Crescent City Live Cam

The crescent-shaped bay that gives Crescent City its name can be seen from the vista point just south of town on Highway 101. From this vantage point can also be seen the rugged coast, lush forest and rich farm land that shaped its history.

For the past hundred-odd years, Crescent City has prospered on its vast resources: mile upon mile of clear, straight-grained redwood trees, salmon-filled streams and ocean, and inland, mineral riches.

Although resource-based industries such as lumber mills have all but disappeared in Crescent City, the area still has much natural bounty to offer the traveler. There are still thick forests of gigantic coast redwoods in state and federal parks, rushing, untamed rivers for fishing, boating and swimming and a coastline so wild that seeing an elk, osprey or sea lion is commonplace.

Visitors come to enjoy nearby Redwood National Park, the Smith River National Recreation Area and Scenic Byway and the magnificent coastline. The headquarters for Redwood National Park is located in Crescent City and includes a visitors center and gift shop at 1111 2nd Street. Brochures are available of park trails and seasonal activities.

Enderts Beach Road, just south of the Crescent City Harbor, is a good introduction to the local coast. The road ends in a scenic overlook and features beach access, tidepools, trails and public restrooms.

Another natural wonder is Howland Hill Road which leads to Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith State Park. This narrow dirt road wends between the massive trunks of old-growth redwood trees as it follows the course of the south fork of the Smith River. Sunlight is filtered by the towering canopy but patches on the river reveal incredibly clear water with a rich emerald-green tint.

The road is not suitable for RVs or trailers, but any passenger car or truck should have no problem. The grove can be reached by taking Elk Valley Road east from Highway 101 on the south side of Crescent City. Take a right on Howland Hill Road from Elk Valley and follow to the grove. The road ends at Highway 199 northeast of Crescent City. A left turn at this point will lead back to Crescent City. Highway 199 is part of the Smith River Scenic Byway and is also a beautiful road to travel.

The Crescent City Harbor, on the south end of town, offers boat launching, charter fishing, scenic trips, tackle shops and restaurants. If not out to sea, the Coast Guard cutter Edisto is open for tours from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The harbor also has scores of resident sea lions that can be observed lounging on the harbor docks on most days. In 1964 a tsunami caused by the Alaskan earthquake destroyed much of the waterfront and downtown area.

Ocean World, on Highway 101 just north of the harbor, allows visitors to experience local sea life up close. The aquarium features a "touch and feel" tank, friendly sea lions and an extensive shark petting tank.

Battery Point Lighthouse is a visitor attraction that has served for more than a century to warn mariners of the rocky shoreline. The lighthouse, which houses a museum with historical displays, is on a spit of land that can be reached by a short walk at low tide. To reach the lighthouse, drive to the west end of Front Street and turn left on A Street. There is a public pier and picnic area at the same location. Fishing without a license is allowed on the pier. Tackle and crab rings are available for rent.

North of the lighthouse are miles of unspoiled beaches that invite walking, beachcombing, tidepooling and surfing. Those interested in surfing will want to visit the surf museum located at Rhyn Noll Surfboards at 1220 A Second St. Dozens of classic surfboards are displayed with photos and artifacts of famed big-wave rider Greg Noll.

Some of the area's most beautiful beaches can be seen from Howe Drive and Pebble Beach Drive. At the north end of Pebble Beach Drive one can view Castle Rock, a national wildlife refuge for thousands of sea birds and sea lions. The barks and growls of the sea lions can often be heard from shore.

A left turn where Pebble Beach Drive connects with Washington Boulevard will lead to Point St. George where unspoiled beaches and numerous trails invite exploration. On clear days the Point St. George lighthouse is visible six miles off the coast. Put into service in 1892, it was decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1975 and is now marked by a buoy. Several lightkeepers died in rough seas while trying to dock at the light. The original Fresnel lens of the lighthouse can be seen at the Del Norte Historical Society Main Museum located at 577 H St.

Crescent City celebrates its unique community with several special events each year, such as the World Championship Crab Races, which take place on President's Day Weekend in February, and its Fourth of July activities.

