Reviews of Crystal Cove State Park. (Sports Complex) in Costa Mesa (California).

Crystal Cove State Park

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395 Comments

Sports Complex

State park

8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States

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Information of Crystal Cove State Park, Sports Complex in Costa Mesa (California)

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Open hours of Crystal Cove State Park

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Reviews of Crystal Cove State Park

CATHERINE ALEXANDRA SOTNICK

Absolutely Beautiful! This Campground is kept extremely CLEAN it's beautiful and the people are friendly. The bathroom are single stalls and actually have a mirror! They have hot showers. For the shower you have to purchase tokens for each token (1.00$) you get two minutes, it's worth it. They're large and the water is hot. This Park has all the amenities, water, electric and a wast disposal area. This is a dog friendly park unfortunately you can not take your dog on to the beach. This park is handy capable and have sites for the disabled as well as restrooms. This place is great for all ages. There are a few shops, restaurants and a Trader Joe's near by but if you need a Grocery Store you will have to drive at least 5 to 10 miles. I can't wait to go again! Enjoy 💋❤️✌️😎✌️❤️💋

Tina

Such a gorgeous beach. Be prepared for the walk down the ramp....I say kick of your shoes so you don't slide. It's worth it when you reach the bottom. Gorgeous cliffs and stunning views. There are rocks out in the water so be safe. Pods of dolphins swimming by and the colors of the water are breathtaking.

Steve Munguia

These are the trails on the inland side, there is a tunnel that can lead you to the beach side near the south most parking lot. There is a lot to explore with the various trails, it can take you from 1-2hours or even 4+hours depending on the trails you take. Some are difficult/strenuous, there are maps that show some of their difficulty but not all are labeled. The area is awesome, you get to see some forest type terrain, grassy, and dry as well. There are high points near the road where you can view the ocean. Definitely pack plenty of water and maybe a snack if you decide to explore up to the back area.

John Smith

Such a great place to just walk and relax. Easy access to the beach. I especially enjoyed watching the crabs on the rocks. I would recommend wearing thicker sandals or some foot covering because several of the rocks were sharp. Seems to have good bike and walking trails as well.

Shantae Martinez

This place is beautiful and clean. It is $10 to park and a hike down a steep hill, but it is fun! I don't recommend bringing people that have a hard time walking a long way here, nut they do have handicap access closer to the cottages where they filmed the movie Beaches. I recommend for the kids, they can swim and play in the sand, and the tide pools are there for exploring as well.

Dina Soma

Loved this place. We set up our stuff near the tide pools. Water was super clear I could see my toes😅 my kids loved the tide pools, they caught n released a bunch of crabs. We were able to cook at the beach so I brought a little butane stove n made burgers n hot dogs. There's no parking close by but on top of the hill n across the street you can park for a fee n take a shuttle down as well for $1.50 each person. There's also a bunch of restaurants near the beach which is a plus if you don't bring food..

Nate MacCormack

So much WOW! The historic "village" is like something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, where 1950s surf vibes meet modern dining. And the echo chamber walking tunnel there is just awesome! The beach nearby is a great spot for hanging out or even family or engagement photos. This is definitely on my list to visit regularly!!!

Zêrah Shemu'el

Beautiful place, quiet, not too crowded $15 parking, no dogs on beach. Awesome views. Great spot for early afternoon lunch and nap. I went @ noon on a Friday and was pretty happy with the lack of crowd. Great spot to watch the sunset. I parked at the reef spot, long stairs to go down.

Katrina Potter

The park ranger was very friendly. He told us that the the main beach for crystal cove was not a good fit for our disabled daughter. Because you have to park across the street and walk a ways. He directed us south to another part of crystal cove that the locals call Reef beach because it's off Reef rd. This beach dis have a very smooth path, albiet steep in places. There were multiple bathrooms and outdoor showers for rinsing off salt water and sand. The beach was beautiful however it was prohibited to take rocks or shells off the beach. All in all family had a good time

Nelson Pandey

Very nice park with various options for hike, 2-3 miles, 5 miles and 15 miles. We did 2-3 miles trails and it is medium trail not so hard. View from top is spectacular. You can see PCH , Laguna and many more places from top… very organized, enough parking space, restroom available and also if you are interested in camping, you ca do that too…. You can go to beach after completing your hike for relaxing yourself using tunnel under PCH. For one day parking you have to pay 20$.

STEPHANIE Baldwin

Had a great camping stay there. The Moro camp ground parking lot is the least steep walk to the beach. You have to go through the tunnel that has some water to wade through, but that was fun. It was just ankle deep. Bathrooms were always clean and stocked.

Poupee Cabalar

Always a great sight to visit for some sunshine, ocean air, brisk walk along the trails above and below on the sand. Parking is $15 per day for automobiles. It sounds expensive; however, you cannot put a price tag on access to one of the best beaches in Orange County. There is much open space to enjoy without worrying about the pandemic that is still hovering over us, for that time spent at the Cove. And if you would, bring a bag and pick up any debris you may see on the beaches. Those plastics are ingested by these poor sea birds and they just suffer in silence. We have to all be involved in saving our planet and sea life one debris at a time. Happy trails to you!

Senthil

One of my favorite beaches, with breathtaking views. Whenever I go to a trial in Crystal Cove State Park with my buddies, we always end up spending some time on the beach. It has a large number of parking places, but they are all charged. Unless you have an annual explorer pass, parking close to the beach is $15 per day. The beach is a must-see, and it never disappoints.

Julie SoCal Real Estate

Beautiful for hiking or just having a walk and enjoy the scenery. It’s even more beautiful during spring time as you can see many wildflowers blooming. Love the tide pools. Great way to spend the day.

Sheila Sun

Parking was a bit tough on a Saturday - we had to exit the completely full parking lot at Los Trancos and kept on going up the road for the Reef point one. Great view and big waves. Lots of seaweeds and brave seagulls eyeballing your bags. It was a fun day with the family for sure boarding, jumping waves and building a moat. Bathroom and showers are on the top by the parking lot.

