Arcata

It's no secret that Northern California is home to dozens of "hippie towns" that appear to be frozen in time. The town featured here may be the largest hippie town of them all. When it comes to environmental issues, California has always been on the progressive side, but this town takes it to a whole new level. Furthermore, this town is home to a plethora of attractions and activities. It should undoubtedly be on your travel itinerary. Arcata is a city in Humboldt County with a population of about 17,000 people. Despite its origins as a logging community in the late 1800s, the town retains a distinct "hippie" vibe with a strong love for the environment.

Walking through the town square, you're bound to meet some interesting people. The Plaza, as it is known, is home to dozens of small specialty shops and community spaces. Even Humboldt County's largest farmers market is held here. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata. Much of the hippie atmosphere can be attributed to the town's large number of college students. This is one of the last places that evokes the free-spirited era of the 1960s. The town has a sizable artistic community. It appears that art can be found almost anywhere. The town is famous for hosting an event called "The Kinetic Sculpture Race", in which artists create man-powered vehicles that resemble something out of a fantasy land. Arcata is perhaps best known for its extremely progressive politics. The town was the first in the country to have a majority of city council members elected from the Green Party.