Stock up on supplies before heading out to the Redwoods in this coastal NorCal city.
California's northernmost coastal city, Crescent City is a good spot to fuel up on gas or pick up supplies if you're making your way down from the Pacific Northwest to visit the nearby redwood forests. The compact city also has a few historic attractions of note, including the Battery Point Lighthouse, which dates back to the 1850s, and the remnants of the SS Emidio, which ran aground in the area in 1942. The Trees of Mystery, a roadside attraction featuring a canopy walk and a gondola, is less than a half-hour drive away. You’ll have plenty of sights to see by day before heading back to your Crescent City area campground come nightfall.
Crescent City makes a great base for exploring the redwood Forest, named for the mammoth species of trees that dominate here, some of which are over a thousand years old. Here you can cruise along the 32-mile Avenue of the Giants to get great views of the forest, hike along the quiet Tall Trees Grove Trail, or even drive your car through a hollowed-out tree.
The coastal mountains inland from Crescent City Range offer ample opportunities for camping and backpacking, with a mix of deciduous and coniferous forests interspersed with streams and lakes. Much of the northern part of the range is preserved as the Klamath National Forest and the Six River National Forest.
Crescent City is less than a half-hour drive from the border with Oregon and offers easy access to what's arguably the prettiest stretch of the state's dramatic coastline. Spots worth visiting include the gorgeous Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and the city of Coos Bay, known for its ample crabbing opportunities.
Crescent City has a temperate climate, with highs in the mid-50s in winter and in the mid-60s in summer. Winters here are considerably rainier than in the summer months, however, with an average of 14 days of rain in December and barely any showers at all in July and August. If you plan to hike or camp in the nearby redwoods, and don’t want to deal with summer crowds, consider visiting in September or early October.