Omar Almqayyad

This place is great. Breathtaking views and Amazing spot to watch sunset. The trail is fairly easy and enjoyable. I go there regularly and it always makes me feel good. 10/10. Tip: take a cup of coffee from Reborn coffee on 2933 east coast highway.

Leon S

Nice place during the full day but the sunset is especially spectacular. Good walking running trails by side of PCH. Or you can go down to the beach. Many walking ramps to and from the beach. Plenty of parking. Tickets or pass are required for car. Free entry by foot or bicycle. Dogs are not allowed on beach though. You can only walk your dog along the trails.

Todd Bailey

This place is great. Parking is $15 for all day. Walk down the hill to get to the beach, not as crowded as neighbors Huntington Beach. Perfect location for professional family photos. Great place for leisurely strolling, dogs allowed on paved roads. Big enough parking lot.We want to stay at the historic cottage soon, looks cool. Ate at the shake shack nearby the park, great ocean views.

Erns Valdez

Such a beautiful beach to visit. Several parking lots, we'll maintaned facilities and the views are so nice. Nice paved trails and steps to get down to the beach. Tide pools, look out spots and nice views.

Carolyn Spikes

Parking is across the street from one of the main entrances, which wasn't apparent. There are other parking areas though, just make sure to get there early. We did the top bluff trail and then walked back on the beach. We also liked walking around the historic district. The views were amazing. If you can get in to grab a drink or a table at the beachcomber they will validate parking for 3 hours, otherwise there is a $5/hour parking fee.

Robert Spier

This place is gorgeous! The views from the hike up the hill are amazing. There are several different routes of varying difficulty. We didn't heed the park ranger's advice and went counter-clockwise up a steep hill (instead of clockwise) -- but it was still quite manageable. On our hike we saw: - squirrels - rattlesnakes - hawks - stinkbugs - lizards On the other side of the parking lot you'll find a clean and quiet beach great for lounging or building sand castles. The water's cold, but the waves are usually reasonable, should you decide to take a dip.

Nathan Bantle

Beautiful small park. Incredible for the subset but also a really nice beach near a cliff side. Finding wildlife is fun here as well! Several nice walks to take as well.

JonnyBeoulve

The California coast is rich with beautiful beaches, but even then Crystal Cove stands apart from most locations. It has a small village vibe and lots of space to hang out and enjoy the scenery. There are nearby trails, easy parking across the street (around $5 an hour, though), and a few restaurants to eat at. All this makes it a premium destination in the southern California area.

Randy Myers

Great to place for a walk and to take in great views and plenty of aquatic life. You can also have a great meal at Beachcomber restaurant on the sand, or a burger and a shake at Shake Shack on the cliff. Both have great views

Tammy Glentz

If you haven’t been you should go! The scenery is beautiful as you can see and you can have lunch right in the beach. Be sure to have your phone charged up. You’ll be taking so many pictures. Enjoy!

Nancy Oliver

Hiking trails on one side of pch and, a great beach on the other side of pch for walking or checking out the tide pools! Parking is $20 for the day and you can go from one parking lot to the other with the same parking pass. They have a gift shop, a place to eat and rentals on the cliff. It really is relaxing there!!

fred pedroza

Went on an overnight camping trip to Lower Morrow campground. Highly suggest taking the slightly longer route up by taking the inner valley trail rather than the more direct route up. Quite a bit steeper. Take that on the way back down. You can see the fire damage along the outskirts of the trail but quickly growing back

Annie Hackenberg

It's primitive without electric. The bathhouses are (pay as you go) metered water, but the showers are hot. But the views, the beach, the hiking trails are spectacular. I'll be back ...

Robert Rael

We went to check this place out yesterday to see what the camping was like. Absolutely loved it. Each and every camping spot in Moro Campground faces the ocean. Each row of spots is also higher than the other rows so you can see over other campers.

D LC

We entered this thru reef point. Park rangers were nice. The all day parking goes up to $20 per day for the weekend. Strollers or wagons are not practical when going down the steep staircase. I saw most people put them back in their cars, including us. Take huge beach totes and backpacks. We only saw 1 tide pool but it had lots of crabs the kids loved watching.

**

Nice park and campground. Rangers do a great job. You can hear the traffic at the campground, but all sites have a view of the ocean. The restrooms are clean. If you visit the beach at low tide you can explore the tide pools. Nice, clean walking paths and trails.

Magali H

One of my favorite trail park to run at. Has a beautiful ocean view. So relaxing and peaceful. Parking is $15 but worth it! Check it out

Susan Pickering (msrosedale)

We got there around 10:30am Monday Morning and it was almost empty. It was clean. There’s an outdoor shower to rinse and bathrooms stalls available. Small parking area. $15 to get in. We went to get some beach time before our flight. Only 25mins away from John Wayne Airport.

Alec

Beautiful state park in Newport Coast. One of the most picturesque beaches in SoCal. Walking trails on the bluffs above the beaches with picnic areas and multiple stairways down to the beach.

Eliza Diaz

It is a beautiful place to be. Very peaceful. Great for walks, romantic walks, family walks. U can hike the trail or walk along the sand. They got restaurants right on the beach and little shops. It a great for tourist. You can even rent out the small house they have on the beach ⛱

David Manseop Kim

My wife and I visit here for the first time yesterday. It's a awesome beach in CA. I've been to La Jolla Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Salk Creek Beach, Strands Beach, Pismo Beach, and others. But Crystal Cove beach is also one of the best beach in CA. There was not many people out there, maybe due to the cloudy sky. But the sky was fantastic around the sunset time and it looked like a kind of awesome paintings. We enjoyed the time at the beach around an hour and half. During that time we met beautiful sunset with cool and fresh Pacific air. Wanna be there more later with my DSLR and tripod to take a wonderful sunset.

