Del Norte County is the northwesternmost county in California located on the Pacific coast south of Oregon. The county seat is Crescent City, the county's only incorporated city. The County is noted for its redwood forests and the wild Smith River National Recreation Area. Del Norte County was founded in 1857 and the name signifies "the north" and derived its name from its geographical position in the extreme northwest corner of the state. The county has a total area of 1,230 mi², 82% of it is land and 18% of it is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 27,507 people, 9,170 households, and 6,290 families residing in the county.