Featured Title Image above by Matt Filar When you think of Pony Express Days, you probably picture the big moments. The parade rolling down Central Avenue. Live music filling Pierson Park. Kids running around with sticky faces. Food vendors cooking. Families setting up lawn chairs. The joyful chaos of the pie-eating contest. That feeling that, […]

If you ask someone to describe McKinleyville, they’ll probably start by naming what we’re close to. The airport, Arcata, Cal Poly Humboldt, Trinidad, the redwoods, the beach. And yes, all of that is true. But McKinleyville is so much more than a convenient line on a map between bigger‑name destinations. It’s not just where you […]

Summer in McKinleyville does not have to be complicated. Some of the best things to do here are simple. Take a walk. Bring a blanket to the park. Listen to live music. Cheer at a parade. Let the kids run around. Watch the fog roll in and out. Grab a snack, meet up with a […]

Sometimes the best way to get a feel for McKinleyville is simple. Go for a walk. The Hammond Trail is a place that can be whatever you need it to be. A quick walk. A long bike ride. A quiet place to clear your head or a spot to take the kids when they need […]

Sometimes people will say, “I had no idea that was happening.” We get it! There is a lot going on in McKinleyville and throughout Humboldt County. Community events, school activities, business events, fundraisers, public meetings, Chamber mixers, summer concerts, festivals, nonprofit events, workshops, and local celebrations all pop up throughout the year. One of the […]

Pony Express Days is almost here, and McKinleyville is getting ready for one of our favorite community traditions. This year’s theme is Coastal Roots, Western Boots, and the celebration runs May 28 through June 7, with events happening throughout town. From the Kick Off Mixer and community dance to the Chili Cook-Off, parade, pancake breakfast, […]

McKinleyville is growing. You can feel it in conversations happening around town, at public meetings, inside local businesses, during community events, and when people stop to catch up with neighbors. Growth can bring opportunity. New jobs, new services, new customers, new investment, and new reasons for people to pay attention to McKinleyville. It can also […]

Supporting local businesses does not always have to mean making a big purchase. Of course, buying local matters. Dining at a local restaurant, shopping at a local store, booking a local service, or choosing a local professional all make a real difference. But there are also smaller ways to support local businesses that cost very […]

There is something special that happens at Pierson Park on summer evenings. Blankets spread across the grass. Kids run between lawn chairs. Friends wave to each other from across the park. Families bring dinner, stop by their favorite local restaurant on the way, or grab something from one of the food vendors set up for […]

McKinleyville is a growing North Coast community where local business, outdoor beauty, family friendly events, and community connection come together. Welcome to the McKinleyville Chamber Blog.