Yes Chef

Beautiful beach at the base of the hill. Parking is $15 all day, but includes bathrooms, a map and a well kept beach with many hiking trails and amazing views.

Sherri C.

Big, spacious, state park beach. Cost is $20 per vehicle. Access is not for the feeble. Long way down. Plenty of parking.

Abe Achkinazi

Nice coastal hike. Start at ridgeline hike along No Name Ridge down to the beach then back up Moro Canyon. No a lot of shade so don’t skimp on the sunblock and take plenty of water. Lots of places of a lunch break once you’re by the beach at the park.

Chris Hannemann

Very nice state park. Charge to park is $5 per hour up to $15 per day. There are several places to park. Be sure to bring valuables with you to the beach rather than leave them in your car. There a signs warning the it is an area we’re car breaking are prevalent. There is a parking lot across the highway that offers a shuttle to the beach area if the climb is too tough. The shuttle takes you to an area where there is a nice restaurant right on the beach called The beachcomber.

Lissette Miranda

Wooow the beach is beautiful, it was very cloudy but the weather was very pleasant, the water was very cold but after a while the cold water is bearable, I will definitely return with my family.

Collin Scott

The best beach in Southern California! Come for the view and stay for the history! The local's not-so-secret is the beach bungalows at this park! True home that were lived in during the early 20th century, now they are owned by the state and RENTED OUT using a lottery system on the California State Parks website. Literally on the sand at one of the most beautiful places in the world. Last time I went there were people giving painting classes using the breathtaking views as their reference. If you haven't been please check this place out, you will not regret it!

Anna Thundergun

We love to stay at Crystal Cove for family vacation as it is always an absolutely fantastic experience. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the breathtaking views of the ocean. The campgrounds are nestled in a secluded cove with a private beach, providing the perfect backdrop for a peaceful and relaxing getaway. But the views were just the beginning – Crystal Cove had so much to offer for a fun and enjoyable family vacation. The campgrounds were impeccably clean and well-maintained, with private sites that offered plenty of space and privacy. The bathrooms were also clean and well-stocked, which was a major plus for our family. One of the highlights of our stay was definitely the beach. The private cove was absolutely stunning, with crystal clear water and soft, sandy shores. We spent hours swimming, building sandcastles and just soaking up the sun. The beach was also well-maintained and clean, which was much appreciated. But the fun didn't stop at the beach – there were so many activities and amenities available at Crystal Cove that kept our family entertained. From hiking trails and a variety nearby places to visit, there was always something to do. We also enjoyed evening campfires and s'mores under the stars, which was a highlight for all of us. Overall, our stay at Crystal Cove was an absolute delight. The views, private beach cove and clean bathrooms were just a few of the things that made our vacation so special. The campgrounds were clean, private and offered so much fun for the entire family – we can't wait to go back. If you're looking for a great family vacation camping spot, I highly recommend Crystal Cove – you won't be disappointed.

Petr Divis

Try the hike from Pacific Ridge Trailhead through El Moro Canyon to the coast. It is an unforgettable journey through the coastal chaparral in the morning gloom… Just watch out for crazy cyclists, they usually go too fast in very poor visibility.

Lorrie Burkes

Lovely campground. Clean bathrooms and showers. Can't burn wood so be sure to bring a propane fire ring if you want a campfire. Views are gorgeous!

Tapas Gandhi

One of my favorite places to hike! Great views and definitely challenging. Did the El Moro canyon to the Moro Ridge loop. About 8 mile hike and it took me 3 hours. Not too many people although I did go on a Thursday

Slav Zatoka

Have been going there regularly with my family. We have a year pass. Friendly rangers and the best beaches in OC.

Aaron Sales

There's limited parking here, but waiting for a spot to open up is very much worth it. There are rocky portions in the beach which can be a good platform for nice photos and crustacean watching. The shore width is about ten meters but the length stretches until Laguna Beach (I think), so you're sure to have enough space for a big group. There are no lifeguards but the waves are tame. The park also closes by sunset.

Jaymie Martz

Beautiful place with so much to see. The trails, beachs, and history only name a few things that people love about Crystal Cove. It's great for romance, family days with the kids, camping, getting a hike/walk in, or just enjoying getting out in the sun to hear nature. I highly recommend spending some time to stop here and just take a breather.

Hannah B

This beach has it all, a quick way into the beach where you will find a clean well kept beach, you don't have to walk far in the sand to reach the water which is my favorite part, once done with the beach you can find clean well maintained restrooms and showers, the restrooms are large enough to change in and clean enough to where i don't have to be scared of putting my clothes on the sink, the parking lot is just off of the restrooms which makes it very easy to dump your beach gear and then go shower/ change. Parking is 15$ and all in all it is one of my favorite beach spots ever.

Alan Zhan

Parking is at top of the hill, it's 5 mins walking but a little bit of work if you bring accessories and a headache if too much to bring to the beach. No BBQ or fire pit. Rock formation beneath the waves of water on high tides, not recommend for kid to swim due to whirlpool next to the rocks. Play on the sand beach is no problem.

이강산

I went there for the beach with family but you can hike and camp there as well. But it was a pity that we weren't allowed to take our dog with to the beach🥺 Ps. you need to pay to get in there but there's parking lot so you can park and walk around the area. …

Lord John

One of my favorite beaches. Bring some sun block and shade. Fee for entry with steep stairs to the beach.

Teresa Turner

This place has got to be one of the most beautiful places I've seen. From their hiking trails, to beach cottages, The Beach Comber restaurant and their tide pools, everything is top notch! You can also rent fire pits and beach chairs! I borrowed some pics from their website and posted a few I recently took. The story of Crystal Cove Cottages is awesome. Check it out whenever you can.

Fiona Cole

We really enjoyed spending the weekend exploring Crystal Cove State Park. We rode our bikes from the Moro Day Use Area, north on PCH, and along the coast on the multi-use path all the way to Treasure Cove. On the ride back we walked to view points, beach access paths, and the historic district. We hiked from the campground up Moro Ridge trail.

