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Crescent City, CA: Where Fun is Always Around the Bend – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit

Check the tide before anything else. Battery Point Lighthouse sits on an island you can only reach at low water, and the wetland at Crescent Beach only opens up on the same schedule. The redwoods and the river do not care what the tide is doing. Neither does the cheese factory, which will show you the whole process. Plan the coast around the water and the inland around the daylight.

Planning a trip to Crescent City, California? You are in for a treat. This charming city sits in the northern part of California and is known for its coastline, its long history and its live culture. Outdoor enthusiast, history buff or someone who came to eat, Crescent City has a version for you.

One of the bigger draws of Crescent City is what sits on its doorstep. Hiking the old-growth redwoods of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park through to kayaking the Smith River, the outdoor activity keeps coming. And for marine life, visit the Battery Point Lighthouse and the Ocean World Aquarium to get close to the local sea creatures.

For history, Crescent City carries plenty of landmarks. Visit the Del Norte County Historical Society for the region’s past, or take a stroll through the Battery Point Lighthouse and Museum for what life looked like for the keepers in the 19th century. And do not skip the local cuisine, since fresh seafood through to farm-to-table restaurants gives Crescent City a food scene worth the calories.

Key Takeaways

• Crescent City offers a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking in the redwoods to kayaking in the Smith River.
• History buffs will enjoy exploring the local landmarks, including the Del Norte County Historical Society and the Battery Point Lighthouse and Museum.
• Foodies will love the diverse and delicious cuisine that Crescent City has to offer, including fresh seafood and farm-to-table restaurants.

The Great Outdoors

Outdoor enthusiasts will find Crescent City exactly right. Hiking trails, beach time, water adventures and scenic drives, there is a version for everyone. Grab your tent, pack a backpack and get going.

Hiking Trails

Crescent City holds some of the finer hiking trails in California. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park belongs on any hiker’s list. The park carries towering redwood trees and scenic trails, the Boy Scout Big Tree Trail among them. Howland Hill Road is the other popular route, taking you through the heart of the redwoods.

Beach Fun

Crescent Beach is a public beach with free visitor parking during the day and public restroom facilities. At low tide you can work the wetland area or go beachcombing for pebbles. Pebble Beach is the other popular spot for beach lovers, with steelhead and salmon runs and strong surfing.

Water Adventures

Crescent City sits on the Pacific, which means the water adventures are plentiful. Go whitewater rafting on the Smith River or take a guided tour of the Pacific Ocean. Lake Earl and Lake Tolowa handle the fishing and boating. And for anyone feeling adventurous, horseback riding on the beach is available.

Scenic Drives

The Northern California coast is known for its scenic drives and Crescent City is no exception. Enderts Beach is where to start the drive. The beach opens onto the Pacific and sits inside Redwood National Park. Stout Grove is the other popular stop, carrying towering redwood trees inside the Six Rivers National Forest.

Camping is popular in Crescent City too. Florence Keller County Park and Campground is a strong place to set up camp, with picnic tables and restroom facilities and a position near the Oregon border. B Street Pier is a historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The pier is where to watch the sunset with the Pacific in front of you.

So what are you waiting for? Plan the road trip to Crescent City and take the great outdoors as it comes.

Marine Life Wonders

Fans of marine life will find Crescent City delivers. Whale watching through to seal spotting, the chances to get close to the ocean’s stranger creatures keep coming.

Whale Watching

With luck you catch a glimpse of the gray whales that migrate along this coast. These creatures show from shore or from a boat tour. Keep your eyes peeled for the spouts and tails as they work their way up and down the coast.

Seal Spotting

Crescent City holds seals, sea lions and other marine mammals of every sort. Take a stroll along Pebble Beach Drive and a few will be basking in the sun. For a closer look, head to the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center, where you pick up how these creatures live and see them up close.

Aquatic Adventures

For the more adventurous, the chances to get out on the water and work through the marine life are plentiful. Take a guided kayak tour and a ray or even a shark may turn up. Or head out on a fishing charter and try your luck at the local fish. However you go about it, the marine life in Crescent City lands.

Seabirds, harbor seals, pelicans or whales, Crescent City has a version for you. With its 360-degree view of the ocean and its long record of lighthouse keepers, this coastal town suits anyone after the wonders of marine life.

