Located in Del Norte County, California, Crescent City gets its name from the crescent-shaped sandy beaches south of the city. The moderate-sized city is the site of the Redwood National Park headquarters as well as multiple ports where many commercial vessels fishing the fertile Pacific Coast waters make their home port.
The Yurok and Tolowa Native Americans are among the original inhabitants of the area that still have many people who live in the area today. The area was first explored by European expeditions led by Jedediah Smith at the beginning of the 19th century. He was known as the first European to reach the area on foot as he traveled over the land. Upon discovery, he referred to the area as "Land's End," since a void in knowledge about the world past the Pacific existed. One of the first buildings in the area, Batter Point still remains today as the oldest historic landmark in the area.
The city is known as the home of many historic ships including the 113-ton schooner to which the city received its namesake. Other famous ships that made Crescent City their port include a steamer known as Brother Jonathon and the SS Emidio, a tanker for the General Petroleum Company (later Mobil Oil), which became infamous as the first ship casualty of World War II.
The city is now known as a popular tourist destination where visitors come from all over to enjoy the beautiful beaches and hike among the enormous Redwoods in the Redwood National Park.
What time of year is best to visit Crescent City, CA?
Crescent City, California, is known for its temperate weather throughout the year. When it comes to temperature, humidity, and sunshine, mid-June through mid-October is the best time of year to make your visit to the area. This period is the best time of year to take advantage of the beaches and water activity. Unfortunately, this time of year is also considerably more crowded, and accommodations can be harder to find and more expensive.
If you want to still enjoy the sunshine, but you can tolerate somewhat cooler temperatures, you can save some money on accommodations by traveling to the area in late fall. The temperatures are still pleasant, and fall can be the ideal time of year for tourists who want to enjoy the Redwood National Park. A higher chance of precipitation can occur at this time of year, but the probability of precipitation is still lower than many other popular visitor destinations in the United States.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Crescent City, CA:
Crescent City by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean nightly cost trends by star rating class in Crescent City, CA. You can use these illustrations to determine the least expensive time period to stay in Crescent City for upcoming travels.
What are the Crescent City, CA luxury hotels?
If your budget is a little greater and you enjoy staying at hotels that provide a range of accommodations and comfortable room features, you may want to consider one of the more luxury-style hotels in and around the Crescent City area. The Coastal Inn & Suites at 665 L Street, which is close to the downtown area, offers rooms to complete your upscale trip. Rooms include flat-screen televisions with complimentary cable programming, complimentary internet access, and pillowtop beds with premium bedding.
The hotel is close to many stops in the area including Del Norte County Historical Society and Ocean World. The hotel includes multiple amenities to help you improve your stay such as an indoor pool with spa tub, complimentary daily newspapers, and a common area with television and fireplace.
Located on Highway 101 South, The Lighthouse Inn is another hotel in the area that offers more upscale accommodations. The hotel is within a few miles of the Battery Point Lighthouse Museum, Hiouchi Hamlet RV Park, Trees of Mystery, and Crescent Harbor. You will enjoy comfortable accommodations and appealing amenities during your stay including a flat-screen television with cable programming, complimentary internet, and coffee and tea makers. You'll enjoy a host of other amenities such as free breakfast, laundry facilities, free parking, and a business center.
What options are in Crescent City, CA for the most affordable hotels?
3 Star Average Prices: $114.00
Sometimes your budget may dictate what accommodations you can book for your trip. Luckily, you'll find plenty of budget hotels in Crescent City and the surrounding area that offer the amenities you want for your vacation at a budget you can afford. Located on M Street, the Pacific Inn is one hotel in the area that can accommodate any size of budget. The hotel is a short distance from Battery Point Lighthouse Museum and downtown Brookings, and it is only a 10-minute drive to Redwood National and State parks. Rooms at the hotel are equipped with flat-screen televisions and complimentary internet access. You can also enjoy free parking, and pets are welcome at the hotel for a small fee.
The Super 8 by Wyndham Crescent City, located on 685 U.S. Highway 101 South, also offers comfortable accommodations at a reasonable price. The two-star property features rooms with refrigerators, microwaves, and cable programming. During your stay, you can enjoy amenities such as free Wi-Fi, complimentary daily breakfast, and luggage storage. The hotel is a short drive from the airport and other area attractions such as Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
2 Star Average Prices: $101.40
What are the best hotels in Crescent City, CA that offer discounts?
If you want to maximize your budget during your trip to the Crescent City area, you will want to make sure that you take advantage of the many discounts that some of the hotels offer. If you are a government employee or retired or active military member, you can enjoy a discount off of your nightly stay at the OceanView Inn on Highway 101 South. Rooms at the hotel include microwaves, refrigerators, flat-screen televisions, cable programming, and ironing boards.
Additional amenities at the hotel include a computer station, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and complimentary parking. During your stay, you will be close to Beachfront Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and Ocean World.
Military and government employees will also enjoy a discounted stay at the Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn, located close to the downtown area. The hotel is close to shopping and dining in downtown Brookings, Crescent Beach, and Redwood National and State parks. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with everything you will need for your stay including refrigerators, microwaves, cable programming, safes, and desks. Amenities that will help complete your stay including an indoor pool, a spa tub, fitness facilities, a sauna, an on-site restaurant, and an on-site barbecue area.
Where are the best budget hotels around Crescent City, CA?
Many of the best hotels in Crescent City offer a mix of value, locations, comfortable rooms, and amenities. The Anchor Beach Inn is a hotel located only a short distance from the city center. This hotel is a short drive from Crescent Harbor, Trees of Mystery, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Amenities that you can enjoy during your vacation include an electric charging station, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and a spa tub. Rooms at the hotel are equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, cable programming, hair dryers, and desks.