Hwalih Han

Dogs only allowed on paved bluff trail not on beaches. Beautiful views - worth walking to the end of trail for views. Bathrooms ok but not super clean. Wear sunscreen even if foggy. Bring a hat and good walking shoes. Stroller for dogs if small or when pavement is hot.

Lydia N

Beautiful path overlooking the Pacific with plenty of parking and a dog friendly three mile paved walkway. $15.00/day.

Vicky

This place is the perfect place for a little beach adventure. The waves and tide pools are beautiful. I recommend wearing shoes with a good grip on the bottom I went in sandals and slipped a few times on the rocks. This is definitely one of Socal's many treasures for its breath taking view point of the ocean.

marta hynan

Definitely the most beautiful state park that I have been. Being able to see the ocean while hiking the awesome hills is an unique experience for those who live in Socal!! Nice restroom, really well marked trails with lots of maps and great group of park rangers 👏👏 We go there to meet friends who live in LA or OC because it's right in between!!! We got a beach workout and 7 miles 💪 👏

Craig Fullman

Gorgeous beach with several miles to walk, low crowds due to paid parking, tasty Beachcomber restaurant or short hike to Shake Shack on PCH for burgers & shakes. At low-tide enjoy the small.tide pools.

Alex Pellegrineschi

Beautiful state park between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Very peaceful, perfect for a relaxing time on the beach.

Daniel Gutierrez

First time visitor but what very a nice beach and it was packed. Nice and clear. The waves were awesome. Parking was a little ways from the beach but the little hike to get there was really nice. Different but nice. Theres the Beachcomber bar right next to the beach was also packed. Wasn't up for the wait just to get a drink. But it looked really nice. Drink or eat while watching the waves roll in, sweet. The people we met lounging next to us with their family were super nice. It seemed that everybody there were really nice. Great day with family. Try this beach, I recommend it. At least once. I'm sure you'll go back again, I will.

Jason Lopez

Great for walk/ hike, job/ runs and mountain biking. Pretty maintained trails few deep rocks throughout many of the trails. If he's an issue either go early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Annalisa Ponce

Very beautiful beach! It did have a lot of seaweed and flies on the actual sand part of the beach but it wasn't crazy crowded even though it was labor day. The lifeguards we're constantly walking by as well as watching the water and keeping us updated with how the water conditions were. There were rocks to pose and take beautiful pictures with and a ton of trails to walk on if you don't want to get wet. Bring your dog for a walk or take your family on the beach either choice will be a blast!

Manuel “Manny”

We came here a little too late to really fully enjoy this beach park-- around 7 pm. We had driven in from Phoenix but a nasty traffic jam on I-10W stalled our arrival in Newport by at least 90 min. However, it is a very nice beach, and was not crowded with too many people. If you are looking for a peaceful beach, this might be a good choice. Not only that, the waves are calmer in the break zone. We also went to Balboa Park beach and found their break zone to be too hard. On the upside, I did manage to take some nice photos. :-)

Cat Herine

I have always enjoyed coming to this park in compare to Dana point or Newport. This one is usually less crowded and easier to find street parking. With that said, it is also a little more ways to get to restaurants. I usually come right around 2pm when people are heading out for lunch so that I could park right next to the ramp to head straight down to the beach. Bring your sunhat, pack some snacks and enjoy the California sun!

Rebekkah Gross

Whats not to love about Crystal Cove State Park? The views are breathtaking. Easy walking paths and beautiful scenery. Slight walk down to the beach- slight downhill on either a walking path or stairs. Not accessible for wheelchairs.

Fatima De Leon

Soft sand and great views. A delightful alternative if you are not in the mood for the crowd at Laguna's main beach. Small children may need handholding going up and down the uneven narrowing steps to the water. Easy/intermediate hike paths/walking trail along the coast.

Stewart Gandolf

A special place in our heart. we use our annual pass to come here often. The beach is wide, long and beautiful. There are also walkways above the cliffs with native plants, birds and wildlife.

Suga Needs

One of the quieter beaches. Very beautiful, quite a steep hill to get down. Has some rocky parts of the beach so you have to be careful not to swim by it. The strong current can drag you across one so watch out. Love this beach

Around the World

Came here for a sunset walk. Saw an engagement photoshoot. This place is beautiful at sunsets. It wasn’t too crowded on a Wednesday evening. We didn’t swim here because of the rocks so we just enjoyed the scenery. We parked in the neighborhood parking for free and walked about 5 to 10 mins to get here to avoid the $15 parking fee.

Vincent Ju

Ok beach, super busy. Walk to beach was ok but they have a shuttle. It was nice to visit. The sand is fine.

Brenda Ballesteros

My favorite beach super clean and soft sand nice picture views you can go biking and hiking on the trails parking is 10 bucks and there are three different entrance and the parking pass is good for all entrance for the day. Also you can camp as well a lot of shopping centers and two more miles up you can go to downtown Laguna shops and food right off PCH

J3ss K

Beautiful beach! Was not overcrowded and I got to see so much wildlife just enjoying their habitat. And it was so clean!! Seeing the pelicans out and hunting was also an especially cool treat! A huge thank you to the Parks Service for maintaining such a beautiful wildlife area. ❤️

Denise Vaquera

What a great place! Love it and will definitely be going back. Not over crowded, and the life guards are great

oceanicthai1

Gorgeous beach with stunning views from the top. Clean and lots of paths and covered seating areas above the beach. Lots of well maintained bathrooms. Worth the parking fee.

Mlei P T

Perfect weather Sunday July 24 The whole family enjoyed walking around and shop..of course the favorite part...feel the ocean breeze...and had lunch at Javier's...Thank you Lord for the good life...

GeoChicken

Fun beach to go to. Lots of sea glass as well, found some good pieces. No dogs though.

