California locals agree: Redwood National and State Parks are some of the most incredible spots you need to visit in your lifetime. And if you’re headed that way, expect to pass through the “gateway to the Redwoods”: Crescent City. Just 25 minutes south of the Oregon state border, this laidback coastal town of 5,500 is considered the last stop along California’s stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway.
Imagine misty mornings driving scenic stretches past Pacific Ocean bluffs and afternoons wandering down paths beneath the tallest trees in the world (including this super-secret and exclusive hike with only 50 permits issued per day). Located directly on the border of the Redwoods, Crescent City offers easy access to both of these iconic experiences and so much more.
What to see and do during a stay in Crescent City
The National Park Service has one of its five information centers located in Crescent City itself, and if hiking is on your agenda, be sure to stop there first for a map and a list of suggested trails. Boy Scout Tree Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is one of the most popular options at 5.5 miles roundtrip, but you might also consider easier treks like the half-mile Stout Grove Trail or the single-lane one-hour drive along Howland Hill Road. Deeper into the woods, the Trees of Mystery feature suspension bridges and gondolas up to 1,500 feet in the air that adventure seekers and families will surely love.
High in the sky, you may have a better chance of sighting a bald eagle or spotting the majestic Roosevelt elks that dwell on the forest floor. Return to the coast to witness sea lions playing in the Crescent City Harbor or watch for migrating humpback and orca whales (with the best months for sighting being between May and October)…