Crescent City California

Crescent City California on the fourth of July is one of the best places on earth.  Crescent City is located in northern California on the coast a few miles from the Oregon border.  It is located in the beautiful redwoods (the tallest trees in the world) and is a small town filled with great people. We camp there every year for the fourth of July and it is such a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life. There are plenty of camping spots or you can stay in a hotel or motel. There is great dining and plenty of attractions as well. Trees of Mystery is a few miles away, home of the famous Paul Bunyan and his blue ox babe.  Undersea world is located in crescent city on the wharf and for a small fee you can take a tour, pet live sharks, starfish and sea urchins and watch a seal and sea lion show.  Down on Front Street there is a wildlife sanctuary where you can see baby seals and sea lions that are recovering and waiting to be released back into the wild. On Front Street there is a great indoor pool, it is called the Fred Meyer pool. They have a heated pool and a waterslide. About a half a mile down the road is a beautiful lighthouse that you can get to when the tide is low and you can go inside to explore. Everywhere you look there are sea urchins and starfish to pick up and play with and large ground squirrels who have decided showing off for humans is a quick way to get fed. They will actually climb in your lap and eat the food you give them.  The air is clean and the streets are not crowded. The people are friendly and welcome you with open arms.  On the fourth of July they have a great parade and the entire town gets involved, I know because growing up I was in it every year.  They parade through the streets for over an hour throwing out candy to all the kids and then everyone goes down to Front Street for the festivities. They have live bands, great food, face painting, helicopter rides over the Pacific Ocean and lots of dancing. It is just a great family event and a wonderful break from the busy southern California lifestyle.