Crescent City offers beaches and redwood forests on the North Coast
On the North Coast of California, Crescent City is known for its redwood forests and historic lighthouses along a crescent-shaped shoreline. While semi-isolated from other metropolitan hubs, Crescent City provides attractions and nature preserves in a quiet NorCal community where residents can live by the harbor. "It's a peaceful community where coastal redwoods meet the ocean, but don't spill the word," says Candace Forsht, a lifelong resident and Realtor with Finigan Real Estate. "It's a beautiful cove, and our housing prices are among California's cheapest for communities on the coast." With Pacific Ocean views and local seafood restaurants, this coastal community features multiple beaches and a collection of colorful midcentury architecture.
Historic houses close to ocean views
Crescent City features Craftsman, New Traditional and ranch-style homes, and many are within 2 miles of the coast. The Crescent City Historic District includes 19th-century architectural styles like Colonial Revivals and Queen Annes. "We have many unique homes from the 1950s and 1960s. 'Unique' is the best word for them because we don't have many cookie-cutter subdivisions," Forsht says. Home prices range from $110,000 to $760,000. Homes up to 1,500 square feet go for $110,000 to $390,000. Houses larger than 2,000 square feet cost between $370,000 and $760,000. At the higher end of the price range, houses have more acreage or are closer to the ocean. Manufactured homes are also available and cost around $10,000 to $530,000.
Beachfront parks and hiking through redwood forests
Access to nature is an important part of Crescent City. "Everyone comes up to enjoy the redwoods, the ocean and the mild temperature," Forsht says. "It's great for outdoor enthusiasts because we have fishing, river kayaking and ocean surfing." Endert Beach is a cove with rock formations and Pacific Ocean views, while South Beach is a popular place for surfing and flying kites. The community's primary green space is Beachfront Park, which has a disc golf course and a wooden playground village by the beach. Also nearby, the Fred Endert Pool features an indoor waterslide and aquatic murals. The Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a 10,000-acre nature preserve with hiking trails through old-growth redwood trees. The Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is about 5 miles south.
Like much of California, Crescent City is at risk of wildfires, although they typically affect the surrounding land and state parks. Heavy rainfall can cause flooding closer to the ocean and the Smith River. The area is prone to tectonic plate events, such as earthquakes and tsunamis. The city monitors these conditions, with designated evacuation routes and an emergency alert system in place.
School programs and activities at Del Norte High School
Joe Hamilton Elementary School earns a C grade from Niche. Crescent Elk Middle School has a C-minus and is part of a Community School Partnership Program that encourages collaboration. Del Norte High School receives a B-minus. It features various school athletic programs and a student-run coffee shop for work experience.
Coastal attractions like an aquarium and a historic lighthouse
Aside from coastline beaches and redwood forests, Crescent City is known for the Battery Point Lighthouse, a historic Cape Cod-style house and museum on a rocky island with ocean vistas and a gift shop. Locals can also visit Ocean World, an aquarium with guided tours of sharks, seals and sea lions. The B Street Pier is a place for fishing and crabbing, with views of the Battery Point Lighthouse.
Seafood restaurants on the harbor and nearby retail
Crescent City features several locally owned seafood restaurants like Seaquake Brewing, which serves craft beer, cocktails and appetizers in a taproom with outdoor seating. The Chart Room Restaurant has seafood dishes, nautical décor and views of sea lions in the harbor. The area's grocery stores include Safeway and Walmart Supercenter. "We don't have many shopping malls or big-box stores, which is one of the cons," Forsht says.
Flying to Oakland and Los Angeles
The Redwood Coast Transit provides a public bus system. U.S. Highway 101 runs north-south through Crescent City, connecting to other coastal towns and cities. "We don't have many people here, so we don't have rush hour traffic or busy highways," Forscht says. Medford, Oregon, is about 110 miles northeast on US-101, while Eureka is approximately 85 miles south. Roughly 3 miles northwest of the city center, Del Norte County Regional Airport, also known as Jack McNamara Field, provides daily passenger flights to Oakland and Los Angeles.