The City of Crescent City’s Fred Endert Municipal Swimming Pool is the only public swimming pool in all of Del Norte County. It is a year-round indoor facility open to the public at reasonable rates. The admission fees are the same for City and non-City residents. The programs offered at the pool have changed over the years to reflect the needs of the community. Considering the size of Crescent City and Del Norte County, the Fred Endert Municipal Swimming Pool posts solid attendance numbers. For instance, in the 1997-98 fiscal year, the daily attendance total was 59,146.

Historical Background

Florence Keller Park - On June 22, 1967, Mr. and Mrs. W. Earle Keller donated much of the property on which the park is located as well as the land located on the east side of Hwy 101 which monuments the Never-Dying Redwood. Mr. Keller stipulated that the land be used as a County Park in honor of his wife, Florence D. Keller. Del Norte County purchased additional land in 1969 and 1970, bringing the total area of the park to 27 acres.

Ruby Van Deventer Park - In August 1927, Mr. Frank H. Sayre and Mrs. Jean Y. Sayre donated this land to the county of Del Norte. On July 9, 1967 the park opened and was dedicated in the honor of Mrs. Ruby Van Deventer a life long resident. Ruby, as affectionately referred to by residents, graduated from the one-room Redwood School House located on North Bank Road (which has since been relocated to the Del Norte County fair grounds). Ruby was the first female Del Norte native daughter to graduate from the University of California (class of 1914). She returned to Del Norte County to teach in local schools for over thirty years, retiring in 1954 to write a botany book on Del Norte County.

Clifford Kamph Memorial - On Memorial Day 1949 the park was dedicated in honor Lt. Clifford Kamph. Lt. Kamph was killed during WWII in an act of heroism while on a mercy flight in the Carribean in January 1945. His parents Edward and Melita L. Kamph donated the land where the park is located. This land previously had a barn that was used during the war by the government to house horses used by the military to patrol the beaches during blackout periods.

Del Norte County is full of recreation opportunities. From old lighthouses to modern day attractions, there is much to see and do. Our attractions draw many people to experience their unique appeal. Don't miss the chance to drive through a tree, to pet a shark, or ride a river jet boat.

For the outdoor types, Del Norte County is a treasure. The ancient redwoods and the cleanest wild river in the U.S.A. reside here providing wondrous outdoor surroundings for many recreational opportunities. Furthermore, over [seventy percent] of the county is public land, creating great opportunities for hiking, camping, nature watching and any other outdoor activity. Don't forget, Del Norte County expands into the Pacific Ocean with miles of pristine beaches, granting access to deep sea fishing, scuba diving, beach walking, surfing, crabbing and a 101 other activities where your imagination is the only limit.

History Of Surfing In Crescent City

The legend says the first surfer to ride waves was Mike Morgan in 1963. His son Ross, surfs in the contest! Mike braved the chilly waters for years with out a wetsuit, until O'Neill invented a wetsuit for surfing. In those days wearing a wetsuit was uncool. Too restrictive, made knee paddling uncomfortable. Made you look like a geek! Jim Rooney, Charlie Hoffman and his girlfriend Bernice Murphy also surfed that first summer. For awhile in the 60's you could rent from Bernice's daughter Sherrie at Pebble Beach.

Surfing was confined to Pebble, South Beach and Garth's(named for Garth McNamara who owned the ranch there.) Logs, next to the jetty on south beach, was the hot summer spot. Of course no one wore leashes so the reef's went mostly unexplored. However in the late 60's Whaler Island saw it's first riders. Mike Selfridge, Greg and Tom Stoler, Don Hartly, Larry Altstatt. The deepest take off spot is still called "Larry Land". Larry was also the first to ride C.S. reef (Chicken Sh** Reef) the outside spot that was seen breaking during the Noll Classic in 1996. He did it in the middle of winter with no leash on a 60's longboard in a short john wetsuit. Larry would always sit outside everyone else and pick off the biggest set waves!

In 1965, the Pebble Beach Surf Club was formed by local Pebble Beach surfers. They even had a float in the 4th of July parade complete with a breaking wave and a beach bunny riding it. Greg Noll showed up sometime in the late 60's and was often seen sitting alone outside Beachcomber, picking off set waves!

Rhyn Noll Started shaping custom boards in the 80's for friends and soon it became a business. Rhyn Noll Surfboards opened on Hwy 101 and is run by Rhyn and his mom Beverly. Custom Surfboards as well as a line of Stylish Streetsurfer Skateboards, Plus all the items you will need for surfing and skating!