Retro Travel Attractions & Things to Do in Del Norte County, California

Go retro for days in Del Norte County with roadside attractions, historic motels and woodsy lodges.

Del Norte County on California’s Northern California Coast has a variety of attractions, lodging and fun with nostalgic vibes!

Start by exploring Crescent City’s 1960s post-tsunami downtown architecture anytime, or specifically during Sea Cruise weekend, where a classic car show at the beach attracts hundreds of vintage hot rods and classic cruisers. Also, on the first Friday of every month between June and December, downtown Crescent City stays open late with Friday Nights Downtown. Enjoy an evening of wine tasting, live music, shopping specials, art exhibits, and even seasonal parades! Take a self-guided tsunami walking tour to see the remaining evidence of the 1964 tsunami that struck Crescent City because of a massive earthquake in Alaska. Crescent City was hit by a 21 foot wave that destroyed 29 city blocks.

To fuel your creativity, go on an art hunting expedition through Crescent City, Smith River and Klamath to view art murals that capture our history, heritage, wildlife and Native culture  … and earn a free prize! Get the Del Norte County Art Trail Tour map and start exploring.

Fill your afternoons exploring family-run roadside attractions like Trees of Mystery in Klamath, California, and Ocean World aquarium in Crescent City. Both of these family-friendly attractions also have the best gift shops in Northern California!

Trees of Mystery, which opened in 1946, has enough activities to spend an entire day exploring this 120-acre redwood-covered outdoor amusement area filled with sky-high entertainment — pose for a photo with the 49-foot tall Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe, traverse the Redwood Canopy Trail up to 100-feet above the redwood forest floor, and ride the SkyTrail gondola to see the ocean. Check out the Trees of Mystery map with all the things to do. Don’t forget to get free fudge in the gift shop before you leave.

Hand-carved wooden sculptures line the trails at Trees of Mystery

While you’re in Klamath, don’t forget to drive through a living redwood tree — one of the last drive-thru redwood trees left in the world! The tree is open 24 hours per day — just drop the $5 donation fee into the box.

One of the last few remaining drive through redwood trees is in Klamath, California

Scramble across swaying suspension bridges through the redwoods at Trees of Mystery’s Redwood Canopy Trail

A Crescent City jewel since 1964, Ocean World, formerly Under Sea Gardens, was located in the Crescent City harbor small boat basin. It was a barge that was built as an aquarium in Seattle and then floated down to Crescent City. Visitors would descend below deck and view sea life through underwater observation windows. In 1985, the barge was moved to dry land and now consists of sea-life environments housed in tanks containing over half a million gallons of water and an abundance of sea life, including sharks, seals, sea lions and rays. Visitors can enjoy a hands-on experience with interactive tide pools, shark petting, as well as a high-flying sea lion show!

Bowl a few games before bed at Tsunami Lanes, which opened in 1962 and was operated by one family for over 40 years. The current owners also operate Port O’ Pints Brewing Co.’s two locations in Crescent City. The Port O’ Pints South Beach location at the Crescent City Harbor has old-school video arcade games to play, along with (almost nightly) live music, a food truck park, axe throwing, darts, and pool tables.

Bowl a game at Tsunami Lanes in Crescent City.

Curl up for the night at Crescent City’s Curly Redwood Lodge, a mid-century mint condition motel which was made from one VERY large redwood tree, or splurge on an oceanfront stay at the Starlite Inn airbnb where you’ll marvel at all the cool mid century furniture and accessories.

Cruise scenic Highway 199 that follows the bright blue Smith River to gaze at the ancient redwoods along Howland Hill Road, a historic stagecoach route after fueling up on breakfast at the Historic Hiouchi Cafe.

Vintage furnishings at the Starlite Inn only add to the charm of this seaside vacation rental in Crescent City.

To really get away from it all, plan a peaceful retreat into the forest and “snooze and booze” at Patrick Creek Lodge, a re-opened historic log lodge in the middle of the Smith River National Recreation Area. This lodge dates back to 1926, but was a busy stagecoach stop in the 1800s. The lodge has also been featured in several films, including most recently, Love in the Time of Monsters (2014), a campy horror film. Speaking of horror, go on a Crescent City ghost tour and learn about Patrick Creek Lodge’s haunted history as well. The renovated motel rooms are cozy and comfy, and they intentionally kept the vintage woodsy lodge vibe while also updating the rooms with the modern amenities you can’t live without. Entertain yourself with miles of hiking trails, fishing on Patrick Creek, or seek out the best Smith River swimming holes nearby. Be prepared to unplug from it all because the internet can be a bit spotty way out in these woods.

Belly up to the vintage bar at the historic Patrick Creek Lodge in Del Norte County, California.

Check into one of the recently remodeled cabin-like motel rooms at Patrick Creek Lodge near Gasquet, California.