Joe Castro (JC)

Nice beach, especially if you are a injured vet and have your state park pass, means free entrance. Usually a pretty mellow surf, bit at times can get a riptide.

Annie Smith

Low amount of people all day long $20 for parking, very private beach.

Gabriel Clifford

Great views & clean ocean!! Easy to walk down to the beach. Very nice & clean restrooms. Drinking water available. Parking is $15 but well worth it. Park by the restrooms for a shorter walk down to the beach. The other side of parking is for the cliff views from above.

Russell Davis

If you love seashells welcome to heaven. And the beautiful sandy beach is romance incarnate. I love it here and so does my amazing wife.

R. Gabriela Curiel

My son and I went this weekend for a primitive camping, weekend getaway. Our campsite was in Upper Moro, about 3 miles from where we parked our car. We enjoyed the beach and backpacked to our site where we prepared a delicious meal and saw some wild life. At the beach, we saw a sea lion swimming freely. On our way to the campsite, we saw rabbits, quails, beautiful bugs and insects, including hummingbirds.

Philip Busk

Beautiful secluded beach with some tide pools and interesting cliffs.

Andrew Drefahl

Stunningly, beautiful, in the heart of Newport Beach. Backcountry trails were closed due to rain. But the coastal walk was great. I’m sure in seasons other than January, you would see more sea life in the title pools. Great walk though easy parking.

Jungwhee Shin

All natural and full of historical mood mingled place. 3hrs free with restaurant validation.

Jon Ray

Great beach across from expensive Moro Campground. The tunnel under PCH made it easy to carry our gear and packed lunch or walk to the Beachcomber and cottages. Upon return to the campground, it took $1 worth of tokens to shower and rinse the salt and sand off. Unfortunately we also came back to a trailer with multiple lines of ants marching through. I noticed most sites had a powder substance around vehicle tires and supports. I inquired with Rangers and they seemed very surprised about the ants but stated not to use scouring powder. I used a dust pan and recycled whatever from the empty site next to mine. With the addition of ant traps and leaving, the problem was resolved in a couple days.

Karibu Nyaggah

Crystal Cove is perennially beautiful especially when you get here early before the crowds arrive. Enjoy a gorgeous sunrise with a refreshing morning mist, or mozy on down to catch the sunset.

Erica Bettencourt

Beautiful beach. It is very crowded but if you don't mind walking 20 minutes down the beach it clears up a bit and there are great tide pools.

Susan Walcott

Just love this park! Great coastal cliff walks to run, bicycle, walk your dog. Love the cottages to stay the night. Great restaurant right on beach. Friendly rangers station visitors center. Friendly rangers and life guards. Clean public restrooms. Beautiful beaches in low and high tide. Some nice surfing when waves are high. Beautiful sunsets. Ease of access to beach hiking for those with more limited mobility. It's beautiful, quiet, and, in this time of pandemic, people are keeping their six feet distance, people are wearing masks when close contact. I noticed parents of small children who run and wander put masks on their kids and everyone is just very respectful and friendly. The rangers are keeping things nice and clean a and clearly marked signs.

Billy Pope

Very clean . Definitely take the time to explore the shoreline.

Kelly Mendoza

Not as packed beach beacsue it takes 8 to 10 minutes to walk down that steep hill. I'm glas they made it accessible. Definitely will put your litter ones to sleep if you let them walk up and down by themselves. Bathrooms are clean and stocked because no one dares to walk back up unfortunately. So I'm pretty sure kids pee in that ocean a lot. Life guard was always there . It was such a nice view . Just be careful with the rock inside the ocean they hurt. And I saw jumping dolphins!!!

Chris M

Location is great. Parking is cramped and expensive if you're not spending the whole day. After you park, you'll follow the trail and walk under PCH through a tunnel to access the beach. Check tides before you go otherwise you'll be walking through knee to waist deep water in said tunnel. Beach is not rocky at all, very pleasant. Tenancy for rip currents, waves are very hollow and on the right day/swell/tide, very good for body surfing, body boarding and general swimming.

Alastair Aitken

One of the most beautiful State Parks in California, this former beach community, perched on the sandy cliffs, is a family friendly place to spend a day or a week. Come spend the day hiking, sunbathing, marveling at the tide pools, or playing in the increasingly clean water. Parking is $15 for the whole day, and bathrooms are clean and abundant. Showers are also available outside to rinse off the warm sand and clear ocean water after a day of fun.

Barbara Gutierrez

Peaceful and calm. My teens loved walking around. We entered an area that they enjoyed so much we never left. We will definitely go back to see more. $15 for a day pass, so worth it!

Thad King

This is a beautiful state park where houses are rented for the night or week. The tenants are extremely nice and outgoing.

Jason Baker

Great beach with a ton of tidal pools. However, if you visit please do NOT take things with you. All the sea urchins which used to be here, are gone now due to people taking them. Also, watch out for sea anemones, they're everywhere!

TSideWes805

Good place to kick back, relax and bag some trails.

David Y.

I love this beach! The tide pools coupled with areas to swim and location make this a favorite destination of mine. Clean restrooms for a public beach

Patricia Powell

Crystal Cove is a unique and historical site. We rented a cottage and had hors d'oeuvres and drinks for dinner one night. There are lots of stairs if you are on the upper level. Many people come just for the day but it was a wonderful experience, you are right on the ocean so the views are beautiful and they continue to rehab The Cottages that people lived in for years and years and years. Look up the history. It is state-owned so in order to get a reservation you have to go on the state site and it is a rolling 6 months for reservations. But if you can get a reservation it is a lovely place to spend time walking on the beach, looking for sea glass and just watching the sunset.

Kyle Amata

Took a quick trip to this quiet little beach. Great for families and very children friendly. There were a few places to eat and access wasn’t too bad. They have a shuttle service that is super fast if you don’t want to walk. There were a lot of old historic cottages that were fun to explore and walk around as well. We would definitely recommend this beach to those looking for a change to the usually over populated beach locations.

