Smith River, Census-designated place in Del Norte County, California
Smith River is a small community in the far northwestern corner of California, positioned close to both the Pacific coast and the Klamath Mountains. The area sits near the mouth of the river that shares its name, where fresh water meets the sea just south of the Oregon border.
The Tolowa people lived along this river for centuries, relying on its salmon runs and the coastal resources for their way of life. European settlers arrived in the mid-1800s and gradually turned the surrounding land into farms, reshaping the area over the following decades.
The area around Smith River is widely known as the Easter Lily Capital of the World, a title that reflects how much of the surrounding land is given over to flower bulb farming. In spring, the fields turn white with blooms and give the whole area a look that is hard to find anywhere else in the country.
The area is easiest to reach by car, as public transport in this part of northern California is very limited. Visiting in spring gives you the chance to see the lily fields in bloom, while fall and winter draw fishing enthusiasts to the river.
The Smith River is one of the last major undammed rivers in California, which is why its water runs so clear and its fish populations remain healthy. This makes it one of the few spots in the state where wild salmon and steelhead can still be caught in significant numbers.
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