Get Some Fun PCH Gifts Here

bikers-love-pch-t-shirt-zazzle.jpg
california-highway-1-key-chain-zazzle.jpg
pch-magnet-zazzle.jpg
pch-coast-the-coast-t-shirt-zazzle.jpg

Eureka Inns

The Carter House Inns and Restaurant

 Of all Eureka inns, The Carter House Inns are the most romantic and historic, with one of the best restaurants in Northern California.

The Carter House Inns in Eureka, CaliforniaThe Carter House Inns in Eureka

Of all the Eureka inns, the Carter House Inns and Restaurant must look the most impressive when you arrive. There’s the main hotel building and then across the corner are three more buildings, one of them bright yellow and all of them looking elegantly Victorian in style. It’s certainly a romantic spot to reach after a day driving the Pacific Coast Highway.

Some of the buildings are original Victorian, but the Carter House itself was built in 1982 by owner Mark Carter. He meticulously copied the plans for a house from San Francisco that had been built in 1884-5 but later destroyed in the earthquake.

It looks right at home among the other grand old Eureka inns and mansions. Mark originally intended the house to be his own family home, but construction took longer and cost more than he’d planned, and he started taking in paying guests. When we pulled up outside the buildings and said ‘Wow!’, we were sure glad that he did.

The Carter House Inns in Eureka, CaliforniaThe Carter House Inns in Eureka

All photos (c) Donna Dailey

We’d driven from Mendocino that day, and for the later part of the drive Highway 101 veers inland, away from the Pacific Coast. But that’s no bad thing as it goes through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, a chance to spend some time among those magnificent giant trees, definitely one of the PCH highlights.

The Carter House is easy to find, just a block or so off 101 as it goes through the center of Eureka, and we got there as the daily wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres was being held in the hotel lobby. A nice welcome.


You can see more photos by Donna Dailey on our YouTube slideshow

Eureka Inns: Carter Cottage

We were keen to see our room, though, and were booked into the Carter Cottage, across the street. It was cute from the outside and huge inside. We entered into the large living and dining area, with its own kitchen and a dining table big enough to host dinner parties. You can book the Cottage to do that if you wish, and the hotel’s award-winning Restaurant 301 will do the catering for you. (We decided to make life easier and would wander over to them to eat.)

The Cottage Kitchen at The Carter House Inns in Eureka, CaliforniaThe Cottage Kitchen

The Cottage managed to keep a historic feel, with fireplaces, wooden floors, and a four-poster bed with drapes around it, but it was set off by stylish modern touches, with carvings and statues, and of course all the modern comforts - two bathrooms, a two-person deep jetted tub, beautiful toiletries, and high-speed internet. 

The Cottage Bedroom at The Carter House Inns in Eureka, CaliforniaThe Cottage Bedroom

Eureka Inns: Other Options

As well as the Carter Cottage the inn also has the Bell Cottage, next door. This was built in 1890 and beautifully restored in 1992. This is a cottage for slightly larger parties than the Carter Cottage, as it has three suites but also has a full kitchen for anyone wanting to self-cater or have dinner parties catered by Restaurant 301.

At the end of the row is the original Carter House, where the inn was first located before moving across the street. The Carter House has two large rooms and two two-bedroom suites.

Eureka Inns: The Carter House Inn

The main hotel building, which is also where the restaurant is, was constructed from scratch in the mid-1980s, but again a lovely job was done of making it look like it’s been there for a hundred years. Here they have a range of options from regular rooms through to luxury suites. It’s also where Restaurant 301 is located, where the afternoon wine and evening cookies are served, and all room rates include a gourmet breakfast in Restaurant 301.

The Cottage Bathroom at The Carter House Inns in Eureka, CaliforniaThe Cottage Bathroom

Restaurant 301

We tried not to fill up too much on the complimentary hors d’oeuvres as we’d booked a table at Restaurant 301, which Frommer’s has called ‘one of the best restaurants in Northern California’. We haven’t eaten in every restaurant in Northern Caifornia, but if you know of a better one than here at the Carter House Inn please email us.

Restaurant 301 is formal dining but in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It’s definitely a place for that special romantic supper, with high ceilings and plenty of space around the tables. The kitchen follows a garden-to-table philosophy, which began when the restaurant first opened almost 30 years ago and an edible flower and vegetable garden was planted. You can visit the organic garden, if you like, just down the street.