Shanelle S

Expansive park with hiking trails, beach access, and camping grounds. It’s a family friendly spot with wide hiking trails that are paved in some parts and are made of compact dirt. There are bathrooms available and they’re surprisingly clean for a park bathroom. There’s also a shower where you can clean off your feet or take a body shower if you head over towards the beach. The beach is sandy and the waves are pretty strong. In terms of the hiking trails, there are a lot of options ranging from easy to more strenuous. There’s minimal shade. No dogs are allowed, and be mindful of the poison oak/rattlesnakes. The trails are pretty popular though, and quite a few people bike alongside the hikers. It’s $15 to park. The park ranger told us to download and use an app to pay for parking, but you’re also able to pay with the machine at the entrance. There is free WiFi provided through the park, but the app took a long time to download so you might be better off to use the machine. Overall, it’s a good spot to spend some time outdoors, whether you decide to get your steps in, lounge by the beach, or do both!

James Cairns

Crystal Cove State Park - Table Rock Park and my GPS said west street.... So many little beaches in one area to be honest it gets confusing. PCH is covered in beaches and I dare say to name them all my review would go on and on. I’m not native to the area, I’m from Scotland but one thing I can say LOVING this area truly has so much to offer and if I can say you are left to do whatever, respect the land and for these beaches they are secluded so respect to the neighbors. Laguna Beach so far for me I cannot put into words what I have found and just exactly what else is there. Stores and the selection of what is on offer even in current situation, play the rules and do your part and you’ll be in for a magical day. I’ve only been at the quieter times so can’t say what it’s like when busy. Parking depending on the beach you pick can be tricky and some parts the path or steps down can be daunting for some. Truly worth it though, you will not be disappointed and you’ll have an amazing day.

Sailing SeaWulf

One of the best parks in SoCal. The beach is incredible beautiful and well protected. But even more impressive which I discovered recently was the land area of the park that extends quite a bit of Bill with wonderful trails

Just Jett

Crystal Cove is a great place especially to watch sunsets. Beware of fog that rolls in. Timing is everything. Nice place to walk. Eat at the Shack it's tasty. I believe the cottages they rent are currently being renovated. At Christmas time they had a tree on the beach which was a perfect photo opportunity. It is a clean beach with clean restrooms.

Samantha D'costa

Parking is expensive $15. But you can park in different areas of the park without having to pay extra. You gotta pay on an app. The hiking areas are beautiful. There is beach access depending on where u park. Definitely would recommend to all ages

Daniel Seyyedi

The park offers several hiking trails, which you can pick based on your hiking skills. The longest trail is almost 10miles. There is a direct access to the beach. Very well maintained facilities. You may ask for trails map at the entrance. The daily rate is $15 (hourly $5), it is relatively expensive.

martha palafox

Perfect for a peaceful stroll with children or family. Romantic and beautiful ❤️

Naim Nazef

Absolutely beautiful park. Note it's $15 to park and the steps down can be a bit steep for the elderly. Bathrooms are available. Wonderful pics of the coast.

Kelsey D

The little trails were well kept. The bathrooms could use paper towels instead of blowers. The bathrooms didn't have soap. Please get soap. The beaches were kept nicely and were clean.

Brent Mccracken

Very nice beach that doesn't usually get over crowded. The parks Dept also has cottage you can rent that sit right on a stretch of the beach.

Derek Hemsley

Staff were super insightful and kind! Went to see tide pools near parking lot 2 and it was a bit of a let down we were close to low tide by about 20 minutes and didn't see much besides hermit crabs. Beautiful place to watch the sunset

Deborah Nystrom

Even on a very salty, windy day it was marvelous.

Arturo Chavez

Argue arguably the most beautiful coastal scenery in all of California. The beach 🏖️ wonderful. Such a great spot to really relax and enjoy your loved ones ⛱️ …

Steve McMahon

Has became one of my favourite places. Safe parking - usual fees. Hikes if you want but we go for the beach. Walk through the tunnel and enter a beautiful beach area. Often empty and easy to find a space to make your own. Regular patrols by lifeguards. Dolphins to be seen offshore on a regular basis. Very little boating activity of any sort to spoil the peace.

Zahra Ali

Absolutely love this beach! We did bbq with our personal grill on the benches by the state park parking. State Park parking is $15+ though. The beach is beautiful and so good and peaceful. The sand is lovely. No stones.

David Gordillo

Crystal Cove is a great place to take the family for a nice day at the beach. Depending on the tide, there ia greatvtide pools to explore and nice lone beaches to walk with lots of beautiful scenery. I love this place!

David Requenes

Beautiful Cliffside views of the ocean. $15 to get in.

Carrie Rogers

I photographed an elopement at Crystal Cove State Park and it's now one of my favorite beach locations! There's plenty of parking, restrooms available, and the paths are very accessible to everyone (a lot are paved or wooden boardwalks). There are different overlook areas along the cliffs that are great to get a view of the ocean / coastline and beach access. The route we took to the beach was pretty steep but not a problem for us. Parking was $15 so I'd plan to bring a lunch and stay for a while to make it worth it. Photos below by Carrie Rogers Photography.

Zi Zhang

Get there at sunrise for the best tide pool critters spotting.

Angie Pozos

First time at the beach in 2020, what a sight. This place was majestic, several hiking trails to choose from and a beach front full of shells, life, and tide pool areas. There’s plenty of parking, state park fees apply. There are a few restaurants, all practicing social distancing in their seating. The sand was so nice to walk in, and so many pebbles and shells to collect along the way.

Lina Lain

This was a shorter hike at Crystal Cove. It was steep and felt like a decent workout. The nature on the way was a bit dry, but the views were amazing! It overlooked Laguna beach, ocean, palm trees. The views were the best part! I went with my two kids ages 5 and 7 and they made it just fine! Then we went to the near by beach at the Cove State Park, it was gorgeous!

