Wild Rivers Coast – CA Sightseeing
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Wild Rivers Coast – CA Sightseeing
Klamath
The town of Klamath, at the southern end of Del Norte County, is a favorite getaway for campers, hikers, fishermen and other visitors. Named after the adjacent river, the town at one time was a stopping-off point for steamers out of San Francisco that supplied mines up the river. Today Klamath is known for its diverse recreational opportunities and unique natural beauty. Located in the center of Redwood National and State Parks at the mouth of the mighty Klamath River and less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean, the town has lots of activities available for any outdoor enthusiast. There are services and lodging available with cabins, motels, bed and breakfast inns, a hostel and hundreds of campsites. Some amenities include restaurants, a grocery market and a bait and tackle store.
Activities in the Area
- Miles of hiking trails in the area’s parks, as well as on the California Coastal Trail
- World-class steelhead and salmon fishing on the Klamath River
- Outstanding areas for kayaking and canoeing
- Incredible jet boat tours on the Klamath River
- Excellent birding, beachcombing and whale-watching (fall and spring migrations)
- The Trees of Mystery
- Gaming at the new Redwood Hotel Casino
- The Hidden Beach section of the Coastal Trail on the north side of the mouth of the Klamath is a spectacular 4-mile hike that follows coastal bluffs to Lagoon Creek. The trail begins at the end of the road at Klamath River Overlook.
- Scenic coastal drive: On the south side of the river, follow Klamath Beach Drive west as it hugs the rugged coastline for several miles. This dirt road has an alternate route for trailers and RVs at Alder Camp Rd. Several overlooks allow magnificent, unobstructed views of the mouth of the Klamath and the ocean below.
Klamath River Jet Boat Tours
The Klamath River is a beautiful, pristine river that flows into the Pacific Ocean in southern Del Norte County. Set out on a two-hour trip from its estuary in a shallow-draft boat powered by twin jets, and enjoy this picturesque river from a comfortable seat onboard. This round-trip tour is more than 45 miles, with the captain providing a fully-narrated river trip that touches on the Klamath River’s history, Native American culture and the area’s wildlife. View bear, osprey, hawks, eagles, black-tail deer and elk, all of which are found in the area. The jet boats will pause to allow for picture-taking.
It can be cool in the morning and evening, so wear layers that can be shed in the afternoon warmth, and wear a hat and sunglasses. Tours are given three times daily between May and September. Reservations are recommended, but drop-ins are welcome. Personalized and group tours can be accommodated.
MORE INFO: 800-887-JETS (5387), 707-482-7775, JetBoatTours.com
Redwood Casino, Klamath
Located near the southern entrance to Redwood National Park and the mouth of the majestic Klamath River, this modern, clean, and intimate casino is also home to the finest restaurant in the area. The casino has over 100 gaming machines, outrageous jackpots, and a Player’s Club that offers Yurok Country Rewards that include an instant $100 in free play and big discounts on many local attractions, including Klamath River Jet Boat Tours.
WHERE: 171 Klamath Blvd., Klamath, CA
MORE INFO: 707-482-1777, RedwoodHotelCasino.com
Trees of Mystery
photo by Steve Hammons
Northern California’s redwood trees are some of the most remarkable sights in the world. A great place to enjoy them is at Trees of Mystery in Klamath. When you arrive, the official hosts, a towering 50 ft. Paul Bunyan and 35 ft. Babe the Blue Ox, will greet you. One of the most popular attractions is the nearly mile-long, groomed interpretive trail that takes you through the redwoods and allows you to learn the legend of Paul Bunyan. At the end of the trail there is a Native American museum that houses one of the greatest privately-owned collections in the world. An exciting feature of the Trees of Mystery experience is the nearly 1/3 mile journey through the forest tree tops via the unique SkyTrail gondola ride. A total of 8 Gondola Cars continuously make the approximately 8 to 10 minute, 1570 ft. trip up the mountain each day, giving riders not only spectacular views of magnificent redwoods, but a fine mountaintop ocean vista from the observation deck at the summit as well. There are also several other trails available for exploration.
WHERE: 15500 Hwy 101 N., Klamath
MORE INFO: 707-482-2251 or 800-638-3389, TreesOfMystery.net
Klamath Overlook, Requa Road
The sweeping vista of the Pacific Coast viewed from Klamath Overlook in Redwood National Park is absolutely stunning. On a clear day you can see the Klamath River flowing into the ocean, the long sand spit at its mouth, and the spectacular coastline to the south. Along the south bank of the river you can see the remains of an old wagon road that ran from Arcata to Crescent City in the 1890s. Bring binoculars for a chance to see whales (the best times for whale-watching are late November through January and March through May), sea lions, and a large array of birds including bald eagles, ospreys and kestrels. There is a trail from the overlook to your left as you drive in that leads down half a mile to a lower vista point with views some say are even more magnificent than those from higher up. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers — it can get pretty windy and chilly.
