The county seat and largest city in Del Norte County, Crescent City (pop. 4,006) is best treated as a base from which to explore the surrounding wilderness. The foggy weather that helps the redwoods thrive makes the city fairly depressing and gray, and what character it developed since its founding in 1853 has been further eroded by storms; a giant tidal wave, caused by the 1964 earthquake off Alaska, destroyed nearly the entire city.
Crescent City includes the usual motels and restaurants, like the Beacon Burger (707/464-6565), at 160 Anchor Way. There’s one unique spot 10 miles north of town: the Ship Ashore (707/487-3141), a gift shop, restaurant, and motel along US-101, marked by a grounded ship.
Crescent City does have the headquarters for Redwood National Park (707/464-6101); a block east of US-101 at 1111 2nd Street, this is the best source of information for southbound travelers.