Only a short drive away, the Holiday Inn Express Klamath - Redwood National Park Area is another great hotel. Amenities at the hotel can provide everything that you need to make your stay more comfortable. You'll find an indoor pool, fitness facilities, an on-site casino, a business center, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary breakfast. You will enjoy rooms with refrigerators, microwaves, coffee and tea makers, and cable programming. During your stay, you will be close to both the downtown areas of Crescent City and Klamath as well as the harbor and Redwood National and State parks.
What are the things to see and do in Crescent City, CA?
Since the Crescent City area is known as a popular visitor destination throughout most of the year, visitors won't find a shortage of things to see and do. The Redwood National and State parks are some of the largest attractions in the area. Here you can see the majestic Redwoods that have been in the area since European settlers first discovered the land.
The white sandy beaches of Crescent Beach are another significant attraction in the area. The beach itself makes an ideal destination to enjoy some laid-back relaxing days soaking up some sunshine, enjoying some water activities, or watching the commercial fishing boats come into port. Additionally, the Battery Point Lighthouse and Museum is another popular attraction.
If you are traveling with the family, Ocean World is a must-visit stop to add to your itinerary. The attraction is a converted barge that contains a sea life environment complete with a host of sea life including sharks, sea lions, rays, and seals. Visitors can enjoy interactive tide pools and shark petting activities as well.
Whether you are planning a fun-filled family trip to the city of Crescent City or looking for a relaxing beach getaway for two, you can find something for everyone in and around the Crescent City area. The city has accommodations for budgets both large and small, which can allow you to create the trip you have always dreamed about.
FAQs about hotels in Crescent City
How much does a cheap hotel in Crescent City cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in Crescent City can be as cheap as $101.40 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in Crescent City cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in Crescent City has been $114.00 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
Verified reviews of the city of Crescent City
Below are reviews of the city of Crescent City, CA from an actual visitor's perspective.
"View of Lighthouse!"
Score
4.0 / 5
City is nice especially the view of the lighthouse and the drive overlooking the ocean. It shouldn't be missed.
Sigrun D., from 23-Mar-2024
"Clean, quiet, spacious rooms."
Score
4.0 / 5
Clean, quiet, spacious rooms.
Robert H., from 04-Jan-2024
"The Ocean & Seafood!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The ocean! The Chart Room has the best clam chowder and the fish and chips are very good!
Linda N., from 11-Dec-2023
"Seafood!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The seafood!
Anamarie V., from 14-Nov-2023
"Good Restaurants & Clean"
Score
4.0 / 5
Good restaurants, nice setting, clean.
Dan A., from 23-Oct-2023
"On the Ocean!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Love that Crescent City is on the ocean.
Eileen C., from 07-Oct-2023
"Great Beaches & The Redwoods"
Score
4.0 / 5
Great beaches, surrounded by water, and close to the redwoods.
John K., from 06-Jun-2023
"Great location to many wonderful sites!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Crescent City is located in a great location from which to see so many wonderful sites along the North Coast of California and Oregon.
Wright L., from 22-May-2023
"Close to attractions, food and the aquarium right next door."
Score
5.0 / 5
Close to attractions, food and the aquarium right next door.
Henry C., from 16-May-2023
"Near Ocean World"
Score
5.0 / 5
We love Crescent City and we love coming to visit the ocean. A small town and very quiet yet it has everything you need: stores, gas stations, good restaurants. Our children just love playing on the beaches and we love the hotel's swimming pool. We went to Ocean World and we had a wonderful wonderful time.
Susane A., from 17-Apr-2023
"Ocean World"
Score
5.0 / 5
Proximity to Ocean World.
Sandra T., from 28-Mar-2023
"Beautiful Beach, Safe Area, Great Restaurants"
Score
4.0 / 5
The beach is beautiful. Seemed like a clean and safe city. We always worry about vehicle break ins while traveling but didn't seem like an area of concern for high crime. Didn't see any signs of homeless or sketchy people walking around and wasn't a bunch of trash on the streets. The restaurants we ate at were great!
Bailey G., from 30-Jan-2023
"Awesome!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Love Crescent City. It's my home town. The lighthouse is awesome.
Linda W., from 18-Dec-2022
"Nice Aquarium"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cute, quaint town. The Aquarium was very nice too.
Debera W., from 23-Aug-2022
"Beach!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Beach and restaurants!
Gary C., from 29-Jul-2022
"Beautiful Beaches"
Score
4.0 / 5
Beautiful beaches!
Andrea T., from 17-Jul-2022
"I enjoyed my stay there."
Score
5.0 / 5
I enjoyed my stay there.
Martha C., from 25-Jun-2022
"Redwoods, Ocean, Beach & Seals!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The closest you get to nature (Redwoods/Ocean/Beach/Seals) and NO TRAFFIC !!🤣
Edgar S., from 16-Apr-2022
"Great Nearby Restaurants!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Sea Quake Brewery for dinner at the marina and Sally's by the Sea drive through bakery. Made to order breakfast is only available until 11 am but pastries, salads and some items available all day
Lynne O., from 18-Feb-2022
"So many things to enjoy."
Score
5.0 / 5
Oh so may things to do. Point Teyes Lighthouse Tour, the shops, Ocean World, beautiful hiking a few short miles out of town!! So many things to enjoy.
Dennise R., from 13-Feb-2022
"Great location, sunrises, food and sea lions near hotel!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The location of the motel was right next to a small beach and Whaler Island. The sunrise was amazing! Also, watching the boats go out fishing in the morning was nice. There are many sea lions that stay very close to the parking lot next to the Chart Room; this restaurant served good seafood.
Jeff W., from 20-Dec-2021
The average traveler rating of the city of Crescent City, CA shown above is
4.5 out of 5 based on 21 reviews