Bob,
About Eureka I'd take the route H-D Dude mentioned thats a good way up from the valley. My Opinion is to stay in Fortuna it's about 10 to 15 miles south of Eureka. It's very quiet and very nice and new Motels, I enjoyed the Best Western you can see it from Hwy 101 coming in. A fun place to eat is just next door The EEl River Brewery lots of different beers to try, if you want some thing alittle nicer just about a mile up the road back on Hwy 101 is a place called Parlota's on the right side of the road. Then in the morning take off and maybe two or three miles up the road is the turn off to Ferndale, a must see very nice old Victorian town. Stop in to maybe eat breakfast at Jeromes right in the center of town.
Hope this helps and we'll see you on the 16th
Don