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A few hours north of San Francisco there is a small college town within Humboldt County, tucked away in the Redwood Coast, known for its rainy overcast days, university, organic food, marijuana and coastal trails called Arcata.

Nestled within the outdoorsy yet wet town is a cozy European style cottage, home to a coffee shop called Cafe Mokka-Finnish Country Sauna. It’s not just the coffee or the delicious baklava that has people coming in on brisk rainy days, but rather the outdoor Finnish Hot Tubs hidden out in the back.

The open air hot tubs are located in the backyard with wooden bridges and koi ponds paving the way to private hot tubs and saunas. The wooden hot tubs are built on a wooden platform and are secluded so that you could enjoy your privacy with a few friends for half an hour to an hour.

Going to Cafe Mokka with my friends was one of my favorite things to do while in Arcata and if I wasn’t in the mood to go into the hot tubs, then I would come to read in the cozy cafe while international folk music played dimly in the background.

This is one of the most relaxing experiences in Arcata, especially after a long hike or bike ride in the Redwood Forest.

Reservations are a must for the tubs because they are in high demand. This is one of the most popular spots for locals and while it’s not exactly secret, it is a must-try experience.

My favorite time to go to the Finnish Hot Tubs is in the evening, perfect for stargazing if it’s a clear night and even soothing if it’s a bit misty out. Plus, you are surrounded by magnificent Redwood trees and ferns.

One of my concerns before checking out the hot tubs were the cleanliness of them, but I spoke to different employees and baristas at Cafe Mokka, and they assured me that the hot tubs and saunas are cleaned regularly.

When you decide to check out Cafe Mokka, don’t forget your bathing suit and a change of clothes! If you don’t have a towel, you can always borrow a fresh clean towel when you’re checking in.

To make a reservation, call ahead at 707. 822.2228.

Hours: Sunday through Thursday from Noon to 11 pm

Friday & Saturday from Noon to 1 am

Cost: $9.50 per person Cafe Mokka is also cash only!

If you’re on a road trip up the California Coast, I highly recommend stopping in Arcata and spending at least a whole day exploring and also checking out this sweet spot.



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