Crescent City Beaches

The Crescent City Beaches: Pebble Beach, Point St. George (aka Radio Beach), and Kellogg Beach.

When visiting Crescent City, you'll   appreciate  the magnificent ocean views, the rugged coastline, the wide open expanse of beaches, the lush redwood forests,  and the rich farm land.  

The beaches here are dramatic and majestic in ways that are infinitely different from  beaches anywhere else in the world. While they are too cold for sun-bathing, the views of pounding surf and wide  expanse of sand  are so incredible that a tan  doesn't seem to matter much.  

The northern California coast is one of the best on the entire  West Coast when it comes to   beach walking,  exploring tidal rock pools,  or investigating the many creeks that wend their way to the sea shore.  For those seeking solitude, these pristine beaches are almost deserted, providing  the  perfect place to watch breakers roll in from an apparently  endless horizon.  

Wildlife provide a constant interest,   as seals and brown pelicans enjoy feeding in the surf. It is also quite common to see whales and dolphins  as twice yearly, pods of gray whale   travel along the Del Norte coastline. In the spring, they migrate north to live and mate in the waters off Canada and Alaska. In the fall, they head south to feed and give birth in the warm waters of Baja,  California.  

While in the vicinity, take time out to visit the Battery Point lighthouse, perched 77 feet above the sea. The coast's only offshore lighthouse, Battery Point was first lit in December 1856 , and has been flashing its beacon throughout the night ever since.  Reachable only at low tide, the lighthouse and its maritime museum offer  views that are out of this world. Watch the sunset and breath the cold, invigorating salt  air. There is no feeling quite like it. For tour information,  call 707 464 3089

North of the lighthouse are miles of unspoiled beaches that are perfect for  walking, beach combing, rock pooling,  and surfing.  

Pebble Beach and Kellogg Beach both have picnic tables, while  Radio Beach has three different types of clams for the taking (with the appropriate permit). There is plenty of parking, and no fees are charged. Access to Pebble Beach is west of Pebble Beach Drive. For more information,  call 707-4647230. Access to Point St. George is west of Radio Road. For more information,  call 703 464 7230. Access to Kellogg is via the west end of Kellogg Road, about 10 miles north of Crescent City. For more information,  call 707 464 7237.  

All along the coast,  cliff top look-out points  offer breathtaking views of expanses of sea and sand. Enderts Beach Road, just south of the Crescent City Harbor, is a good introduction to the local coast. The road ends in a scenic look out,   and features beach access, tidal pools, trails and public rest rooms.  

Visit Highway 199 - Smith River Scenic Byway,
For a natural wonder of the non-beach kind, take  Howland Hill Road, which leads to Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith State Park. This narrow dirt road winds between the massive trunks of ancient redwood trees as it follows the south fork of the Smith River.  

The San Francisco Chronicle included the trail through Stout Grove in an article entitled  "Ten Great Hikes in California." The park and the river are named after Jedediah Strong Smith, a famous mountain man and explorer who was reportedly the first man of European origin to come to California overland.

Unparalleled in its wild beauty, the Smith River is the largest  undammed scenic river in America.  

The Crescent City Harbor, on the south end of town, offers boat ramps,  charter fishing, scenic trips, tackle shops,  and restaurants. Windsurfing and bird watching are popular pastimes near the harbor.  

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 a shark petting tank.

For surf enthusiasts - 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. In October, competitors turn out for the annual Noll Longboard Classic surf competition. The 2-day event attracts hundreds of spectators and surfers to the Crescent City  beaches.

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.

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 St. George Reef Lighthouse is visible  six miles off the coast.

The Northcoast Marine Mammal Center, located in Beachfront Park in Crescent City, is staffed by dedicated volunteers who care for  sick and injured seals and sea lions so they can be returned to the wild. The seals and sea lions can be viewed in the pens and tanks where they live while  recuperating. Numerous times a year,  folks gather on the  beach to participate in the release of the  pinapeds that  have been restored to full health. For more information, call the center at (707) 465-6265.  


Things To Do & HighLights
Drive through the Chandelier Tree
Crescent City Harbor
Visit the Wilde & Scenic Smith River
Towering Red Woods
Nature Watch
The North Coast Marine Mammal Center     
Visit the Lighthouse Museum
Enjoy the solitude on miles of pristine, unspoiled coatline
Miles of Beach to Explore
Whale watch from the Shore
Walk to the Lighthouse
Explore the Tidlepools