It is this proximity to the redwood forests, including Redwood National Park and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Eureka each year. To the southeast of Eureka is the Headwaters Forest, the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods. National Geographic Traveler magazine has named Eureka and its surrounding areas as "one of the world's top ten great places". Visitors come from all over the world to see the majestic redwoods, some of which are 350 feet tall and over 2,000 years old.

Much of the tourism to Eureka centers on the redwood forests and various outdoors activities, such as boating, sport fishing, hunting and backpacking. In addition, Eureka's history as a logging town and a center of commerce manifests itself through a rich cultural heritage, through the careful preservation of Victorian architecture, and through various musical performances and art displays throughout the city.

Eureka is located nearly three hundred miles north of San Francisco, and is home to a little over 26,000 people. However, Eureka is equipped to handle twice that, as it serves as the county seat and the regional center of commerce for Humboldt County. Two universities – the College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University – along with several excellent elementary and secondary institutions provide the residents of Eureka with first class education. The primary industries within Eureka have evolved from commercial fishing and logging over time to reflect a wider range of industries, including tourism and wine.