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Hire a car in Eureka with Hertz
Hire a car in Eureka, California to discover a blend of nature and culture on the northern Californian coast. A former gold rush settlement and historic port, this city is now famed for its Queen Anne-style Victorian architecture and coastal beauty.
It’s the largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, making it a key stop on all the best Pacific Coast road trips.
We have car hire locations close to the business hubs in central Eureka and at Eureka Arcata Airport, so it’s always easy to collect your wheels.
Choose from quality hire cars in a range of styles – from family-friendly SUVs to sedans suited to coastal drives. We’ll get the keys ready for a no-fuss collection, so you can focus on planning a dream stay in Eureka.
Pickup locations in Eureka
- Eureka - B Street HLE
Benefits from day one.
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- Up to 10% off the base rate on rentals in select countries
Up to 10% discount applies to base rates in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Benelux. 5% applies for the rest of the world. The discount applies to the base rate quoted (excluding taxes and any other charges). It does not apply to affiliated rates or rates that are already discounted.
- Add your spouse as a second driver without an extra fee
- Earn points redeemable toward free rental days and upgrades
Points are earned on per day time and mileage charges only. Free rental days cover base rate (time and mileage) only. Taxes, optional extras and any other fees are excluded. One-car-class upgrade applies to Compact, Intermediate, Standard & Full-size rentals with a maximum upgrade to a Premium. Additional terms and exclusions apply
- Skip the counter and go straight to your car
You can skip the counter once your membership is activated after your first rental. Available at select locations only.
Benefits from day one.
Join 
for free.
- Make travel feel golden with Hertz Gold+
Ready to get more from every drive? Hertz Gold+ is our free loyalty program that turns everyday car rental into rewards. Get instant perks and seamless pickups.
- Skip the line, choose your ride, and go
Skip the rental counter at selected locations – just head to your car and go. At selected US rental locations, you can also choose from a wider selection of cars, including exclusive vehicles for top-tier members.
- Earn points to redeem for free rental days
Earn free rental days with every booking. The more you rent, the faster you unlock elite status.* *Points are earned & redeemed on the base rental rate only. Taxes, fees, & options are excluded. Additional terms apply.
- Share the drive for free
Add your spouse or partner as an additional driver for free.
California car rental driving guide
Driving in and around Eureka
Thanks to its leafy boulevards set on an easy-to-navigate grid system, car hire is a great way to get around Eureka, California and explore the wider area.
Many of Eureka’s top attractions are clustered close to Highway 101, which is the main route through the city. These include Redwood Discovery Museum, Humboldt County Museum and the Clarke Historical Museum.
Park your hire car at Eureka Old Town Parking or 425 Snug Alley Parking for easy access to Madaket Harbor, the Eureka Boardwalk and F Street Pier, where lively events light up the summer evenings.
R Street (CA-255) connects Eureka to Woodley Island, Indian Island and Samoa, which is home to the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area.
The Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is about 20 minutes south of Eureka. Exit US-101 onto Tompkins Hill Road for Humboldt Botanical Garden.
Arcata - the seat of Humboldt State University - is located just north of Eureka. It’s easy to reach the Natural History Museum and to experience the lively campus culture via the Redwood Highway (US-101).
This highway also connects Eureka city centre to the airport, which is 16miles away. US-101 has some of California’s most scenic spots, stretching north past Little River State Beach to Trinidad, Patrick’s Point and through Redwood National and State Parks.
If you’re planning a big road trip, continue north on US-101 (Oregon Coast Highway). It takes roughly nine hours to wind through State Scenic Corridors on the coastal route from Eureka to Portland.
To the south, US-101 connects with California’s Shoreline Highway (US-1), which skims the golden coast towards San Francisco.
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A quick guide to Eureka
Enjoy Old Town charm
Eureka’s Old Town is famed for its distinctive buildings, which were built to channel an English Baroque revival style in the 19th-century lumber industry heyday.
Carson Mansion is the most photographed example, clad in beautifully green-tinted materials sourced from Central America and the Philippines. Now run as the private Ingomar Club, there’s no public access to the building - but it’s easy to see the magic by driving your rental car down M Street.
Swing by the Clarke Historical Museum to place the beauty in context at exhibits on local history. The Victorian Room collection is a particular highlight, where early residents’ stories are retold through their possessions.
Today, the Old Town provides an enchanting backdrop for unique shopping experiences. Timber Boutique curates a unique collection of clothing from premium and bohemian brands, while Ciara’s Irish Shop channels the energy of the Emerald Isle.
Take in ocean vistas
The Pacific Ocean magnetises many of the millions who visit California each year – and the views from Eureka are simply magical. Head to North Jetty near the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area for uninterrupted sea views and easy access to blissful Samoa Beach.
Some of northern California’s best beaches are close to Eureka. Trinidad State Beach – just 20minutes away in your car - is a particular highlight. It’s surrounded by woodland, seasonal wildflowers and blessed by smooth sand. There is also a picnic area with barbeque stoves.
See the coast from a refreshing angle by boarding the MV Madaket for a 75-minute guided cruise of Humboldt Bay.
Then, visit Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum to learn about locals’ relationship with the sea, from fishing to boat building. The collections include more than 20,000 photographs and two retired vessels.
Walk through blissful city parks
This bright and breezy Californian city is a great place to balance a love of nature with urban experiences. There are six community parks in Eureka, including Sequoia Park, which has its very own zoo.
This relaxing 60-acre zone has sky-high redwood trees that will make you forget you’re in the city. Many have been growing since before the park was donated to the city in 1894.
Get lost among the trails or take the whole family to see colourful birds, red pandas and barnyard animals at Sequoia Park Zoo.
Wander past the salmon tanks and otter enclosures, then visit the Learning Lab to find out about conservation. There is an on-site restaurant and a place to buy souvenirs, too.
Hire a car in Eureka to experience more of northern California.
FAQs about car hire
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