LIVE UPDATES: Tsunami warnings, watches, advisories were given to 1/4 of the Earth after 8.8 quake

Tsunami activity continued to build in northern California as high tide approached Wednesday morning with maximum confirmed heights along the coast of 3.6 feet in Crescent City, 3.0 feet in Arena Cove and 1.2 feet in Humboldt Bay, according to the National Weather Service office in Eureka.

The measurements in Crescent City and Arena Cove were high enough to create minor coastal flooding and inundation, the weather service said on social media, adding that tsunami activity will persist and people should avoid beaches and harbors.

Crescent City officials warned on social media that higher surges could arrive around high tide and could affect lower-lying areas.

Hawaii and parts of Japan downgraded tsunami warnings, with Hawaii lifting evacuation orders across the state while leaving a tsunami advisory in place.

Officials in Hawaii said residents who had evacuated could return to their homes.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, the Adjutant General of the State of Hawaii Department of Defense, said an advisory means there is the potential for strong currents and dangerous waves, as well as flooding on beaches or in harbors.

The city of Berkeley is advising residents with boats to secure them Tuesday night due to the tsunami advisory affecting the California coast.

The tsunami surge is expected to arrive in San Francisco Bay at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday morning, the city said. The surge is expected to be less than 1 foot tall, but could create strong waves and currents at the Berkeley Marina.

According to the city, California has monitored this specific tsunami and has assigned Berkeley a "Phase 1," meaning that the state does not recommend evacuation of boats and docks for this event.

For people who live on their boat, the DoubleTree Hotel is offering rooms to berthers at a discounted rate of $75, the city said.

The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a Tsunami Advisory for the California Coast on Tuesday evening, including coastal areas spanning from Mendocino to Monterey counties, after an 8.8 magnitude quake struck off the coast of Russian's Kamchatka Peninsula.

An evacuation warning has been issued in Monterey County to all persons living aboard vessels in the Moss Landing area and the Monterey Harbor slips and mooring areas, including Breakwater Cove, Coast Guard Pier, and adjacent areas.

Tsunami waves reached the Monterey County coastline early Wednesday morning.

The Sheriff's Office said individuals should seek other lodging arrangements for the duration of the tsunami advisory for California Coastal counties.

The evacuation warnings are for people in zones MRY-B040, MRY-B050, MNT-A032-B, and MNT-A026-B.

Residents and visitors are advised to remain out of the water and away from beaches and harbors until local officials declare it safe to return.

According to the Monterey Police Department, hotels along the coast and wharves were notified to make sure their guests remain off beaches and away from the coastline. Given the distance away from the initial earthquake that triggered the tsunami, experts expect stronger-than-normal wave action that can also cause rip tides.