McKinleyville is one of the largest unincorporated communities in the state of California and for years has been credited as being home to the largest population growth in the county.

  The town is located 15 miles north of Eureka, and although the business community is growing, much of the town’s nearly 14,000 residents work in other areas of the county during the day.

  McKinleyville was settled in the late 1860s when rancher Joe Dow established a small community between the Mad River and Little River. Area businessman Isaac Minor built the first businesses in the area in what was called Dow’s Prairie. In 1897 the town’s citizens renamed the settlement Minorville, but in 1901, after President McKinley’s assassination, the town was officially dubbed McKinleyville.

  The Arcata-Eureka Airport, curiously located in McKinleyville, is the largest in the area and offers service to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Redding, Sacramento, Seattle and Portland. The airport business park is rapidly expanding and includes lodging, rental car agencies and more. The Coast Guard Air Station is also located near the airport.

  Hiller Park and Clam Beach County Park are among some of the local favorites in McKinleyville. On nice days during baseball and soccer season, teams from all over Northern Humboldt County congregate to play on the newly completed fields. Scenic Hammond Trail is a good place for walkers, bicyclists and equestrians. The trail begins at Mad River Road and ends at Knox Cove.

  Just a few miles north of McKinleyville, Clam Beach is the first beach seen from U.S. Highway 101 north of San Francisco. The beach has a little something for everyone, including campers and clam hunters, and is home to the area’s annual sand castle competition.