Treasure Hunt

How many did you find?

More than 100 North Coast Otters made their home in five Northern California counties in June – Sept 2021. Otter Spotters collected OtterArt sightings while enjoying beautiful coastline, wetlands, rivers, and streams along the way.

Please continue to join us in promoting clean water and healthy habitats where we live and play!

Guidebook (PDF)

Artist Location Key (PDF)

Email: OtterArt@humboldt.edu
Instagram: #northcoastottersart
Facebook: @northcoastottersart

Seen wild otters? Visit the Otter Records Webpage

Raffle Entry Form 

OtterArt sightings were logged on a printed raffle entry form in the guidebook or submitted online.

Otter Spotters were encouraged to find 20 otters, record the code for each, and submit an entry for a chance to win:

• Los Bagels breakfast for 2
• Adventures Edge gift certificates
• Organic Coffee at the Straw House
• Free entry passes – Sequoia Park Zoo
• Adventure tours with Pacific Outfitters
• Crab sandwich lunch for 2 at Gill’s By the Bay
• Massage session and gift certificates at Soul Feet (Crescent City)
• Voucher at Oberon Grill 
• Gift certificate from Organic Grace (Garberville)
• Birdwatching and Otter Spotting tour with North Coast Otters

‘Most Sustainable Otter Spotter’ prizes were awared to those showing how they completed their North Coast Otter treasure hunt(s) in a sustainable way (e.g. biking, hiking, and electric vehicles).

ARCATA AND NORTH

NORTHWEST AREA

Overview map of locations - northern humboldt

Smith River

  1. Howonquet Lodge (attached to Lucky 7 Casino), 350 N Indian Road, Smith River, 95561

Gasquet

  1. Six Rivers National Forest Gasquet 10600 Highway 199, P.O. Box 228, Gasquet, CA 95543

Happy Camp

  1. Karuk Tribe: Peoples Center, 64236 2nd Avenue, Happy Camp, CA 96039

Klamath

  1. Yurok Country Visitor Center, 101 Klamath Blvd, Klamath, CA 95548

Somes Bar

  1. Salmon River Outpost 99531 CA-96, Somes Bar, CA 95568

Overview map of locations - Crescent City

Crescent City

  1. Crescent City - Del Norte County Visitor Center, 1001 Front St, Crescent City, CA 95531
  2. Crescent City Art, 1228 2nd Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 (same location as #6 and #12)
  3. College of the Redwoods (Main Admin Building), 883 W. Washington Blvd, Crescent City, CA 95531
  4. Crescent City Art, 1228 2nd Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 (same location as #4 and #12)
  5. Les Schwab Tires, 1105 Northcrest Drive, Crescent City, CA 95531
  6. Elk Valley Rancheria Visitor Center, 2332 Howland Hill Road, Crescent City, CA 95531
  7. Soul Feet, 1059 9th Street, Crescent City, CA 95531
  8. Wild Rivers Market, 450 M Street, Crescent City, CA 95531
  9. Rumiano Cheese Factory & Shop, 511 9th Street, Crescent City, CA 95531
  10. Crescent City Art, 1228 2nd Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 (same location as #4 and #6)
  11. Northridge Electric, 1279 Second Street, Suite C, Crescent City, CA 95531
  12. Aidans Toy Trove, 281 I Street, Crescent City, CA 95531
  13. Crescent City Public Library, 190 Price Mall, Crescent City, CA 95531
  14. Fred Endert Pool, 1000 Play Street, Crescent City, CA 95531

NORTHERN HUMBOLDT AREA

map locations in trinidad

Trinidad

  1. Trinidad Coastal Land Trust, 380 Janis Court, Trinidad, CA 95570
  2. Murphy’s Market Trinidad, 1 Main Street, Trinidad, CA 95570
  3. Trinidad Art Gallery, 490 Trinity Street, Trinidad, CA 95570
  4. Trinidad Bay Eatery and Gallery, 607 Parker Street, Trinidad, CA 95570
  5. Seascape Restaurant, Bay Street, Trinidad, CA 95570

