Arcata Plaza (downtown). The official start location is a great place to marvel at the contraptions. Race begins noon May 27. Ninth St. at G St. (from U.S. 101, take the State 255 exit to Fourth St.; turn right on G St.); free shuttle available.
Manila Dunes Community Center. Enjoy entertainment, food booths, and racers preparing their rigs for dune travel. May 27. 1611 Peninsula Dr. (take State 255 south to Pacific Blvd. in Manila; turn right, then left on Peninsula).
Dead Man's Drop. Plenty of thrills as kinetic sculptures and their pilots brave the hill. From 1:30 p.m. May 27. From Arcata take U.S. 101 south to Eureka; turn right on R St. to the Samoa Bridge. Cross the bridge and turn left on Samoa Blvd. Look for parking and race signs on the way to the dunes.
Eureka boat ramp. More thrills as pilots attempt to navigate Humboldt Bay. From 9 a.m. May 28. S St. and First St., under the Samoa Bridge. Another good viewing spot is F St. and First St.
Downtown Ferndale. The relative sobriety of the town's annual Memorial Day parade gives way to lunacy as racers arrive at the finish line. From noon May 29. Take the Ferndale exit off U.S. 101.
Have art,
will travel