Historical Landmarks

History buffs will find Crescent City has plenty. These are the historical landmarks to visit.

Battery Point Lighthouse

The Battery Point Lighthouse is unmissable on any visit to Crescent City. This lighthouse was built in 1856 and is among the oldest on the West Coast. It sits on a small island just off the coast and can only be reached at low tide. With luck you meet the lighthouse keepers and hear some of their stories.

Brother Jonathan Cemetery

The Brother Jonathan Cemetery is a fascinating place to visit. It is the final resting place of many who died when the SS Brother Jonathan wrecked off the coast of Crescent City in 1865. The cemetery sits on a hill above the ocean and the views from it run long. The Brother Jonathan Memorial Park sits nearby and is worth the walk too.

Yontocket Indian Memorial Site

The Yontocket Indian Memorial Site is a sacred place for the Yurok Tribe. It sits on the banks of the Smith River and is where you pick up the history and culture of the Yurok people. The site includes a memorial to the Yurok people killed during the Indian Wars of the 19th century.

So if history interests you, work through those landmarks on a visit to Crescent City. They are a direct route into the area’s past and into the people who lived here before you.

Food and Drink

On food and drink in Crescent City, you will not be disappointed. Seafood through to craft beer, there is a version for everyone. These are the places not to miss:

Seaquake Brewing

Craft beer fans should check out Seaquake Brewing. With a rotating selection of beers on draft, something there will suit you. They also carry a strong pub food menu, burgers, sandwiches and salads included. And with luck you catch some live music while you are there.

Chart Room Restaurant

For a more traditional dining experience, head to the Chart Room Restaurant. Sitting right on the harbor, it gives you the view alongside fresh seafood. Order their famous clam chowder, because it is the local favorite.

Rumiano Cheese Company

Cheese lovers should not miss the Rumiano Cheese Company. They have been making cheese in Crescent City since 1919 and their products sell all over the world. Take a tour of their facility to see how the cheese gets made, then sample the results.

Whatever your taste buds are craving, Crescent City has it. A quick bite or a sit-down meal, both are here. And for anyone feeling adventurous, pack a picnic and head to the beach, because that is the strongest way to combine the scenery and the food of Crescent City.

With children along, the beach is the easy half of it. Crescent Beach has free parking, public restrooms and beachcombing at low tide, which asks nothing at all of anybody in the group at any age. Beachfront Park adds a playground. The Ocean World Aquarium and the marine mammal center both work perfectly well in the rain. Save the lighthouse for a day when the tide and the mood line up together.

Getting Around

By Car

Driving is the way to get around Crescent City, particularly for anyone wanting the country around it. Highway 101 runs right through the city, so finding your way is straightforward. Be warned that the roads twist and turn, so keep a good grip on the wheel. And for anyone unused to driving on the right, practice a little before hitting the highway.

By Bus

Without a car, do not worry, because you can still get around Crescent City by bus. The Del Norte Public Transit system runs several routes through the city and the surrounding areas. Be prepared to wait a while for the bus, since it is not the most reliable system in the world. At least you will have time to catch up on your reading.

And for anyone feeling genuinely adventurous, there is always hitchhiking. Stand by the side of the road with your thumb out and hope for the best. You might meet some interesting characters along the way. But seriously, do not hitchhike, because it is not safe.

So there are your options for getting around Crescent City. Driving the highway or taking the bus, simply enjoy the journey. It is not about the destination, it is about the friends you make on the way.

Accommodation

Planning a trip to Crescent City, California and after somewhere to stay? We have you covered. Camping through to hotels and inns, the options are plentiful.

Camping

Outdoor enthusiasts should camp. Several campgrounds operate in the area, Jedediah Smith State Park, Crescent City/Redwoods KOA and Lighthouse RV Park among them. Pitching a tent or parking an RV, you end up surrounded by everything Crescent City has.

Camping is not for everyone, though. For anyone who dislikes sleeping on the ground or using a communal bathroom, keep scrolling.

Hotels and Inns

For something a little more comfortable, Crescent City carries plenty of hotels and inns. On a budget or looking to splurge, there is a version for everyone.

