The Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn leads with an 8.4 rating and staff scores hitting 9.4. Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka offers solid value at 7.4 with free parking. For pet owners, Red Lion Hotel Eureka accepts dogs with a seasonal outdoor pool.
Eureka sits on Humboldt Bay, a foggy timber town turned basecamp for redwood road trips. Here are five motels and hotels in Eureka, CA worth your mileage.
Why Trust This Guide
I analyzed 5 properties totaling 1,600+ verified guest reviews, filtering for an average score of 7.1/10 to surface what actually works for a Highway 101 stopover.
🎯 Quick Picks: Skip to What You Need
- Best overall value: #1 Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka→ Rates
- Top staff & breakfast: #2 Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn→ Rates
- Pet-friendly with a pool: #3 Red Lion Hotel Eureka→ Rates
- Strict budget + pets allowed: #4 Eureka Town House Motel→ Rates
#5 Discovery Inn – Eureka→ Rates - Best for two-night stays: #2 Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn→ Rates
Editor’s Note on Booking: We use smart routing to find you the best available rates. Clicking our availability buttons checks live pricing across trusted platforms to ensure you secure your stay.
Quick Compare: Top Places To Stay
| Property | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka | (750+ Reviews) |
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| 2. Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn | (400+ Reviews) |
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| 3. Red Lion Hotel Eureka | (250+ Reviews) |
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| 4. Eureka Town House Motel | (100+ Reviews) |
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| 5. Discovery Inn – Eureka | (50+ Reviews) |
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Detailed Reviews: 5 Motels and Hotels in Eureka, CA
1. Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka
The Vibe
Travelodge sits a block from Humboldt Bay and a short walk to Old Town’s shops. The 7.4 overall rating comes from 750+ reviews, with Wi-Fi scoring an 8.5 – the strongest of any budget property on this list. It’s a functional stop for redwood travelers.
What You Actually Get
Rooms come with free Wi-Fi (8.5-rated), a bathtub, and key card access. The 24-hour front desk is handy for late arrivals, and free on-site parking removes a headache that pricier downtown hotels bring. Note: children 18+ are charged as adults, so families with teens should double-check the fare. No pets allowed here – unlike #3 and #4 on this list, Travelodge is strictly dog-free.
Choose this if: You want free on-site parking and a straightforward check-in process with zero hidden fees.
2. Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn
The Vibe
This is Eureka’s best-rated property for a reason: staff scores sit at 9.4 – the highest of any hotel in this guide. Cleanliness hits 8.8, and the full hot breakfast is included daily. Guests consistently mention the koi pond as a surprising, calming touch.
What You Actually Get
Rooms include free Wi-Fi (8.8), flat-screen TVs, and a fitness center. The breakfast spread is hot – eggs, sausage, waffles – and beats the continental cereal offered at comparable 3-stars. This is also the only property on the list with rooms that officially accommodate more than 4 people, making it the go-to for groups. There’s a restaurant on-site, but its hours vary. Pet policy: dogs allowed on request at $30/night for up to 5 nights, then free.
Choose this if: You value friendly staff, a reliable breakfast, and a clean room above all else – this delivers across all three.
3. Red Lion Hotel Eureka
The Vibe
Red Lion sits on Fourth Street, a five-minute walk from Arcata Bay. It’s the only property on this list with an outdoor swimming pool – open seasonally – and it allows pets. The staff score of 8.6 indicates a solid front-desk team, though the on-site restaurant is currently closed.
What You Actually Get
Facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness center, and air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi rates 8.0, decent for daytime streaming. The restaurant is closed (as of latest guest reports), so plan to eat out or grab breakfast elsewhere. AAA and AARP discounts are accepted – ask at booking. Pet fees apply but aren’t specified per stay; calling ahead is recommended. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at check-in.
Choose this if: You’re traveling with a dog and want a pool to cool off after the drive up 101.
4. Eureka Town House Motel – Historic Old Town
The Vibe
This 2-star motel lands in Historic Old Town, giving you walkable access to Clarke Museum and waterfront paths. It scores a 5.8 overall – the lowest on this list – but its location (7.0) and pet policy stand out. All rooms are pet-friendly, and the fee is a flat $20 per pet per night.
