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Crystal Cove State Park’s rolling surf, wide sandy beaches, tide pools, gently sloping hills, and deeply wooded canyons and ridges provide a delightful contrast to its urban surroundings. Located off busy Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove is one of Orange County’s largest remaining examples of open space and natural seashore.
The Crystal Cove Historic District is a 12.3-acre coastal portion of the 2,791-acre Crystal Cove State Park. The federally listed Historic District is an enclave of 46 vintage rustic coastal cottages originally built in the 1920s and 1930s nestled around the mouth of Los Trancos Creek. It is one of the last remaining examples of early 20th century Southern California coastal development.
Also available in the Historic District is the Beachcomber Café, a restored beachfront cottage, offering a relaxed dining atmosphere with spectacular ocean views and a quality menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The park features three miles of Pacific coastline, plus wooded canyons, open bluffs, and offshore waters designated as an underwater park. Crystal Cove is not just used by people who enjoy water related activities, such as swimming, surfing, sunbathing, scuba and skin diving, but also people who like to fish, mountain bike and hike.
The great expanse upland, north and east of the Pacific Coast Highway is for hikers, who can follow hillside and canyon trails to campsites that allow visitors to feel they are "away from it all," despite being near one of the greatest population centers in the United States.
California State Park Foundation member discounts are available for this park. If you are a member, sign in to see the discount here.
Camping & Cottages
Primitive Camping:
There is a fairly strenuous 3-mile, uphill hike to three separate camping areas. Campers must pack in and out all of their supplies, including water.
Some things to know:
-A picnic table and a pit toilet are available.
-The nearest telephone is in the El Moro Parking lot.
-All sites are accessible only by foot. All vehicles must be left at the park office.
-No Pets Allowed.
-No drinking water available, must pack it in.
-No trash cans available - pack it in, pack it out.
-Fires restricted to backpack stoves.
-Park is reservable year-round.
Make Campground Reservations
Cottages:
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages are located on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. When driving south on Pacific Coast Highway from Corona del Mar and points north, the entrance to the Historic District of Crystal Cove State Park is located at the Los Trancos cross street, the first traffic light after Crystal Heights Drive.
Cottages available for overnight rental include studios, one- and two-bedroom houses, and hostel-style dormitories. Prices for overnight rentals have been kept as low as possible to provide this fabulous beach experience to as many Californians as possible.
The cottages opened for overnight lodging beginning June 26, 2006. Reservations for stays up to seven months in advance will be taken through the California State Parks reservations contractor, Reserve America.
Reserve a Cottage
CSPF member camping discount is not accepted at the cottages in Crystal Cove State Park.
Primitive Camping:
There is a fairly strenuous 3-mile, uphill hike to three separate camping areas. Campers must pack in and out all of their supplies, including water.
Some things to know:
-A picnic table and a pit toilet are available.
-The nearest telephone is in the El Moro Parking lot.
-All sites are accessible only by foot. All vehicles must be left at the park office.
-No Pets Allowed.
-No drinking water available, must pack it in.
-No trash cans available - pack it in, pack it out.
-Fires restricted to backpack stoves.
-Park is reservable year-round.
Make Campground Reservations
Cottages:
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages are located on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. When driving south on Pacific Coast Highway from Corona del Mar and points north, the entrance to the Historic District of Crystal Cove State Park is located at the Los Trancos cross street, the first traffic light after Crystal Heights Drive.
Cottages available for overnight rental include studios, one- and two-bedroom houses, and hostel-style dormitories. Prices for overnight rentals have been kept as low as possible to provide this fabulous beach experience to as many Californians as possible.
The cottages opened for overnight lodging beginning June 26, 2006. Reservations for stays up to seven months in advance will be taken through the California State Parks reservations contractor, Reserve America.
Reserve a Cottage
CSPF member camping discount is not accepted at the cottages in Crystal Cove State Park.
Activities
Backcountry Trails
There is access to 2,400 undeveloped acres from the Moro Canyon parking lot. The trails are open to hiking, biking and equestrian use. Maps are available at the ranger station. No smoking or open flames in the backcountry. No dogs in the backcountry.
Beach Activities
There are seven separate coves along the 3.2 miles of beach, offering spectacular sunbathing, swimming, surfing, diving and tide pool exploring.
Backcountry Trails
There is access to 2,400 undeveloped acres from the Moro Canyon parking lot. The trails are open to hiking, biking and equestrian use. Maps are available at the ranger station. No smoking or open flames in the backcountry. No dogs in the backcountry.
