From Pacific Ocean beaches to the spellbinding Redwood National and State Parks, Crescent City is a great place for outdoor recreation. Embark on hiking trails amid towering ancient trees and spot majestic wildlife in the area. Visit Crescent City’s lighthouse and discover a lively art and culinary scene at this Northern California seaport.
Get acquainted with the history of the city’s Native American people, seafaring and gold mining at the Del Norte County Historical Society. Enjoy the sandy beach, lush lawns and large children’s playground at Beachfront Park. A stroll to the end of B Street Pier offers views of the marina. At low tide, walk to the 160-year-old Cape Cod-style Battery Point Lighthouse for a tour of its tower and rooms.
Crab shacks and seafood restaurants line the docks of the working seaport of Crescent City Harbor. Browse exhibitions by local artists at the Crescent Harbor Art Gallery. Swim, surf, picnic and fly kites at the harbor’s South Beach. Nearby, Ocean World has tanks filled with fish, rays and sharks plus seal shows and shark petting.
Redwood National and State Parks start their 40-mile (65-kilometer) journey along California’s north coast at the edge of the city. Follow trails, such as the Boy Scout Tree Trail, amid old-growth redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Observe migrating whales from the beaches of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Spot free-roaming elk while driving the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
A short drive north of the city is Pacific Shores, where Tolowa Dunes State Park has great camping and bird-watching.
Travel 30 minutes south of the city to enjoy a day out at Trees of Mystery, with giant redwoods, tree sculptures and a treetop gondola ride.
Located close to the California-Oregon border, Crescent City is a 7-hour drive north of San Francisco. Take a domestic flight from Oakland to Del Norte County Regional Airport, which is about 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) from the city center.