Overview map of locations - McKinleyville

Mckinleyville

  1. McKinleyville Ace Home & Garden Center, 2725 Central Avenue, McKinleyville, CA 95519
  2. Ramone’s Bakery & Cafe, 1555 City Center Road, McKinleyville, CA 95519
  3. Coast Central Credit Union (McKinleyville), 1968 Central Avenue, McKinleyville, CA 95519
  4. Miller Farms, 1828 Central Avenue, McKinleyville, CA 95519

Map of locations - Blue Lake

Blue Lake

  1. Honeycomb Coffee, 431 First Avenue, Blue Lake, CA 95562

NORTHEAST AREA

Location map - overview east

Willow Creek

  1. Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce Information Booth, Corner of Highways 96 & 299, Willow Creek, CA 95573

Hoopa

  1. Hoopa Shopping Center, 12509, Hoopa, CA 95546

Junction City

  1. Strawhouse Resorts & Cafe, 31301 CA-299, Junction City, CA 96048

Location overview - Weaverville

Weaverville

  1. Mountain Marketplace Partnership, 508 Main Street, Weaverville, CA, 96093
  2. Trinity Nursery and Gift Shop, 885 Main Street, Weaverville, CA 96093
  3. Merchants Mall, 1400 Main Street, Weaverville, CA 96093

ARCATA AREA

List of Locations - overview

List of Locations - Arcata

Overview map of locations - Arcata Closeup

Arcata

  1. Dandars Boardgames and Books, 1264 Giuntoli Lane, Suite A, Arcata, CA 95521
  2. Arcata Animal Hospital, 1300 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata, CA 95521
  3. Blondies Food and Drink, 420 California Avenue, Arcata, CA 95521
  4. (June–July) Native American Forum Lobby, adjacent BSS: 16th and Union Street, Arcata, CA 95521
    (Aug-Sept) Cal Poly Humboldt Library, Library Circle, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  5. (June–July) Native American Forum Lobby, adjacent BSS: 16th and Union Street, Arcata, CA 95521
    (Aug-Sept) Cal Poly Humboldt Library, Library Circle, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  6. Student & Business Services Building, 2nd Floor, Cal Poly Humboldt, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  7. Student & Business Services Building, Admissions Foyer, Cal Poly Humboldt, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  8. Humboldt Natural History Museum, 1242 G Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  9. Los Bagels Arcata, 1061 I Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  10. Salt Fish House, 955 I Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  11. Northtown Books, 957 H Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  12. Redwood Raks and the Creamery District, 824 L Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  13. Adventures Edge (Arcata), 650 10th Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  14. The Garden Gate , 905 H Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  15. InfuZions Humboldt, 863 H Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  16. Art Center, 823 H Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  17. Plaza Grill, Historic Jacobys Storehouse, 780 7th Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  18. Plaza Be Inspired, 808 G Street, Arcata CA 95521
  19. Arcata City Library, 500 7th Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  20. HealthSPORT Arcata, 300 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Parkway, Arcata, CA 95521
  21. Arcata Marsh Visitor Center, 569 S G Street, Arcata, CA 95521
  22. Friends of the Dunes, 220 Stamps Lane, Arcata, CA 95521

EUREKA AND SOUTH

EUREKA AREA

Overview map of locations - Eureka Overview

Location map - Eureka Downtown

Eureka

  1. Harper Motors, 4800 N US Highway 101, Eureka, CA 95503
  2. Humboldt Bay Harbor Commission, 601 Startare Drive, Eureka, CA 95501
  3. Eureka Main Library, 1313 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  4. Oberon Grill, 516 2nd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  5. Los Bagels Eureka, 403 2nd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  6. Many Hands Gallery, 438 2nd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  7. Booklegger, 402 2nd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  8. Humboldt Herbals, 300 Second Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  9. Eureka Visitor Center, 240 E Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  10. Northern California Indian Development Council, 241 F Street, Eureka, CA 95501 (same location as #67)
  11. Northern California Indian Development Council, 241 F Street, Eureka, CA 95501 (same location as #66)
  12. Pacific Outfitters, 1600 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  13. Nealis Hall Native American Collection, Clarke Historical Museum, 240 E Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  14. Coast Central Credit Union (Eureka Down Town), 402 F Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  15. Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce, 612 G Street Suite 101, Eureka, CA 95501
  16. Kinetic Museum, 518 A Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  17. The Ink People Center for the Arts, 627 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  18. Morris Graves Museum of Art, 636 F Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  19. E Street Temple Hall, 840 E Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  20. Changing Tides Family Service, 2379 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501
  21. Six Rivers National Forest HQ, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501
  22. Coast Central Credit Union Eureka Bayshore Mall, 3300 Broadway Street, Eureka, CA 95501
  23. Sequoia Park Zoo, 3414 W. Street, Eureka, CA 95503