Beach Activities
There are seven separate coves along the 3.2 miles of beach, offering spectacular sunbathing, swimming, surfing, diving and tide pool exploring.
Landscape
Coastal Strand: The sandy beach is 3.2 miles long, bordered by hardy, fleshy-leafed and deep-rooted plants growing low against salt-sprayed dunes. At low tide, tide pools are exposed along the rocky shoreline.
Coastal Bluffs: At high tides the surf laps against the base of 80-foot bluffs. There are two bluff-top public parking areas, Reef Point and Pelican Point, that offer access to the beach.
Flora
The park has several distinct plant communities - specific habitats with conditions that favor some types of plants and animals over others.
Coastal Sage Scrub: Widespread throughout the park, this dense shrub community occurs across the coastal terrace, along the sides of lower Moro Canyon, and extensively in upper Moro Canyon, especially on the canyon’s damper north facing reaches. The resinous, highly flammable vegetation regenerates quickly after burning.
Annual Grasses: These introduced grasses grow extensively on the terraces and to a lesser extent in lower Moro Canyon.
Southern Riparian Woodland: Along the small watershed represented by seasonal Moro Creek, sycamore, oak (including a specimen of a hybridized version of oak) and willows occur. Undergrowth includes elderberry shrubs.
Fauna
The wildlife in the intertidal areas of the park includes purple shore crabs, sea hares and sea anemones. At higher levels, including the bluffs and terraces, ground squirrels, cottontail rabbits, western fence lizards, California king snakes, California gnatcatchers, California quail and deer are found. The park’s open space areas offer habitat for deer mice, coyotes, bobcats, roadrunners, gopher snakes, western toads, red-tail hawks, California thrashers, and two species of rattlesnakes.
Coastal Strand: The sandy beach is 3.2 miles long, bordered by hardy, fleshy-leafed and deep-rooted plants growing low against salt-sprayed dunes. At low tide, tide pools are exposed along the rocky shoreline.
Coastal Bluffs: At high tides the surf laps against the base of 80-foot bluffs. There are two bluff-top public parking areas, Reef Point and Pelican Point, that offer access to the beach.
Flora
The park has several distinct plant communities - specific habitats with conditions that favor some types of plants and animals over others.
Coastal Sage Scrub: Widespread throughout the park, this dense shrub community occurs across the coastal terrace, along the sides of lower Moro Canyon, and extensively in upper Moro Canyon, especially on the canyon’s damper north facing reaches. The resinous, highly flammable vegetation regenerates quickly after burning.
Annual Grasses: These introduced grasses grow extensively on the terraces and to a lesser extent in lower Moro Canyon.
Southern Riparian Woodland: Along the small watershed represented by seasonal Moro Creek, sycamore, oak (including a specimen of a hybridized version of oak) and willows occur. Undergrowth includes elderberry shrubs.
Fauna
The wildlife in the intertidal areas of the park includes purple shore crabs, sea hares and sea anemones. At higher levels, including the bluffs and terraces, ground squirrels, cottontail rabbits, western fence lizards, California king snakes, California gnatcatchers, California quail and deer are found. The park’s open space areas offer habitat for deer mice, coyotes, bobcats, roadrunners, gopher snakes, western toads, red-tail hawks, California thrashers, and two species of rattlesnakes.
Accessible Features
Camping
Cottages. Thirteen historic cottages have been rehabilitated for overnight use, and three of the cabins are accessible, including one that is a dorm cabin. To reserve the accessible cabins you must have a DMV disabled person license plate or placard, notice of person to whom plate or placard is assigned, and photo ID showing the person assigned the plate or placard is in the car or cottage.
Picnic Area
El Morro Area. One small picnic area near the restrooms is generally accessible. Parking: Designated accessible parking is available. Restroom: A unisex restroom is generally accessible. Routes of travel to above facilities are generally accessible.
Pelican Point Area. The picnic area at Lot 4 has three accessible tables on a firm and stable surface. Restroom: Two accessible toilet rooms are available. Parking: Two accessible spaces are available. Routes of travel between facilities are generally accessible.
Trails
The Bluff Top Multi-Use Trail is an accessible, paved interpretive trail along the coastal bluffs. Entry, accessible parking and restrooms at Pelican Point or Reef Point day use lots.
Beach/Shore Access
Pelican Point Boardwalk: An 865-foot long boardwalk from Lot 2, near an accessible restroom, leads through a restored botanical area to an ocean overlook. There are some gaps between boards a bit greater than 0.5 inch, but the view is worth the effort. Restoration of beach cottages for multiple public uses will continue to improve access to beach via the historic area.