Otherwise food is primarily sourced from the best suppliers in Humboldt County, and the quality of the produce shows in the menu’s dishes. We had some wonderful flavor-filled plates such as Redwood Forest Wild Mushroom Risotto, Oregon Coast Kumamoto Oysters, and a Pot Roast Breast of Rosie Farm Chicken, with an amazingly tasty Dried Apricot, Pistachio, and Pineapple Sage Stuffing.

Restaurant 301 Wine List

The restaurant’s wine list is quite daunting, as it carries almost 4,000 wines and is one of less than a hundred places worldwide to win the highly coveted Wine Spectator Grand Award. I always enjoy reading wine lists, even if I can’t afford half of them, but thankfully there’s a helpful sommelier to steer you through and also a separate list of wines by the glass if you want to try a different wine with each course, which we did.

Next morning we toured the town and saw some more of Eureka’s inns and old mansions, but we’ve no hesitation in recommending the Carter House Inns and Restaurant if you’re looking for a historic and romantic hotel in Eureka.

Decor at The Carter House Inns in Eureka, CaliforniaDecor in The Cottage

Contact Details

Carter House Inns
301 L Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Freephone: 800/404-1390
Phone: 707/444-8062
Email: reserve@carterhouse.com 

Unique Inns
The Carter House Inns and Restaurant in Eureka is a member of Unique Inns. For more details and for online booking information for all the Unique Inns in California, Oregon and Washington, as well as their inns in Idaho, and British Columbia in Canada, visit the
Unique Inns website.

Other California hotels

  • A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

    Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos

    A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

  • If you’re looking for a Cambria Lodging then the Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria is a few miles from San Simeon and Hearst Castle.

    Cambria Lodging at the Cambria Pines Lodge

    If you’re looking for a Cambria Lodging then the Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria is a few miles from San Simeon and Hearst Castle.

  • The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.

    La Jolla Luxury Hotel

    The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.

  • Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

  • The Viceroy Santa Monica hotel is one of Los Angeles' best, a favorite of celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Demi Moore, and Leonardo DiCaprio,

    Viceroy Santa Monica

    The Viceroy Santa Monica hotel is one of Los Angeles' best, a favorite of celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Demi Moore, and Leonardo DiCaprio,

  • Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

    Pacific Grove

    Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

    Top Wildlife Spots on the California Coast

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

  • Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  •  Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

    Vagabond's House Inn

    Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

  • La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

    La Jolla, in southern California

    La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

  • For a Dana Point hotel next to the beach and near the harbor for whale watching cruises, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton with its ocean views is hard to beat.

    Dana Point Hotel

    For a Dana Point hotel next to the beach and near the harbor for whale watching cruises, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton with its ocean views is hard to beat.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.

    Good Cheap Motels in San Diego

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.

  • The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

  • Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

    Santa Monica, California

    Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

  • Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

    Santa Catalina Island

    Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

  • Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

    Crescent City

    Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

  • Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

    Santa Monica Pier

    Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

  • This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

    Visiting Hearst Castle

    This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

  • Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

    Bixby Bridge

    Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's website recommendations on Where to Stay in San Diego include reviews of budget and luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.

    Where to Stay in San Diego

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's website recommendations on Where to Stay in San Diego include reviews of budget and luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.

  • Los Angeles Airport hotels include Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Crowne Plaza and other top names, all of them within a mile or so of LAX.

    Los Angeles Airport Hotels

    Los Angeles Airport hotels include Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Crowne Plaza and other top names, all of them within a mile or so of LAX.

  • Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

    Oceanside

    Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

  • The Inn at Morro Bay offers accommodation in Morro Bay State Park, close to beach and wildlife, with outdoor pool, just off the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Inn at Morro Bay

    The Inn at Morro Bay offers accommodation in Morro Bay State Park, close to beach and wildlife, with outdoor pool, just off the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge  and Pfeiffer Beach.

    Scenic Spots on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.



Recent Articles

  1. The Best Towns to Visit on a Road Trip Down California's Central Coast for Incredible Food, Wineries, and Hotels

    May 10, 23 09:47 AM

    A food and drink expert charts the perfect course from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

    Read More

  2. Top 7 Outdoor Things to Do in California

    Apr 26, 23 10:07 AM

    California is home to some of the most diverse and beautiful natural landscapes in the world, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The state of California offers a wide range of outdoor activiti…

    Read More

  3. New Study: Can EVs Compete with Gas Cars Traveling Iconic American Road Trips

    Apr 25, 23 11:08 AM

    The latest study by Upgraded Points sets gas cars against electric vehicles to see which vehicle is truly the most economical on five American road trips. Examining the time and fuel costs along iconi…

    Read More