California Coastal Access Guide, Seventh Edition. California Coastal Commission
PELICAN STATE BEACH: W. of Hwy. 101, .5 mi. S. of the Oregon border. Wide beach with abundant driftwood. From Hwy. 101, turn west on White Rock Loop; park on gravel road shoulder.
▪ Beachcombing
▪ Surf fishing
CLIFFORD KAMPH MEMORIAL PARK: W. of Hwy. 101, 2 mi. S. of the Oregon border. On a bluff overlooking the beach are a dozen campsites for tents only. Running water, picnic tables, barbecue grills, camp host. No fee for day use. Call: 707-464-7230.
SMITH RIVER COUNTY PARK: End, Mouth of Smith River Rd., Smith River. Stairs to a sand and pebble beach; on-street parking. The clear waters of the Smith River support many fish species, including coho and king salmon and steelhead trout.
▪ Expansive views upstream and out to sea
SMITH RIVER BOATING ACCESS: Fred Haight Dr. W. of Hwy. 101, 3 mi. S. of town of Smith River. Paved boat ramp, located between private residences, offers access to the lower reach of the Smith River.
KELLOGG BEACH: W. end of Kellogg Rd., 9 mi. S. of Smith River. A broad sandy ocean beach backed by grass-covered dunes. Street-legal vehicles allowed north of Kellogg Rd., on waveslope only; no vehicles allowed in dunes.
LAKE EARL WILDLIFE AREA/TOLOWA DUNES STATE PARK: W. of Lake Earl Dr. and Lower Lake Rd., 2 mi. N. of Crescent City. The wildlife area/state park complex includes over 10,000 acres. The Department of Fish and Wildlife center at 2591 Old Mill Rd., off Northcrest Dr., has trail maps and posted information. For Lake Earl Wildlife Area information, call: 707-445-6493. For information on Tolowa Dunes State Park, call Redwood National and State Parks visitor center: 707-465-7306. Leashed dogs are allowed on Cadra Point Loop Rd. only.
▪ Cadra Loop Trail, four miles long, starts at the Fish and Wildlife center and overlooks Lake Earl
▪ Trails to ocean beach start at end of Sand Hill Rd., off Old Mill Road
▪ Access to Lake Earl west of Teal Point via Kellogg Road
▪ Launch site for shallow-draft boats at the end of Lakeview Dr., off Lake Earl Drive
▪ Redwood Parks Association leads summertime field trips and guided hikes; call: 707-465-6191
POINT ST. GEORGE HERITAGE AREA: End of Radio Road. At the end of Radio Rd., which is the northerly extension of Pebble Beach Dr., a gravel trail leads north one-quarter mile to the shoreline. Low tide exposes a rocky reef. Other short paths lead from Radio Rd. across the bluff to the shore. Sensitive archaeological area; be respectful of the resources. For information, call Del Norte County Parks and Recreation: 707-464-7230.
Del Norte County
Smith River Area
RUBY VAN DEVENTER COUNTY PARK: North Bank Rd. (Hwy. 197), 2.5 mi. E. of Hwy. 101. Campground with 18 sites set in a redwood forest next to the Smith River. Restrooms and running water; fee for camping. Call: 707-464-7230.
▪ Swimming
▪ Kayaking
▪ Fishing
FLORENCE KELLER COUNTY PARK: Cunningham Ln., off Elk Valley Cross Rd. W. of Hwy. 101, 3 mi. N. of Crescent City. Campground has 50 campsites and accommodates tents and RVs up to 32 feet; running water available. Group picnic sites also available. Easy walking trails, one wheelchair accessible. Call: 707-464-7230.
JEDEDIAH SMITH REDWOODS STATE PARK: Hwy. 199, 5 mi. E. of Hwy. 101. The park encompasses some 10,000 acres, with six miles of Smith River frontage. In summer, daytime temperatures are often considerably warmer than at the nearby coast.
Redwood National and State Parks visitor center is opposite the campground entrance on Hwy. 199. A smaller visitor center is within the campground. Picnic areas overlook the river and a pebbly beach. Some park facilities are wheelchair accessible, including picnic areas, some campsites, the visitor center, and campfire center. Leashed dogs OK in the campground and picnic area. For park information, call: 707-465-7335.
Campground has 89 sites; hot showers available. Some campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs up to 36 feet; no hookups. To reserve campsites, call: 1-800-444-7275. Primitive campsites for hike-in, bike-in, or equestrian use are outside park boundaries along Little Bald Hills Trail.
▪ Hiking
▪ Self-guided nature trail starts near the campground
▪ Stout Grove, with old-growth redwood trees up to 340 feet in height, located one-half mile by trail from gravel Howland Hill Road
SMITH RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA: Hwy. 199, 14 mi. E. of Hwy. 101. Adjoining Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park on the east is Smith River National Recreation Area with river frontage and over 65 miles of trails. Fee for camping. Dogs must be leashed within developed recreation areas. For the visitor center and ranger station, call: 707-457-3131.
▪ River rafting
▪ Mountain biking
▪ Hiking
▪ Myrtle Creek Trail starts at Hwy. 199 one mile east of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park boundary
▪ Campgrounds at Big Flat, Grassy Flat, Panther Flat, and Patrick Creek; for reservable sites, call: 877-444-6777
Del Norte County
Crescent City
GARTH’S BEACH: Radio Rd., .3 mi. N.W. of Washington Blvd./Pebble Beach Dr. intersection. A sloping path leads from roadside parking to a curving sandy beach. Additional parking pull-outs with beach access located south of Washington Boulevard. Beach is sheltered by Point St. George and Castle Rock.
▪ Rocky shore at north end
PEBBLE BEACH ACCESS: Pebble Beach Dr. near Pacific Ave., Crescent City. Along Pebble Beach Dr. are several pull-outs with picnic tables and stairways to the beach. The Crescent City Coastal Trail runs along the shoreline, from Point St. George to Crescent City Harbor. Castle Rock, located due west, is a national wildlife refuge and the second largest seabird colony off the California coast.
PRESTON ISLAND: Pebble Beach Dr. and Condor St., Crescent City. More of a rocky spit than an island; accessible via a paved road down the bluff face.
▪ Beachcombing
▪ Tidepool exploring
▪ Fishing
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