For a budget-friendly option, check out the Anchor Beach Inn. It sits a short walk from the beach and runs clean, comfortable rooms at a strong price. They also serve free breakfast every morning, so the day starts properly before you work through Crescent City.

For something a little more upscale, check out the Oceanfront Lodge. It sits right on the beach with ocean views from every room. A hot tub and sauna handle the recovery after a long day of walking.

Wherever you choose to stay, Crescent City, California will treat you well. Pack your bags, grab your tent or book the hotel and get ready.

Local Culture

In Crescent City, do not miss out on the local culture. Horseback riding through to the redwoods, there is a version for everyone.

Crescent Trail Rides

After a unique way through the scenery of Crescent City? Saddle up and take a horseback ride with Crescent Trail Rides. You end up feeling like a cowboy as you work through the redwoods and along the beach. And beginners need not worry, since the friendly and knowledgeable guides know exactly what they are doing.

Redwood Rides

For bike enthusiasts, check out Redwood Rides. They run guided bike tours through the redwood forests, with long views and the local flora and fauna explained as you go. And you get the exercise while you are at it.

Whichever you pick, Crescent Trail Rides and Redwood Rides both run an unusual route into the country around Crescent City. So what are you waiting for? Get out there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a day in Crescent City, California?

You cannot go wrong with Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Take a hike, have a picnic and let the towering redwoods work on you. For anyone feeling adventurous, rent a kayak and paddle down the Smith River. And no visit to Crescent City is complete without a stroll on the beach.

Are there any hidden gems in Crescent City that tourists often miss?

Absolutely. Check out the Ocean World Aquarium, where you get close to sea lions and other marine life. For a dose of history, visit the Battery Point Lighthouse, which dates back to 1856. And for anyone who likes a cheesy roadside attraction, do not miss the Trees of Mystery, where a gondola runs through the treetops and Paul Bunyan gets explained.

What are some fun activities for families visiting Crescent City?

For a day of family fun, head to Beachfront Park, which carries a playground, picnic areas and an outdoor pool. Take a tour of the Del Norte County Historical Society Museum for the region’s past. And stop by the Crescent City Farmers Market to sample fresh local produce and artisanal goods.

Where can I find the best seafood in Crescent City?

You cannot go wrong with any of the seafood restaurants in town, and our personal favorite is the Chart Room Restaurant & Bar. Their seafood chowder is legendary and the crab cakes are worth the trip. For something more casual, head to Crescent Seafood for a fish taco or a shrimp po’ boy.

What’s the best time of year to visit Crescent City, California?

Summer is the busiest time to visit, with warm temperatures and plenty running outdoors. To avoid the crowds, though, consider spring or fall. The weather stays mild and there is more room on the beaches and in the parks.

What’s the most Instagram-worthy spot in Crescent City?

Without a doubt, Battery Point Lighthouse takes the prize. The picturesque lighthouse perched on a rocky outcropping makes the backdrop for your next Instagram post. And time the visit right and you catch a sunset over the Pacific.

Frequently asked questions about Crescent City, California

How old is the Battery Point Lighthouse?

Built in 1856, and it is still standing. Battery Point Lighthouse is among the oldest lighthouses on the whole West Coast and sits on a small island you can only reach at low tide. The keepers are sometimes on site and will tell you the stories themselves. The Brother Jonathan Cemetery nearby holds the dead from an 1865 shipwreck offshore. Between the two of them you get this coast’s whole hard history.

Which park has the redwoods near Crescent City?

Jedediah Smith, without much argument. The old-growth redwoods there are tall enough that the Boy Scout Big Tree Trail is worth the walk on its own, and the park holds several more besides. Howland Hill Road takes a car straight through the heart of the grove. Stout Grove sits nearby in the Six Rivers National Forest instead of that. Redwood National Park covers the coastal end down at Enderts Beach itself.

Which brewery is worth a stop in Crescent City?

Seaquake Brewing, for the rotation. The taps change often enough that a second visit gives you something completely different, and the pub food covers burgers, sandwiches and salads besides. Live music turns up on some of the evenings in there. The Chart Room sits right on the harbor for the seafood instead of that. And the Rumiano Cheese Company has been making cheese in this town since 1919.

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