It’s an area where there are more artists per capita than any other place in California. In a state that’s known for its vibrant art scenes, and major contributions to the entertainment of the world, that’s not a small claim to fame. A fair number of artists, working in many media such as painting, sculpture, writing, and filmmaking, prefer the clarion call of the big cities. A lively urban scene is capable of sparking the imagination, where the constant flux of human activity is its own inspiration.

There are also a fair number who prefer the opposite. Calm settings, out in the middle of nature, are places where an artistically attuned mind can find equally significant sources for inspiration. In Eureka, the blend of ocean and forest is one that apparently offers promises of a fertile imagination, and just the right place for an artist to find their voice. It’s also a pretty spectacular place for tourists, who may or may not have artistic inclinations. Some are simply called by the promise of rest and rejuvenation in the hotels Eureka offers.

Even from this vantage point, however, it’s difficult not to be inspired at least a little. Inspiration can come in the form of a call to create, just as much as it can come in the form of a call to relax and enjoy the perfect moment at hand. The beauty of the trees is impossible to escape, though, and there’s something about the forest that wakes up the imagination. Whether it’s the fantastic size of the quadruped trees , along with their unusual capacity to make one feel as though gnomes could be living in here, or the ironic stump house that used to be a roadside attraction here, there is plenty of room for mystery. These magnificent trees represent a history of place, and they are capable of inspiring awe, which is like a doorway to the present.

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