This was our second trip to Crescent City California. We visited last year for just a few days but it was about a month earlier and the weather was miserable!
Welcome to Crescent City California
In fact, when Steve told me that he’d booked a week at the same RV park I worried that we wouldn’t find enough to do to keep us busy. All we really did was drive a few miles north to have lunch in the town of Brookings OR.
This pair of elk were just hanging out along the 101 in Crescent City California
Our plan last year was to continue up the coast, all the way to Seattle WA. However there was snow forecasted all up the coast; so we headed back to spend more time in the warmer climate of SoCal.
The coastline of Crescent City California
This tree appears to be growing right out of the top of the rock.
This year we timed it much better. Well, almost. We had planned on visiting Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, but that got nixed because of a blizzard (mid April no less!!!). And we decided to stay two weeks in Crescent City.
The emerald waters of the Smith River
Crescent City California
As it turned out, we found so much to do in the area that we could have stayed even longer than two weeks! What a difference a year makes.
Our first day of exploration took us to Trees of Mystery. Yup. More Coast Redwoods. I’ll be telling you all about that in my next post.
Crescent City Lighthouse and Brother Jonathan Park
Crescent City Lighthouse
Crescent City Jetty
On our way back from Trees of Mystery, we took a ride to the Crescent City Lighthouse and Brother Jonathan Park. My intrepid husband decided he wanted to disregard all of the warnings about dangerous waves washing over the jetty, and walked all the way to the end. I was a nervous wreck until I finally saw him returning. The worst part was that he had my phone (because it takes better photos) and his phone, so I couldn’t even call him to make sure he was okay and hadn’t been swept out to sea. The best part was that he did return safely and got awesome photos.
Brother Jonathan Park Memorial
We never got to tour the lighthouse, but did get to enjoy its beauty from many different angles. From there we got to see more of the park and the memorial to the crew on the S.S. Emidio who lost their lives in an attack by a Japanese submarine on December 20, 1941. There is even a portion of the hull on display.
S.S. Emidio Memorial
Tanker S.S. Emidio Memorial
Piece of the hull of the S,S. Emidio
The S.S. Emidio was a General Petroleum Corporation Tanker which became the first casualty of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s submarine force action on California’s Pacific Coast. The ship was attacked about 200 miles north of San Francisco and 5 crewmen were killed. Abandoned, the tanker drifted north and broke up on the rocks off Crescent City. The bow drifted into the harbor where it remained near the memorial marker until it was salvaged in 1950.
Crescent City beach and harbor
Horseback riding on the beach in Crescent City California
Floating islands of seals and sea lions
Seals and sea lions sun bathing in Crescent City harbor
A very vocal seal sang us a whole aria!
Each day we took a drive along the coast in Crescent City and found new neighborhoods to enjoy. But my favorite area was the harbor. We returned repeatedly to visit the California Sea Lions and Pacific Seals that loved to sun bathe there. There were probably hundreds of them and they loved putting on a show for happy onlookers. And they were loud! Our RV park was about a half mile away and we could hear them barking at each other.
Crescent City Aquarium
Starfish at the Crescent City Aquarium
A stubborn seal lying down on the job at the Aquarium
The day before we left for Portland, we visited the Aquarium. It was a very small aquarium. I think it was the smallest one we have ever been to. We got to touch starfish, baby sharks and skates along with a fun show put on by a couple of seals and a trainer. In about 20 minutes we had seen everything in the aquarium and even almost got eaten by a great white.
Eek! We’re being eaten by a shark at the Crescent City Aquarium!!!
We enjoyed Crescent City California so much that I hope we return in the near future!
As the sun sinks slowly in the west…
I grew up in Crescent City. Back in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s it was a really nice little town . Until the maximum security prison was built, and all the inmates families and friends moved there.
The last time I was there, a woman and her daughter were raped on that cool beach you advertise. The crime rate had tripled and more . My hometown turned into someplace I will NEVER go to again.
So sorry that you feel that way about your hometown. While we were there we felt totally safe and enjoyed exploring the surrounding area. I think bad things can happen anywhere. By the way, I am not “advertising” any locations. Just sharing my experiences and opinions of place that my husband and I visit. I do appreciate your comment and hope you will come back to my site to read about other place we have been.
Always was and has been my favorite town I’ve ever lived in. Love Crescent City. Just visited at the end of last month with our family of 6. Still have family there and it was lovely to have my kids walk and play on the beaches I played on growing up.
How fabulous to grow up in such a beautiful town! I’m sure your children love being there. And when they grow up they will look forward to visiting Crescent City and appreciate its splendor!!!
Looking forward to living there! I love the beach! Cresent City is the only place I ever really enjoyed for vacationing.
Lucky you to soon be calling Crescent City home!!!
I’m sorry for your experiences while in Crescent City, but as far as I know our Police department keeps us all safe.
I moved here 15 years ago from the El Sobrante / SF Bay Area & haven’t had a single problem ever since.
I volunteered at the NMMC North Coast Marine Mammal Center which is down at the end of the Park parking lot. It is by choice I worked the 8pm or 10pm shift (the later was during Harbor Pup season when more shifts were required). I worked alone a lot in the dark at 9pm with the door open, going in & out to feed the seals & was never bothered.
