May 5, 2025

I was perplexed when I pulled up to the Front Porch Inn in Arcata, thinking it couldn’t possibly be the lodging I’d reserved for the night. The street location was a mix of residential and industrial buildings with a few commercial spots thrown in for good measure. There was no sign that I could see, although I found a small one when I parked the car and walked up to the nondescript fence that spanned the property. I’d been emailed a gate code with precise instructions that it would not work until the check-in time. I was a few minutes early, so I obediently waited until the proper time, input the assigned numbers, and let myself in.

My mini-suite, Waterfall Oasis, was located along an L shaped stretch of rooms surrounding a patio area that was part funky and part really cool with casual landscaping and scattered sitting areas. I opened the door and stepped into nothing less than perfection. The décor, the bedding, the soft colors of the room all spoke of peace and relaxation. A kitchen to one side was stocked with farm fresh eggs, oatmeal, hot chocolate, popcorn, coffee, and more. A closet held a variety of board games. Every inch of the space was immaculate. The thought of this hiding behind a plain fence made me feel like I’d found a secret universe.

One of the highlights of the inn was an assortment of soaking tubs hidden away in private garden areas. With choices including old-fashioned bathtubs and exquisite copper tubs, I chose the latter and took advantage of the warm piped in water while surrounded with foliage in my private hideaway. Afterwards, I sat inside the garden’s sauna for a few minutes just for the experience of entering through its door, an exquisite creation of stone and wood by master stone worker Gregorio Monteil, known for his work at Castello Di Amerosa in Napa.

Back in my room, I enjoyed the remainder of a lunch/dinner that I’d picked up at South G Kitchen, a food truck located behind the Redwood Curtain Brewing Company not far from the inn. There I’d ordered a tofu and peanut sauce “Yogi Bowl” as the popular brew pub blasted heavy metal music over the voices of enthusiastic customers. I’d enjoyed part of the meal on a back deck while various aromas from the food truck wafted through the air. The unusual combination of sensory input was intriguing and entertaining.

I slept well thanks to luxurious bedding and a heavenly mattress. After a quick breakfast in the morning, I headed out with memories of quite an unexpected stop. But this is part of the joy of travel, never knowing what kind of adventure awaits. And this was indeed an adventure.