King Salmon

  1. Gills By the Bay, 77 Halibut Avenue, King Salmon, Eureka, CA 95503

College of the Redwoods

  1. Dr. Eugene Portugal, Student Services & Administration Building, 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Eureka, CA 95501

FORTUNA SOUTH

Overview map of locations - Loleta

Loleta

  1. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, CA 95551
  2. Bear River Resort, 11 Bear Paws Way, Loleta, CA 95551
  3. Visitor Center Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, 266 Keisner Road, Loleta, CA 95551

Overview map of locations - Fortuna

Fortuna

  1. Coast Central Credit Union (Fortuna), 1814 Main Street, Fortuna, CA 95540
  2. Gene Lucas Community Center, 3000 Newburg Road, Fortuna, CA 95540
  3. Fortuna River Lodge, 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna, CA 95540

List of locations - Ferndale

Ferndale

  1. Ferndale Arts Gallery, 580 Main Street, Ferndale, CA 95536
  2. Minds Eye Manufactory and Coffee Lounge, 393 Main Street, Ferndale, CA 95536
  3. Stitch, 385 Main Street, Ferndale, CA 95536

Chapmans Gem Mineral Shop (Fortuna)

  1. Chapmans Gem Mineral Shop Museum, 66 Metropolitan Road, Fortuna, CA 95540

SOUTHERN HUMBOLDT AND SOUTH

Location Map - Sohum/mendocino

Location map - shelter cove

Rio Del

  1. Rio Del Scotia Chamber of Commerce, 406 Wildwood Avenue, Rio Dell, CA 95562

Weott

  1. Humboldt Redwood Visitor Center, 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA 95571

Garberville

  1. Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, 782 Redwood Drive, Garberville
  2. Organic Grace, 906 Redwood Drive, Garberville, CA 95542
  3. Redwood Raindrop Harmonics, 773 Redwood Dr, Garberville, CA 95542

Benbow

  1. Benbow KOA Campground, 7000 Benbow Drive, Garberville, CA 95542
  2. Benbow Inn, 445 Lake Benbow Drive, Garberville, CA 95542

Shelter Cove / Whitehorn

  1. Castle Inn at Shelter Cove, 266 Dolphin Drive, Whitethorn, CA 95589
  2. Inn at the Lost Coast, 205 Wave Drive, Whitethorn, CA 95589
  3. Gyppo Ale Mill, 1661 Upper Pacific Drive, Whitethorn, CA 95589

Richardson Grove (Garberville)

  1. Richardson Grove State Park Visitor Center, 1600 US-101, Garberville, CA 95542
  2. One Log House Espresso & Gifts, 705 US-101, Garberville, CA 95542

Fort Bragg

  1. NOYO Center for Marine Science, 338 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437

Mendocino

  1. Ford House Visitor Center, 45035 Main Street, Mendocino, CA 95460

Willits

  1. Willits Center for the Arts, 71 East Commercial Street, Willits, CA 95490

Hopland

  1. Solar Living Center, 13771 US-101, Hopland, CA 95449

otters in the wild

Humboldt River otter Project (est. 1999)

Have you seen wild river otters lately?

River otters have a varied diet, mostly taking slow-moving fish, crayfish, birds, and other water creatures that are abundant or easily captured. In some areas, river otters must work extra hard and travel far to find enough to eat to survive. River otters generally live in extended, mother-daughter family groups, and when full-grown, the males may travel together to hunt and play. River otters of all types readily come together and roll, twist, communicate, and play. Some river otters hunt in the shallower parts of the ocean along our coasts, but they need fresh water for bathing and drinking each day.  River otter numbers are recovering thanks to efforts to restore and clean up habitats, but they need our commitment to ensure their presence in the wild.

Learn more

When you see a river otter in the wild, give them a thumbs up, and wish them well!