The Lake Tolowa State Wildlife Area in Crescent City, CA is stunning in it's beauty. The mix of colors, the abundance of wildlife and the nonexistence of anyone else the entire time we were there, made this the perfect place for Jack's (our new puppy)first visit to the ocean.

I have lived in Del Norte County almost 20 years and although I've been to the Kellogg Beach area many, many times, I have never been to this location where Lake Tolowa breaches itself into the ocean.

Over Christmas vacation, Del Norte County had some major storms and Lake Earl and Lake Tolowa filled up very fast. This caused the lake to go above the 10 foot level and when this happens, it breaches itself into the ocean.

Lake Tolowa and Lake Earl are major fly over lakes for geese, ducks and other birds. 

It is the largest wetland on the Pacific Coast outside of Alaska.

I'm sorry to say this for those of you living back east in zero degree whether, but today it had to be at least 70 degrees with a slight breeze. 

My husband and I both ended up taking off our sweatshirts.

We did not see one other person while we were on this hike.

My husband brought a friend here on Friday.  He's been visiting Del Norte County for many years and has lived her for almost 2 and he never knew this area existed. 

I would call the Lake Tolowa area one of Del Norte County's best kept secrets and best places to take a walk. 

Lake Earl is a designated wildlife refuge. Today we saw:

• Raptors: Falcon, Red Tail Hawk (huge)
• Sandpiper
• Wood ducks
• Canvas backs
• Sea lions
• Great blue herrons
• Aleutian geese
• Biggest Ravens we have ever seen
• Squirrels
• and thousands of birds we couldn't identify (the Lake Earl and Tolowa area have over 300 identified species) 

Incorporated into the State Park is the Pacific Shores subdivision, a debacle of gigantic proportions. The privately owned parcels are slowly being purchased up by California Department of Fish and Game.

Pacific Shores is a 1,535-lot subdivision located next to Lake Earl and Lake Tolowa.The Pacific Shores subdivision consists largely of sensitive dune and wetland habitat, which was subdivided in the 1960's into approximately half-acre lots and sold to individual lot owners. However, because of the sensitive habitat, natural hazards, water quality concerns, and difficulty in siting development and infrastructure such as sewage and water systems, the Coastal Commission has not certified the subdivision, and it remains undeveloped.

I am happy to see the Lake Tolowa area being protected for nature lovers to enjoy for many generations to come.  It is indeed a hidden gem of Del Norte County.

I would love to assist you in your relocation to one of the most beautiful places to live in California, maybe the world.

For information on purchasing a home in Del Norte County, please give me a call. 

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I am here to assist you with your real estate needs!

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