Interesting fact: according to the California Coastal Commission, the Klamath is the second largest river in California by volume of water.
WHERE: About 1.5 miles up Requa Rd. from the Historic Requa Inn, or 2.3 miles from Hwy 101, in ancestral Yurok territory.
Crescent City
The crescent-shaped bay that gives Crescent City its name can be seen from a vista point 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 Museum. See artifacts of the local Tolowa and Yurok tribes documenting their lives, culture and history. Throughout the museum there are musical instruments, old radios, phonographic and photographic equipment, weapons, needlework and early logging and mining tools. Photos on the walls and carousels around the building chronicle the history of Del Norte County.
Activities in the Area
- Beachcombing, bird-watching
- Camping, hiking, fishing
- Surfing, kayaking, rafting
- Exploring Redwood National and State Parks
- Visiting Historic museums and lighthouses
- Dining & Sightseeing
Battery Point Lighthouse
This iconic structure stands on a tiny islet that connects to Battery Point by an isthmus at low tide. First lit with oil lamps in 1856, Battery Point Lighthouse remained in service until 1965, when it was replaced by a flashing light at the end of the nearby breakwater. In 1982 it was reactivated as a private aid to navigation by the Del Norte County Historical Society, and remains active today as a working lighthouse, museum, and lighthouse keeper’s residence. The lighthouse and its museum are open to the public for tours, and provide opportunities to look into the personal quarters of keepers and their families as well as the furniture and artifacts they’ve left behind since the 1850s. Tours include a climb into the light tower. There are displays of many maritime artifacts, photographs and documents that chronicle its history.
Visits to the Battery Point Lighthouse and Island are only possible at low tides, and visitors should be on the lookout for sneaker waves when crossing the two hundred feet between the mainland and island. The lighthouse is open, tides permitting, between the hours of 10am and 4pm every day from April through September, and on weekends from October through March.
WHERE: From Hwy 101 in Crescent City, go west on Front St. until it ends at A St. Turn left onto A St. and follow it to the parking lot at its end.
MORE INFO: 707-464-3089 or Main Museum 707-464-3922, DelNorteHistory.org/lighthouse-collections
St. George Reef Lighthouse Helicopter Tours
Situated on a tiny, wave-swept rock six miles off the coast near Crescent City, St. George Reef Lighthouse is a dramatic piece of living history and a monument to the dedication and sacrifices of the courageous men who built, maintained and operated it. The site for the lighthouse, first dubbed the “Dragon Rocks” in 1792, was chosen because of its many maritime disasters, including the wreck of the Brother Jonathan in 1865.
It took almost 10 years to build the lighthouse and get it operational. It saw service from 1892 until 1975, and in 1996 the decommissioned lighthouse was leased by the St. George Lighthouse Preservation Society, which restored it to working condition. In March of 2012 it was once again activated, and today serves as a private aid to navigation.
The restoration and maintenance have been funded primarily by helicopter flights to the remote rock, but for several years flights were halted while new upgrades could be made to the helicopter landing area. The helicopter flights are scheduled to resume in the fall of 2016. Helicopter tours depart the local airport, and land atop the caisson at the foot of the tower. During a one-hour tour of the structure visitors learn about the history of the lighthouse, the reef and lighthouses in general. Tours are dependent upon the weather, and can be changed at the last moment due to unstable flying conditions. Be sure to check the flight schedule. If you cannot make a flight and tour, you might consider stopping by the Del Norte County Museum, on the corner of 5th and H Streets, which is also home to a large collection of artifacts from the lighthouse, 707-464-3922.
MORE INFO: 707-464-8299, StGeorgeReefLighthouse.us;
LighthouseFriends.com/light.asp?ID=26
Ocean World Aquarium
If you are looking for an exciting family adventure, take a tour of Ocean World in Crescent City. This is one of the best privately-owned small aquariums in the United States. Go on a fully guided 45-minute tour that begins with a visit to the tide pool where kids and adults can touch the sea life. There are local flora, sea stars, anemones, sea slugs and more. In the main aquarium there are three environments, one of which features a rocky bottom and has 20 different species of rockfish, wolf eels and giant sea stars. The sandy bottom environment has a school of sharks, and in the open ocean environment you can watch bat rays “fly” along with 40-pound striped bass. Don’t forget to visit the Shark Gallery, where visitors can pet live sharks. There is a show with Cora, the sea lion, and Skull, Marina and Wyatt, harbor seals, who perform tricks. A question-and-answer period with the trainers takes place afterward. Going to Ocean World is a memorable experience for people of all ages!
