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Crescent City Travel Information
Crescent City is included on this website because it is almost impossible to get here from the south without going through it. Crescent City is geographically isolated from the rest of California and closely linked to the Oregon cities to the north. As a result, Crescent City is the gateway of the southern Oregon coast. Yet don't make the mistake of skipping this northern most California coast town as it has its own treasures to offer.
Crescent City was the site of three tsunamis, one in 1964, one in 2006, and another one in 2011. The 1964 tsunami was a major one. 11 people died and the damage was $7.4 million in 1964 dollars. This 21-foot tsunami was the result of the great earthquake in Alaska. Although the tsunami was felt along the California coast, the damage was greatest in Crescent City. The 2006 tsunami was the result of an earthquake in Japan. It was 5 to 6 feet high. No lives were lost and damage was estimated to be $700,000. The 2011 tsunami was also the result of an earthquake in Japan. One person was swept out to see while getting too close to take photographs. The damage to the harbor was extensive but there was little or no damage to the town itself.
California Redwoods, Lighthouses, Hiking, Camping, Fishing and more.
First on the list is to visit the Giant Redwoods, located immediately south and east. There are also two lighthouses, a beautiful harbor, the Smith River and ample opportunities to camp, hike and RV.
Map of Crescent City and Del Norte
View Crescent City, California in a larger map
Sightseeing
Don't miss the Battery Point Lighthouse, the St. George Reef Lighthouse, Tolowa Dunes, Lake Earl and the views of the harbor and the Pacific Ocean. The drive along the western edge of the city, along Front Street (Beach Front Park), near the lighthouse and fishing pier, then out to Pebble Beach Drive and Point St. George is worthwhile, even for the weary traveler. Jet boat rides are available on the Klamath River, just 20 miles south ... more
Redwoods
Discover the California redwoods, the tallest trees in the world. These amazing giant redwood forests can be found at the Jedediah Smith Redwood Forest south of Brookings and outside of Crescent City, California. Another grove is located at the Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park along route 101, the Pacific Coast Highway. These mammoth redwood trees may weigh over 500 tons and grow to be taller than the Statue of Liberty and the Giant Sequoia trees. Amazingly, ... more
RVs
The most popular RV campgrounds along the coast are those located in the towering redwoods. Jedediah Smith State Park and Del Norte Coast Redwood Parks are the largest and most spectacular. But don't overlook the nearby Florence Keller Regional Park that offer excellent camping opportunities in second growth redwoods. There are also 6 private RV parks located nearby that offer full hookups and services that the parks do not offer ... more
Camping
There are several campgrounds where you can camp among these redwood giants that are thousands of years old. Jedediah Smith State Park and Del Norte Coast Redwood Parks are the largest and most spectacular. But don't overlook the nearby Tolowa Dunes State Park with primitive camping, or Ruby Van Deventer Park and Florence Keller Regional Park that offer excellent camping opportunities ... more
Fishing
Fish at the 900-foot pier that juts out into the harbor. Perch, halibut, and flounder are the common catch, but the real attraction of the pier is Dungeness crabbing. The Klamath River is located a short distance south and is the second largest river in California and offers Salmon and Steelhead fishing. To the north is Smith River, ... more
Hiking
The California Coastal Trail starts at the state line and winds its way along the beach south through Tolowa Dunes, through Crescent City and onto Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park and The Redwoods National Park. Jedediah Smith State Park has excellent hiking trails along with lesser known hikes like Craigs Creek Trail ... more
Bicycling
For those cycling from north to south, Crescent City - Del Norte is the end of the trail. Yet it is one of the highlights of the trip as it marks the beginning ... more
Restaurants
Crescent City offers a wide selection of family restaurants. Most are located on US Route 101 and are easy to find ... more
Bird Watching
Crescent City and Del Norte County, California, are a haven for birders. Del Norte County is home to California's most northwestern redwood forest as well as Tolowa Dunes and Lake Earl, all havens for birders. In addition, the area is home to the California Redwood Birding Trail and the International Migratory Bird Day, which celebrates birds throughout the Americans. Del Norte County is unique in that approximately 80% of the land is protected and undeveloped and it is home to Smith River, which is the nation's longest Wild and Scenic River. It is also home to Lake Earl which is the largest coastal lagoon outside of Alaska ... more
Golf
There are two 9-hole golf courses. One is located near the redwoods off of Route 197 (North Bank Road). The other is located near the intersection of US ... more
Surfing - Windsurfing
There are six spots that are favorites for surfers in the Crescent City - Del Norte area. They are (north to south): Kellogg Beach, Point St. George, Garth's Reef, Whaler Beach, South Beach, and Enderts Beach. Sharks have been identified at all locations, so be careful. Kellogg Beach is located well to the north of the city, near Lake Earl. This beach is a local secret. Surfing is not affected by the tides, but ... more
Horseback Riding
Tolowa Dunes and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park are two areas to camp and ride. The Little Bald Hills Trail is stock-ready primitive camp. Potable water is available. The trail is 10 miles round trip with the trailhead located off Howland Hill Road, 7.5 mi east of Crescent City, or 1.5 mi off South Fork Road east of Hiouchi. The Mill Creek Horse Trail is available for day use only and is 5 miles roundtrip through an old growth redwood forest. From June through September, when the water flow is low, this trail can be accessed from the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park campground. Further south, in the Redwood National Park and California Redwood State Park there are extensive trails for riding and camping. There are two trailheads, ... more
Whales
Del Norte Redwood State Park has one of the best lookouts at the end of the 3-mile-long Endert's Beach Road, which leads off U.S. Highway 101 a mile south of Crescent City. There are displays at the overlook that describe the whales and their migration as they travel up and down the Pacific coast. Tolowa Dunes State Park offers ample parking and a short hike to the ocean for a lookout. But the most convenient spot is the 9th Street viewing area ... more