I always felt safe in the 4 yrs I worked there & in my home I have continuously lived in for 15yrs. near Brother Jonathan Park.
I know it’s not perfect here but the crime rate has changed so I wish you would give Crescent City another chance!
I agree I lived there from 1959 till 2013 it’s changed so much since the prison came to town more violence and most stores closed down when Walmart opened. It once was a thriving lumber town with a full bay of fishing boats and three working fisheries
I’m not saying it’s not beautiful the country is filled with amazing wonders, I know most hidden swimming holes and trails camp spots not on the map, The beaches are breathtaking especially at sunset, at night bonfires are the best shared with great friends. What I’m saying it’s not as beautiful in town as it once was, I lived there before the tsunami hit town it was booming back then, we even had parking meters can you imagine that?
Thanks for your comments. Nothing ever stays the same. Progress is not always beneficial! Crime is higher almost everywhere. But that doesn’t make Crescent City any less beautiful. As a tourist, I felt safe and certainly enjoyed my time there!!!
I’ve heard a lot about how Walmart tends to put other stores out of business. Sad.
Thank you for seeing the beauty of our hometown!
My pleasure Courtney! There is so much beauty all around us where ever we go. Of course there is good and bad everywhere. Some people seem to only see the things that aren’t perfect. I feel badly for them. They need to take the blinders off and look for what is wonderful. They will find it, if they allow themselves to!
I appreciate that you read and enjoyed my post. Thanks!
I think it is beautiful; even was born here and still live here. I don’t like the fact of trying my hardest getting a good job and going through so many hoops because I am over qualified. Definitely a retirement area because of the beauty, but to live here as a young guy trying to get a great job; not good. The work force barely stays open til 11:00am. That is sad and kids getting addicted at age 5 when can a person who is qualified think outside of the box??
It seems so odd to me that it’s difficult to get a job. Our son said the very same thing, and he lives in North Carolina! As we traveled from the west coast to the east coast, we saw billboards and huge signs on large buildings stating that they’re hiring. If restaurants and other buildings are short staffed, why is it so hard to find work?
Glad to hear that you agree with me about the beauty of Crescent City! Thanks for your comments.
Cindy,
I’m sorry for your 1950s – 1980s experiences while in Crescent City, but as far as I know our current Police department keeps us all safe.
I moved here 15 years ago from the El Sobrante / SF Bay Area & haven’t had a single problem ever since.
I volunteered at the NMMC North Coast Marine Mammal Center which is down at the end of the Park parking lot. It is by choice I worked the 8pm or 10pm shift (the later was during Harbor Pup season when more shifts were required). I worked alone a lot in the dark at 9pm with the door open, going in & out to feed the seals & was never bothered.
I always felt safe in the 4 yrs I worked there & in my home I have continuously lived in for 15yrs. near Brother Jonathan Park.
I know it’s not perfect here but the crime rate has changed so I wish you would give Crescent City another chance!
If you go back, PLEASE do not let your husband go back onto the jetty! I can’t tell you how many times Search and Rescue has had to endanger their own lives to save an idiot that didn’t obey the signs. Those waves WILL catch a person unawares and sweep them off the jetty onto the sharp rocks below. It’s not safe and the signs are there for a reason.
As someone who grew up there and still have family there, tell your husband to respect the unpredictable nature of the ocean.
I promise! The sea was quite calm the day he disobeyed me. LOL But he definitely should have followed the rules. He’s usually not a rebel.
This is our GO TO vacation spot!
We have a 5 year old and we search the beaches 😊
It’s amazing for her to find …..sea life….and dig in the sand.
I love that you have so much there and can drive just a short distance to get to Eureka or Trinidad!
So much to explore!
It is a drive…. but the elk and everything along the way is amazing.
So glad that you agree with me! Crescent City has become one of my favorite destinations.
Glad you enjoyed Crescent City. I also grew up there and still really appreciate the raw beauty of the area. If you can pry yourself away from the coast, there are spectacular drives through the redwoods (such as Howland Hill Road to Stout Grove). I still find the Smith River breathtaking and enjoy swimming in the cool, but crystal clear water. Del Norte County is also known for its incredible plant life diversity. Try hiking up to Stoney Creek and swimming at the Forks. I used to be a Scuba diver at that little aquarium, back when it was a floating structure in the harbor. Great place to visit. My only complaint is that I’m still not a fan of the fog.
Thanks for you wonderful comments Dave! The Smith river is so gorgeous with its emerald green water. We fell in love with the area and look forward to returning again and again. I guess we were lucky, there was no fog for the entire 2 weeks we were there.
Spent last weekend their. In the cities rv park I give it a grade of C- south beach is a great surfing beach we had lunch at the chart room excellent fish and chips
We stayed at Sunset Harbor RV Park and I’d give it a B.
I was born in Crescent City and have family still there. I have no idea why the rest of us settled in smokin’ hot City of Redding!
The weather is just about perfect and there’s so much to see and do just a short drive away. One of our favorite places so far.
If you ever wanted to live in a California beach community, then Crescent City is the last affordable city in California.
It’s not built up but has potential to be a great place to live.
I live in the redwoods very close to Crescent City ( Gasquet) a great area to visit or live. It’s a sleepy town and you may want to bring your own work.
So nice to hear from people who live in the area! Crescent City has become one of our favorite California places to visit.