Brianne Rogers

This was such a lovely place to visit, and with the most beautiful sunset. The rock formations are amazing, and the beach is clean, and it has soft sand. The water is clear, and it is just overall a really nice beach to visit. There are really cute rental cottages, and a nice restaurant right on the sand. It was so nice hearing the waves while we ate dinner. Love it.

Amy Hannum

Great trail and walking location, offers great views to ocean over cliffs, animal habitats and vegetation. Just becareful if taking young kids not much fencing to prevent them from falling off cliff and or going in bushes, signs mention snakes live in bushes. I will keep coming 👍 though with my kids, it was great exercise for all of us.

Ed The Reselling Rider

Great place to go to the beach or just walk around the little trail. Great to get your workout on or just enjoy the beach. Many options for food and parking. Highly recommend.

David Wisbey

Crystal cove is stunningly beautiful! Pristine beaches are filled with amazing tide pools full of sea anemones. Don’t pick up or touch the animas, or collect shells, but they are amazing to look at. The beach is perfect for watching the sea, having a picnic, or body surfing. There are riptides and under water rocks, so swimming is dangerous and there is no lifeguard on doing. At low tide you can walk very far out and sea tide pools that are usually under water. Many different birds, plant life, and sea creatures. I saw a pod of dolphins, storks, and many other birds and a Lima’s that I couldn’t identify! This beach was not crowded when I went in December. Getting down to the beach from the parking lot could be trickery if you take the uneven stairs. There is a ramp down to the beach, but it is very steep. The tunnel from the campsite was flooded. The only bathrooms are up at the parking lot.

Greg Wright

Note is a great time to hike and explore El Moro Canyon and Crystal Cove State Park. Recent rains have prompted tremendous mustard growth which paint the hillsides a beautiful yellow and green. Enjoy them now before summer heat kills it off. Parking at the visitor center is easy to find with ample signs directing the way. It's $15 dollars per day and we didn't see any hourly parking options so make sure you get early enough to get your money's worth. Annual passes are $199 for thirteen months. Buyer's tip - buy in the beginning of the month like May 1. Your pass will be good the three end of May the following year so it's like getting an extra month for free. That pass will also grant access to other state parks and beaches up and down the coast. There are several miles of hiking trails ranging from beach strolls to very strenuous and several mile mountainous hikes. Snake season is approaching so pay attention to where you step. This area offers about the greatest range of hiking options in the area from easy to very challenging. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and a friend and enjoy a great day in a beautiful area!

Kenya Bannister

Breathtaking views...this place is so peaceful!

Hugo Moctezuma

I recommend the easy-moderate trail (~3 mile loop) on the PCH side since you have easy access to the beach after you're done hiking. There's also the crystal cove shopping center, less than a mile away, for food and drinks.

Mary O'Malley

Nice views of the ocean, from four trails through the park. There are also camping facilities and beach access. There are seating areas near the camp sites that offer different perspectives on the coast.

Luis Marcano

This State Park Beach is pristine and secluded. You can only access it from el Moro Canyon camping area or from the parking lots on PCH....from the Shake Shack is about 1.5 miles walking. I love when you can actually see Catalina Island from here. You will find gorgeous natural pools loaded with local marine life. Good for the entire family but uf coming with children stay close to the lifeguards. #calilife

Karen M

Absolutely stunning. Tide pools were cool and I don't think we even planned our trip at the right time to really get the best of them tbh. Pics are from pelican point area.

Paola Gaytan

I loved this place and I'm looking forward to coming back. I went in April when the hills were still green. You have the best of both worlds for nature lovers, you can go hiking/exploring and then go relax at the beach. They also have some picnic tables and clean restrooms. I recommend getting there early as the parking lots get full. The hike offers beautiful views of the ocean and the hills but there's no shade so do it early and take plenty of water. The beach is accessible thru a tunnel

Janice Wood

Crystal Cove is a state park which provides campsites with a great ocean view above the highway across from the beach. There are several points of entry off highway 1, all require a one time day pass or you can purchase an annual state park pass which covers the cost of visiting every state park in California!

John JC

This is one of my favorite spots in the whole earth. I keep visiting everytime I have the chance. This place is peaceful, but magical at the same time. I just love the ocean, the breeze, the sand. It's just amazing.

Rayeemon _

IG:@daysoffwithray A great place enjoy a quiet relaxing beach day. Theres cool rocks and tipepools to explore as well. Bring a friend! We biked from Seal beach to get here it's worth the ride!

Amy

What a find! Watched the perfect sunset at the northern entrance and hiked through the tunnel to get to the water at the southern entrance. Must do beach! Pictures amazing! Water clean and dandy. Easy access. $15 day parking pass or $5 hour.

Kathleen Gonzalez

Great place to hike and walk. Multiple types of terrain. Trails were challenging at times. They were also well maintained. Rangers were friendly and helpful. A few places to eat along the way by the ocean. Did a ten mile hike. Enjoyable. Lots of bathrooms on the coast hike /walk portion. Well maintained paths. Great picture points.

Gio Anthony Vanni

This is a nice level 1 (easy) to 10(hard) =3-5 , depending which trails you choose and if you decide to stay on paved trails or go to the downhill/uphill paved/unpaved road/trails, I will places some photos so you have a better understanding of what I am referring to. Now regarding parking pretty much you have 2 options, one which is the first option if you follow your GPS coordinates directly to the State Park where you will be charged a flat $15.00 parking fee, or if you go just next light and go left at Los Trancos then you can will be charge $5.00 per hour, so if you think you will be spending more than 2 hours at the trail which can take you from 1-5 + hours depending on the time you want to dedicate to your visit you can choose either or parking fee options. Now regarding the park trails I will pretty much the images speak by themselves and I did cover just an hour and 15 mnts on this visit, I hope the images will give you a better idea.