WHERE: 304 Hwy 101, Crescent City
MORE INFO: 707-464-4900, OceanWorldOnline.com
Northcoast Marine Mammal Center
When marine mammals are injured, sick or stranded along the coastline of Humboldt and Del Norte counties, the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center (NMMC) takes action. Most marine mammals rescued are rehabilitated at the Center and released back into the ocean. The most common animals you will find there are California Sea Lions, Northern Elephant Seals and Pacific Harbor Seals. While NMMC also rescues porpoise, dolphin, otter and other species of seal, they may be transported to another facility that can provide the additional care required for these animals. Whales are assisted via the Whale Disentanglement Team that includes the Center’s volunteer staff and veterinarian.
If you encounter a stranded or injured marine mammal, please stay back and keep people and pets away. These animals are in distress and can inflict severe bites and may carry diseases that are transmissible to people and pets. Contact the NMMC on their Stranding/Rescue line, 707-951-4722, to insure immediate help. Be prepared to describe the animal and its location. Remember that seals and sea lions sometimes rest on the beaches and should not be disturbed. Never drive any marine mammal back into the ocean. This does more harm than good in most instances. Harbor seal pups found on the beach are usually not abandoned. They are awaiting the return of feeding mothers. Watch from a distance so that your presence does not keep mothers away.
Educating people about marine mammals and the importance of the delicate marine ecosystem is ongoing. Northcoast Marine Mammal Center is staffed by dedicated volunteers and funded by donations. When you visit, stop by the gift shop and learn how you can help in their efforts to give these marine mammals a second chance at life in the wild.
WHERE: 424 Howe Drive in Crescent City’s Beachfront Park
MORE INFO: 707-465-6265, NorthCoastMMC.org
Elk Valley Casino
The sounds of buckets filling with coins as slot machines and video games pay off are all part of the excitement at Elk Valley Casino, located on Howland Hill Road in Crescent City, California. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they are always ready to accommodate your favorite casino game. They have live blackjack, poker, slots, and casino bingo, along with special events, giveaways and surprises. In addition to the gaming, Elk Valley Casino also offers a gift shop, a bar & grill, and a senior buffet.
WHERE: 2500 Howland Hill Rd., Crescent City
MORE INFO: 707-464-1020, ElkValleyCasino.com
Redwood National & State Parks
photo by Susan Sall
Known as Redwood NSP by the National Park Service, the entire complex stretches roughly 50 miles from near the Oregon border to south of Orick. The individual parks border and intersect one another to such an extent that they have come to be managed as if they were one entity, although different rules apply in the national and state-run sections. Truly one of the world’s premier natural destinations, these parks provide a wide range of recreational opportunities varying from such rugged outdoor activities as hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping and Class V white-water rafting, to more sedate pursuits including nature photography, peaceful strolls and awe-struck quiet contemplation. A long list of wildlife calls these parks home. In addition to redwoods there are quite a few other trees found in the parks and a variety of ecosystems, with areas of seacoast, river and prairie as well as densely forested zones. The rivers and streams are among the most pristine in the United States.
MORE INFO: Visitor Information Center, 1111 2nd St., Crescent City,
707-465-7335, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, www.nps.gov/redw
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
With 8 miles of wild, rugged coastline and acres upon acres of old-growth redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is a wonderful place to spend the day. Tall trees tower above, allowing thin rays of light to shine through. Adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, there is a mountain range that runs north to south. The rocky coast is only accessible by Damnation Trail and Footsteps Rock Trail. Once down there, you will be able to see the cliffs from a new, awe-inspiring perspective. Wilson Beach or False Klamath Cove is a half-mile sandy beach that is great for strolling at low tide. Throughout the park there are miles of biking, hiking and nature trails along with guided tours.
WHERE: 7 miles south of Crescent City along Hwy 101.
MORE INFO: 707-465-7335, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=414
Crescent City Area Beaches
When you are in the Crescent City area, visiting the beautiful beaches is a must. Del Norte County boasts some real gems. Whether kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, picnicking or just taking a stroll at sunset, you will have a memorable time at the wonderful Del Norte County beaches listed below.
- Hidden Beach
- Beachfront Park
- Kellogg Beach
- Pebble Beach
- Point St. George
- South Beach
- Wilson Creek Beach
- Crescent Beach
- Enderts Beach
- High Bluff Beach
- Tolowa Dunes State Park
- Pelican State Beaches
MORE INFO: Crescent City Chamber of Commerce, 800-343-8300, VisitDelNorteCounty.com
Hiouchi & Gasquet
photo by Steve Hammons
The tiny hamlets of Hiouchi & Gasquet are located on Hwy 199 near Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. They provide restaurants, lodging, RV sites, propane, supplies and ample outdoor recreation, as well as several public river access points. This area of Hwy 199 is home to the Smith River National Recreation Area, acclaimed as the cleanest watershed in the 48 contiguous United States. The road itself is a perfect example of a rural byway. Serving as the connection between California’s Crescent City at Coastal Hwy 101 and Oregon’s Grants Pass where it connects to I-5, Hwy 199 is a diverse adventure unto itself. No road on the West Coast can match it; it offers access to three wilderness areas, three Wild and Scenic rivers, Redwood National and State Parks, Oregon Caves National Monument and Smith River National Recreation Area.
