Alongside the winding Eel River between Fortuna and Scotia is the quaint little town of Rio Dell, which was once home to the workforce for one of the largest lumber mills in the world, the Pacific Lumber Company. Locals are drawn river-side in summer, where the sun shines more brightly than in northerly regions of the county, even among the towering redwoods that surround Rio Dell. Grab some lunch at DJ’s Burger Bar or Lety’s Cafe. Wildwood Waffles is a destination in itself, but Rio Dell is just a hop, skip and a jump to the many natural wonders of Humboldt County.
Scotia Fishery
169 Main St, Scotia, CA 95565 (707) 601-5546
The little logging town of Scotia is home to the largest open-air freshwater aquarium on the North Coast. A habit for local species like salmon and trout, the Humboldt Redwood Fisheries Exhibit offers a lovely setting for an afternoon of fun and learning – a hidden gem among the redwoods.
Open for daily self-guided tours from 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Scotia
Flawless weather, spectacular scenery, gorgeous architecture and nostalgic charm are just a few of the features that you could use to describe the “company town” of Scotia. Since the 1880s, Scotia has been the longest surviving lumber town in America. Home to an impressive logging museum, locomotives, the historic Winema Theatre, steam donkeys and the largest open-air freshwater aquarium on the North Coast.
