32 College Towns That Feel Like a European Vacation Without Leaving the U.S.

20. Eureka, California – A German Fairytale Village

Perched along California’s misty North Coast, Eureka feels like a charming Bavarian village nestled between dense forests and a rugged shoreline. Home to College of the Redwoods, this Victorian-era town is famous for its storybook-like streets, gingerbread-style homes, and timber-framed buildings, reminiscent of the Black Forest villages of Germany. The town’s beautifully preserved Old Town district is lined with cobblestone sidewalks, gas lamps, and colorful buildings, evoking the fairytale charm of Rothenburg ob der Tauber or Heidelberg. Eureka’s strong German influence is evident in its culture and culinary scene. Locals and visitors can enjoy freshly baked pretzels, bratwurst, and steins of beer at traditional biergartens, especially during Oktoberfest celebrations, which bring a slice of Munich to the California coast. Surrounded by towering redwood forests and cool mist rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, the town’s natural beauty enhances its old-world European ambiance.