Visit Crescent City, California: Where You Can Have a Trail, a Pacific Ocean Beach, a Wild River, Or Even a Redwood Tree All to Yourself.
As the largest city on the Redwoods Coast — located in the upper corner of Northern California just south of the Oregon border within Del Norte County — Crescent City serves as the primary gateway to the Redwoods National & State Parks where some of the world’s tallest trees welcome over 1.5 million visitors every year and its striking landscape has been the backdrop of blockbuster movies like Bird Box, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and more. It’s one of northern California’s best-kept secrets and a multi-sport mecca for outdoor fun.
VIEW OUR TRAVEL GUIDES
ABOUT CRESCENT CITY
As the largest city on the Redwoods Coast — located in the upper corner of Northern California just south of the Oregon border within Del Norte County — Crescent City serves as the primary gateway to the Redwoods National & State Parks where some of the world’s tallest trees welcome over 1.5 million visitors every year and its striking landscape has been the backdrop of blockbuster movies like Bird Box, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and more. It’s one of northern California’s best-kept secrets and a multi-sport mecca for outdoor fun.
A destination for adventurers and sightseers on California’s Northwest Coast, this small community sits between the mighty Pacific Ocean, ancient redwood forests and tribal lands, and two wild and scenic rivers. Crescent City is a small town with big dreams, big outdoor beauty, and very few people. Crescent City gets its name from the famous crescent-shaped strand of sandy beach that punctuates the city of approximately 6,000 people. You won’t find mega-malls or shopping centers here. The small shops, galleries, and restaurants are primarily family-run.
Take in the staggering beauty of the forests, beaches, wild rivers, and wildlife then find tons of activities, attractions and events in town. Stroll a serene beach, watch for whales, listen to sea lions sing at the harbor, tidepool near a historic lighthouse, enjoy a fresh catch and craft brew, or explore endless hiking, biking and horseback riding trails — including the famous California Coastal Trail (CTC) which winds its way along the entire Del Norte County coastline.
Discover scenic picnic spots, sprawling beaches, craggy overlooks, stunning trails, local art, rich history, casino gaming, welcoming events and delicious dining all packed into one spirited place.
Get a trail, a beach, a river or even a redwood tree all to yourself. Your adventure awaits in Crescent City at www.ExploreCrescentCity.com.
UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS
“On the far Northern California coast, Jed Smith, as it’s known, packs a lot of wild into 10,000 acres. It’s got an undammed, free-flowing river, a trackless core that invites childlike exploration, and seven percent of the entire world’s old-growth redwoods. Readers love experiencing this wildness based in one of four cabins operated by the park.”
“Crescent City, the northernmost coastal town in California, is wild. It is tough to imagine that a city as sleepy and isolated exists in the same state as its bustling southern siblings with which it shares a coast. But 20 miles south of the Oregon border, Crescent City is an excellent place to spend a day. What the town might not deliver in Michelin-starred restaurants or five-star accommodations, it makes up for in easily accessible dramatic coastline, dense Redwood forests and pristine rivers.”
FUN FACTS & FIGURES
Largest City: Crescent City, Incorporated in 1854
Population: 6,805
County: Del Norte
Other cities and towns in Del Norte County: Klamath, Smith River, Fort Dick, Hiouchi, and Gasquet
Airport: Del Norte County Regional Airport (CEC) with daily direct flights to Oakland International Airport (OAK). Rogue Valley International Medford Airport in Medford, Oregon is the next closest airport with non-stop service to ten destinations.
Sister City: Rikuzentakata, Japan established on April 16, 2018, as the result of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011 and a lost boat that washed up on the shores of Crescent City. Read the Story of Kamome or watch the documentary.
Famous Movies Filmed in Del Norte County: Bird Box, Jurassic Park: The Lost World, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Find out more at the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission
Annual Events:
BoatSmith – February
Redwood Wild River Run – March
4th of July Celebration with Fireworks Over the Crescent City Harbor – July
Gasquet Raft Races – July
Klamath Salmon Festival – August
Crescent City Triathlon – August
Tolowa Dee-ni’ Day – September
Sea Cruise Classic Car Show – October
Live from Downtown! It’s First Friday – Every First Friday from April – December
Crescent City Farmers Markets: Weekly Market at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds every Saturday from June – October and the Downtown Crescent City Farmers & Artisan Market is every Wednesday from late May – October
Gasquet Artisan Market: Every Sunday at Patrick Creek Lodge & Historical Inn from Memorial Day – Labor Day
Weather & Climate: Mild year-round temperate climate near the coast. As you climb into the Coastal mountain range, the temperature is warmer in the summer months and cooler in the winter. Temperatures typically vary from 42°F to 64°F and are rarely below 35°F or above 70°F.
“As you strain your neck to take in the giants soaring 300 feet above Stout Grove at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, you’re reminded of your size in the universe. “Stepping into a grove of redwoods is like walking into a cathedral…”
“Needless to say I feel dwarfed, shrunk right down, like I’ve wandered onto the set of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The scale is just absurd; some of the trees here are as tall as 30- or 35-floor-high buildings! You really do feel you are on another planet; incidentally, it’s where George Lucas shot the famous speeder (flying bike) chase scene in Return of the Jedi… YouTube it. And some of the scenes in Jurassic Park were shot here too. Truly one of the wonders of the world; something you have to see in person, because cameras just don’t do it justice. We even drive through one of the trees. Some of the trunks are 9m wide – as wide as two cars placed end to end…”