These are some of the most botanically and geologically diverse landscapes in the nation, as well as some of the most pristine and beautiful.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, immediately adjacent to Hiouchi, preserves a magnificent old-growth redwood forest and an untouched section of the Smith River. A trail through the Stout Grove section of the park (see next page) was featured in a San Francisco Chronicle article on the “Ten Great Hikes in California.”
Activities in the Area
The area is filled with scenic vistas and opportunities for swimming, salmon and steelhead fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, wildlife viewing, photography, camping, hiking and gazing in awe-struck wonder. Also very popular are relaxing and taking it easy.
MORE INFO:
Six Rivers National Forest, 707-442-1721, www.fs.usda.gov/srnf;
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, 707-465-7335, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413
The Wild & Scenic Smith River
The Smith River waterway is the northernmost of California’s major rivers. Its mouth is about 5 miles south of the Oregon border and 10 miles north of Crescent City. It is the largest free-flowing river in the state, producing the largest steelhead and Chinook salmon. The untamed nature of this river, without a single dam along its entire length, makes it especially prized among conservationists; it is considered one of the crown jewels of the National Wild and Scenic River program. The river flows through some of the most beautiful scenery in California, from Six Rivers National Forest through Jedediah State Park and out to the Pacific Ocean.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods
State Park & Stout Grove
In a region where scenic attractions are difficult to describe without an excess of superlatives, Jed Smith State Park pulls out all the stops. One of the crown jewels of the California state park system, it protects many acres of old-growth coastal redwoods along with the Smith River, the last major free-flowing river in California. Most of the park is watershed for this untamed river and Mill Creek, a major tributary.
The park is perhaps best known for Stout Grove, with some of the most intense old-growth redwood habitat in the world. Scenes for the 1983 Star Wars film “Return of the Jedi” were filmed in this grove. Located on a flood plain between the Smith River and Mill Creek, periodic flooding prevents the growth of an understory of tanoak, madrone, red alder and other small trees that obscure the view in other stands of redwood. As a result, you can see the trees here better than in perhaps any other redwood grove in the world. With coast redwoods towering more than 300 feet overhead and sword ferns as tall as a man, you might think you’ve been transported to a fairyland. There is a flat, wide, loop trail through the grove, about 0.6 miles long. It’s an easy but spectacular walk. The grove is almost never crowded, because it’s a little out of the way.
Altogether, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has 20 miles of hiking and nature trails that are excellent for exploring, along with many places to access the river for kayaking, swimming or fishing. There are also splendid campgrounds available for those who would like to spend the night. There are no parking or entrance fees for day use
WHERE: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is 9 miles east of Crescent City on Hwy 199 near Hiouchi.
MORE INFO: 707-465-7335, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413
Smith River
Thirteen miles south of the Oregon border lies the quaint community of Smith River. Adjacent to Rowdy Creek near where the Smith River meets the Pacific Ocean, the area is known as the “Easter Lily Capital of the World” because it produces most of the world’s Easter lily bulbs that flower every spring. The Redwood National Park, Smith River National Recreation Area, and 10 State Parks are within 20 miles of Smith River, making it a great place to explore and plan an adventure.
Activities in the Area
- Ziplining
- Hiking, biking, camping
- Beachcombing, tidepooling
- Fishing, rafting, kayaking
- Visiting Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery
- Ruby Van Deventer County Park, 707-464-7230
Lucky 7 Casino
The Friendliest Casino on America’s Wild Rivers Coast with the largest Nonsmoking Room in the area! The Lucky 7 Casino is located right on Hwy 101 in Smith River, California, just 20 minutes north of Crescent City and 10 minutes south of Brookings. You can play the Slots 24 hours a day on their 330 new and traditional Slot Machines with Video Poker and Keno machines. Other gaming includes Blackjack, Poker and Bingo – check with the Player’s Club for times. Sign up for a Player’s Club membership to receive special offers and extra benefits throughout the property. The Casino has promotions year round including Large Cash, and Car or Truck giveaways. Lucky 7 Casino also includes the House of Howonquet Restaurant, Club 7 Sports Bar, Gift Shop, and Fuel Mart. Enjoy a drink in the Sports Bar and watch a game on one of the seven TVs, two with 80″ screens. Don’t forget to fill up at the Fuel Mart with the lowest gas prices on the coast.
WHERE: On Hwy 101, 3 miles south of the Oregon state line.
MORE INFO: 707-487-7777, Lucky7Casino.com