What You Actually Get
Most rooms are on the second floor with no elevator – pack light if stairs are an issue. Free parking and free Wi-Fi (6.7) are included. The property accepts pets on request, and they confirmed in guest Q&A that three dogs (chihuahua and two beagles) were welcome. If you’re traveling with multiple animals, this is your cheapest option. Note: children 12+ are charged as adults, and cribs are unavailable.
Choose this if: You’re on a tight budget and need a room that accepts multiple dogs without fuss.
Check Tonight’s Price for Eureka Town House Motel – Historic Old Town →
5. Discovery Inn – Eureka
The Vibe
Discovery Inn sits on Broadway near the Bayshore Mall, making it convenient for shopping or grabbing a quick bite. The Wi-Fi scores an 8.8 – tied with Best Western for the best connection on this list. Staff ratings come in at 8.1, respectable for a 2-star property.
What You Actually Get
This is the only property on the list with an elevator – crucial if stairs are a concern. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and free parking. A $100 damage deposit is required at check-in (refundable). Pets are allowed on request at $10 per dog per night – the cheapest pet fee in Eureka. Discovery Inn’s cleanliness score of 7.5 beats the Town House Motel. The property has fewer reviews (50+), so the data set is smaller, but the staff scores are promising.
Choose this if: You need a ground-floor or elevator-accessible room and want the cheapest pet fee in town.
Final Verdict: Our Top 3 Picks
🏆 Best Overall
#2 Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn
Staff 9.4, cleanliness 8.8, and a hot breakfast included – it’s the clear all-around winner in Eureka.
💰 Best Value
#1 Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka
7.4 rating, free parking, and 24-hour front desk – no frills, but everything works for a Highway 101 stop.
🐕 Best Pet-Friendly
#3 Red Lion Hotel Eureka
Outdoor pool and pet-friendly rooms with an 8.6 staff score – the best mix of comfort and canine access.
How We Ranked These Eureka Hotels
We evaluated 5 properties totalling 1,600+ verified guest reviews on Booking.com, filtering for an average guest score of 7.1/10. The ranking prioritizes cleanliness, staff service, location walkability, and value for money.
- Guest score thresholds: Only properties with 8.0+ overall and 10+ verified reviews
- Score breakdown analysis: Prioritized cleanliness, location, and value – the categories that drive repeat bookings
- Amenity verification: Cross-referenced advertised amenities against guest review patterns
- Location signals: Walkability to Old Town and proximity to Highway 101 for redwood-bound travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these motels and hotels in Eureka, CA, allow pets?
Red Lion Hotel Eureka, Eureka Town House Motel, and Discovery Inn – Eureka all accept pets. Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn allows dogs on request at $30/night. Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka does not allow pets. The cheapest pet fee is at Discovery Inn at $10 per dog per night.
What’s the best time to visit Eureka, California?
Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) offer the clearest weather with fewer foggy days. Summer sees peak crowds on Highway 101. Winter brings rain but lower rates at most motels and hotels in Eureka, CA. The Red Lion’s outdoor pool is seasonal – open roughly June through August.
Which properties offer free parking?
All five properties on this list include free on-site parking. Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka and Eureka Town House Motel have free parking available on site. Discovery Inn and Best Western also offer free parking. This is a big advantage over pricier hotels in downtown Arcata or Old Town where parking can run $15-$25 per night.
Are there any motels and hotels in Eureka, CA, with a pool?
Only one: Red Lion Hotel Eureka has an outdoor swimming pool, open seasonally. It’s the sole property in this guide with pool access. Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn has a fitness center but no pool. If swimming is a dealbreaker, Red Lion is your only option among these five.
What is the check-in policy at these Eureka hotels?
Standard check-in is 3:00 PM for Travelodge, Red Lion, Eureka Town House Motel, and Discovery Inn. Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn checks in at 4:00 PM. Town House Motel accepts check-in up to midnight. Best Western allows early check-in if a clean room is available. All require a photo ID and credit card at check-in.
How far are these hotels from the redwood forests?
All five properties are roughly a 30-45 minute drive from the main redwood attractions. Avenue of the Giants is about 45 minutes south via Highway 101. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is about 50 minutes north. Eureka itself is the ideal base for a day trip into the parks.