The crescent-shaped bay that gives Crescent City its name can be seen from a scenic vista stop just south of town on Hwy 101. From this vantage point you can see the rugged coast and lush forests that have helped shape this oceanside city's history. Visitors enjoy the nearby Redwood National and State Parks, the Smith River National Recreation Area and Scenic Byway, as well as the magnificent coastline. Whether peering up at a skyscraping redwood grove, floating down the river or taking in a panoramic sunset over a long, empty beach, Crescent City's natural beauty is something to experience.

Learn more about the area at the Del Norte County Historical Society's main museum at 577 H St., and then gain even greater knowledge of the area's history by visiting the Battery Point Lighthouse, Museum (also run by the Del Norte County Historical Society) and Lighthouse Keeper's Residence. For more family fun, be sure to check out Crescent City's Beachfront Park, and the ever-popular Ocean World, where you can safely pet a shark and watch trained seals and sea lions perform.