Exhibits/Programs
The redesigned El Morro Visitor Center packs a lot into a small space. It is open daily during the summer. The structure is on one level and is generally accessible. Restrooms, parking, and routes of travel are generally accessible.
Camping
Cottages. Thirteen historic cottages have been rehabilitated for overnight use, and three of the cabins are accessible, including one that is a dorm cabin. To reserve the accessible cabins you must have a DMV disabled person license plate or placard, notice of person to whom plate or placard is assigned, and photo ID showing the person assigned the plate or placard is in the car or cottage.
Picnic Area
El Morro Area. One small picnic area near the restrooms is generally accessible. Parking: Designated accessible parking is available. Restroom: A unisex restroom is generally accessible. Routes of travel to above facilities are generally accessible.
Pelican Point Area. The picnic area at Lot 4 has three accessible tables on a firm and stable surface. Restroom: Two accessible toilet rooms are available. Parking: Two accessible spaces are available. Routes of travel between facilities are generally accessible.
Trails
The Bluff Top Multi-Use Trail is an accessible, paved interpretive trail along the coastal bluffs. Entry, accessible parking and restrooms at Pelican Point or Reef Point day use lots.
Beach/Shore Access
Pelican Point Boardwalk: An 865-foot long boardwalk from Lot 2, near an accessible restroom, leads through a restored botanical area to an ocean overlook. There are some gaps between boards a bit greater than 0.5 inch, but the view is worth the effort. Restoration of beach cottages for multiple public uses will continue to improve access to beach via the historic area.
Exhibits/Programs
The redesigned El Morro Visitor Center packs a lot into a small space. It is open daily during the summer. The structure is on one level and is generally accessible. Restrooms, parking, and routes of travel are generally accessible.
Getting There
The park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate
The park’s Mediterranean climate is characterized by moist, foggy summer mornings, with the fog burning off by midmorning to bring warm, sunny days and cool evenings.
The park’s Mediterranean climate is characterized by moist, foggy summer mornings, with the fog burning off by midmorning to bring warm, sunny days and cool evenings.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open from 6am to sunset.
Telephone: 949-494-3539 or 949-492-0802
The park is open from 6am to sunset.
Telephone: 949-494-3539 or 949-492-0802
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Crystal Cove Green Route
A moderate 3 mile loop trail that begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center
A moderate 3 mile loop trail that begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center
Moderate
2.9 mi
4.7 km
4.7 km
Crystal Cove Red Route
A moderate, 5.5 mile loop that takes you through canyon and up to Moro ridge, with sweeping coastal views.
A moderate, 5.5 mile loop that takes you through canyon and up to Moro ridge, with sweeping coastal views.
Moderate
5.5 mi
8.9 km
8.9 km
Crystal Cove Blue Route
This strenuous 9.1 mile hike follows the perimeter of the park, giving you a grand tour of Crystal Cove backcountry.
This strenuous 9.1 mile hike follows the perimeter of the park, giving you a grand tour of Crystal Cove backcountry.
Difficult
9.1 mi
14.6 km
14.6 km
Guides
This strenuous 9.1 mile hike follows the perimeter of the park, giving you a grand tour of Crystal Cove backcountry.
A moderate 3 mile loop trail that begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center
A moderate, 5.5 mile loop that takes you through canyon and up to Moro ridge, with sweeping coastal views.
Community Trips
Great little hike through the coastal wilderness. We took the Blue Route which is the longest hike available in the Crystal Cove State Park.
Our first excursion hiking together...in fact this was Shay's first recollection of a true hiking experience at all. It was a warm sunny day, especially for the middle of January. At first it seemed rather simple and flat, then Scott like a monkey from the rainforest scaled a 90 degree wall to examine an amazing cave. I stared in astonishment at what ease his body moved up the wall. Needless I stayed...
hike 2, El Moro Park. This was the second time for me to do this and I love this set of trails.
GPS: Magellan eXplorist 710 with photo/videoThe scenery is fantastic. Lots of wildlife. Snakes, Rabbits, and other small mammals. The trails range from hard packed dirt, to paved, and some loose dirt tracks. The ride to the old cattle camp is easy and enjoyable. From there the trail gets a little looser and switchbacks up the hill and back down circumventing the actual cattle camp, which is gated. Here the trail heads up...
Phone turned off by accident, had to restart 1/2 way through hike. This time of day there were a lot of bugs flying around. This was a good day to Hike though.
Reviews
