Crescent City: Hidden Gem
I recently had the pleasure of Headlining at the Elk Valley Casino in Crescent City, California. It was a 7-hour drive from where I live, and I was only there for one day, but every minute was worth it.
I traveled with my feature act, Roman Guzman, and I have to say, Roman is an excellent road dog. We left at 5 a.m. and arrived at noon, laughing and quoting movie lines the whole way. It’s not easy being on the road with someone for 7 hours, but our chemistry worked perfectly. Roman was in awe of the beautiful drive through the redwoods, seeing elk, hawks, and, of course, miles and miles of ocean. The sun glimmered off the water, and it felt like we were driving through a movie set. Crescent City is a small fishing town with a population of 6,000. It’s the kind of coastal town you’d see in family fun movies like The Goonies. The charm was palpable, and I was immediately taken by its beauty.
After checking in at the Lighthouse Inn, a small but beautiful hotel with lighthouse memorabilia and murals depicting the ocean and fishermen, it was time to eat. After 7 hours of driving, we were starving, and a longtime friend and comedian, Drake Nelson, who lives in Crescent City, recommended a place that changed our lives—Fisherman’s Restaurant. The restaurant had so much personality. As soon as we walked in, it felt like home. We weren’t treated like customers, but like family.
Our waitress, Kelsey, greeted us with warmth and enthusiasm. She recommended the Oyster Burger, and boy, did it live up to the hype. This massive, deep-fried oyster burger was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. After we finished, Roman mentioned that we were the comedians performing at the Elk Valley Casino that night. Kelsey’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, she and her wife Tess, the chef, said they would be there to see the show. It’s moments like this that remind you why the road can be so rewarding.
We made our way to the Elk Valley Casino, and there, I met up with Drake Nelson, a comedian and booker I hadn’t seen in almost two years. He welcomed us with open arms and even showed us an AI image that he made of me as Macho Man Randy Savage—ooh yeah! It’s always nice when people know your love for wrestling.
The show was something else. There was no walk-up music to hype the crowd, but Drake did an excellent job getting the audience primed and ready. Roman was on stage doing his thing, and as I was backstage, I noticed the crowd wasn’t heckling him but instead yelling out things in support. It was a different kind of energy, and I realized they were just a bunch of "nice a-holes." I said that to Drake, and he agreed. That was Crescent City in a nutshell.
After Roman’s great set, it was my turn. I took the stage and, right off the bat, I connected with the crowd by calling them "nice a-holes," and it worked! For the next hour and 15 minutes, I was on fire. The audience was with me the entire time. I forgot half of my act because I was so immersed in the moment. It was one of those nights where everything clicked, and I’ll never forget it. We all shared that hour and 15 minutes together, and it was truly special.
After the show, Roman and I weren’t ready to call it a night. We had just traveled all this way, and the last thing we wanted to do was go back to the hotel room. As we hung out, people came up to us thanking us for the show, and a couple named John and Cynthia invited us to their bar, Port O Pints. They told us drinks were on them, and we gladly accepted. It turned out to be an amazing place—much better than your typical harbor bar. The bar had top-notch pool tables, darts, axe throwing, and, most importantly, great company. We sat, talked shop, and got to know this incredible town. It’s not every day that you connect with a town like that.
Oh, and did I mention that all of this happened in one night? That’s right. In just a few short hours, we had seen the sights, made new friends, and created memories that will last a lifetime. But wait, there’s more! Tess and Kelsey invited us to come by for breakfast the next morning, and let me tell you, it was a breakfast to remember. Rib-eye steak, eggs, veggies—you name it. It was an unbelievable meal that we’ll never forget.
A special mention goes out to Robb Smith, a younger comedian Drake has taken under his wing. We met Robb at Port O Pints, and not only was he a gentleman, but this young buck has some serious potential. It’s rare to meet someone so eager to learn and so curious about comedy. I have no doubt that Robb is going to go far.
Thank you, Crescent City, for everything. Thank you to the Elk Valley Casino, Fisherman’s Restaurant, Port O Pints, and, of course, Drake Nelson for making this experience unforgettable. Roman and I are beyond grateful for the hospitality. If you ever get the chance to drive the 7-hour stretch along the coast, I highly recommend staying in Crescent City. It truly is a hidden gem.
