

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

If you’re up for a scenic drive, flying into San Francisco and heading north is another solid option. The drive to Arcata is about 5.5–6 hours without stops and breaks down roughly like this:

  • ~2 hours getting out of the Bay Area (traffic-dependent, patience required)

  • ~2 hours through rolling hills and small No-Co towns along Highway 101

  • ~1.5–2 hours winding through redwood forests as you approach Arcata (worth it)

If you have extra time and want maximum scenery, you can take Highway 1 along the coast, which is breathtaking — but slower, curvier, and best saved for those treating the trip as a true road trip.

Good to know:

  • Bay Area traffic is bad, avoid peak commute hours if possible

  • Cell service becomes spotty as you head north

  • This drive is beautiful, but longer than it looks on a map

Lodging Recommendations

We will not be booking a block of rooms anywhere. Please feel free to stay anywhere you like. There are good hotel and Airbnb options within the Arcata area. Eureka is about 20 minutes south and has even more options and Trinidad is 20 minutes north and offers small town charm and ocean views.

The Hotel Arcata

708 9th St, Arcata, CA 95521

In the middle of downtown and directly across the street from the reception venue

The Front Porch Inn

150 G St, Arcata, CA 95521

Cute little hotel a bit outside downtown with a lot of charm and a natural vibe

Hampton Inn & Suites Arcata CA

4750 Valley W Blvd, Arcata, CA 95521

Nice chain hotel a bit north of downtown Arcata about a 7 minute drive to the reception venue

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Arcata/Eureka

3107 Concorde Dr, McKinleyville, CA 95519

Solid hotel close to ACV airport, offering free breakfast and a free shuttle to and from the airport for guests
Approximately 11 minute drive to the reception venue and downtown Arcata