HELL Bent

When riding down PCH I allwase would pass this beach, the view of this beach is eye stunning I could not resist so I had to pay a visit and get my hands in the sand. The parking is 15 dollars , beware if your older in age you will have to travel down a steep path to get to the beach and it might be harder traveling up toward the parking lot but it's all worth it I enjoyed my self

Tracy Foster

This beach has a lot to offer. Large parking lots, tide pools, bathrooms and beautiful coastline. When the tide is high, the sandy area to park your stuff is small. Depending what parking lot you use, it can be a bit of a hike to get to the water and then back up to the bathrooms. It's a beautiful walk along paved and hard dirt paths. Still worthy of a visit for the pretty rocks on the beach to explore, cave and small tidepools.

Kevin P

Great place to hang out with friends or family. Walk around at low tide and find lots of hermit crabs and other sea life. Sometimes you find baby octopus stuck in the tide pools. We went this year on Christmas to get out of the house and walk around. It's a little bit of a walk to get down from the parking lot to the beach so if you have a senior citizen with you, they can always sit up on top on one of the benches and watch. They have a year long pass that you can pay for, but there is really no incentive to get it because it's more expensive then if you pay as you go.

Mehdi Jazayeri

Lovely beach, especially nice for sunset viewing. Good for walking and for families. Plenty of facilities.

Mary Cassle

Loved the spontaneous Christmas trip I spent here with my brother and husband.

Debra Partida

This is a great place to enjoy one of the most beautiful coastlines in California, so if you're in the area or visiting from another state-it is a must see!!

Pao Vero

This is a beautiful place ! So peaceful, and amazing view . I love the rock formation, tide pools and to explore the sea life 😍 There is an small tunnel that you will have to walk to get to the beach sometimes this tunnel can be fill with some water so be ready to take off your shoes or wear sandals and depends of the time of the year this water may be freezing 🥶 Be prepare to pay for parking about $15😅

Benjamin Rose

Hiking trails along the beach and on a nice walkway. Parking is a small fee but the views are worth it. Also a very good beach spot for a casual beach day with the bros. General tip for any non-SoCal visitors: go to smaller beaches like this; always a lot less people, better views, plus less litter and trash.

Brenton Simon

We love going to the tide pools here at low tide. It's a fun activity for kids (and adults) of all ages!

Eli zamoreti

Stunning views, bike and walk trails, a lot of chipmunks and ways to the beach, parking goes 5 to 15 bucks, they have cool binoculars that allows you to check the next beaches or just contemplate the ocean boats or the whole place

Express Cash Flow - Phil Guertin

Clean and beautiful beach that’s not crowed. Cost to park is $15 or if you eat st the Beachcomber and spend over $30 parking is free. In the summer months you need to make reservations. The walk from the parking lot does take about 15 minutes.

Kenneth Thompson

We paid $15/parking for here. We saw some small tide pools but it was just too cold and windy. Expansive beach/sand front. It was right across the street from a Trader Joes, Banana Republic, Gap.

Joel Scarbez

Some nice views, especially with the yellow flower blooms. I don't recommend it for mountain biking. Long hot climbs, some singletracks but with no interesting features, except the occasional mega-rut/crevasse where you can break some bones if you put your wheel in it :/

Hari Sasidharan Pillai

Awesome place to spend a day. Fresh air and clean surroundings. Sea view from here is really awesome. You can spend a full day over here with your family. You can take different routes based on your interest. Routes can vary based on the difficulty in walking. You need to be little careful about the snakes which may pass through the routes. Parking and rest room is available.

Dreamer

Crystal Cove Park Trail is very easy and doable for everyone as there isn't much elevation and most of the way is paved. As you reach the beach area, with wonderful views of Pacific Ocean, you would love that. Some of the pics are included here which you would love and am sure would pay a visit to this place. Go and enjoy guys!!

Janelle Rock

A magical place in Joshua Tree NP nestled in the rocks. Only toilets available at this site but lots of private nooks in the rocks if you really need to wash off. Had great sense of comraderie with other campers. Will definitely be coming back. The bunnies hoping last our tent were a nice treat

Edward Ryan

The park itself is very beautiful and peaceful. In addition to that the parking fee is very affordable it is a reasonable price ($15) for a secure location while you enjoy the outlets or inlets of the park. exact amount is required or you should download the "parking pass app" which is very convenient.

Jenn Brown-Whale

Visiting from Maryland in late December. $15 day pass, purchased at Ranger Station/Visitor Center. Conveniently located immediately off of the Pacific Coast Highway. The day pass granted us access to several entry points/parking lots along the beach. There is a flat, paved path along the top of the ridge, overlooking the beach. There is a staircase leading down to the beach at one place and a ramp leading down near Reef Point. Tide pools were interesting to explore. We enjoyed a great lunch at the Beachcomber restaurant. Not crowded.

Kayla Lavilla

Well kept and maintained park. Tide pools and marine life. Nice place to stroll and walk either along the beach or on the wooden/paved pedestrian areas.

Vivan Arreola

My family did the easy hike up to poles and back. It was a nice hike for beginners. After completing the hike we went through the tunnel to the beach, it was the perfect end to a hike. Beautiful

Samuel Evans

Lovely beach out of the way and not too busy! There were some nice rock formations and shells along the beach. Many eating options nearby ($15-25$ range). Bring extra money, there's a parking lot with shuttle service for $15. Would recommend!

Iris Hernandez

Absolutely loved this place! Not super crowded, good sand, beautiful views, and many options for parking.

Chad Aultman

Amazing views. Incredible paths and trails.

Ivan Nekrasov

Reef Point in the Crystal Cove State Park is one one of the most beautiful places in the United States. I got up at 5:30 AM, so I could drive up and look at the sunrise at this place and it was totally worth it. It reminded me of Mt. Carmel coast line on the Mediterranean Sea. If you are visiting LA, make sure to stop by at Crystal Cove park. On my next trip - I planning to watch the Pacific sunset at this place.

Cesar Herrera

We stayed at the rv park, the spots are layered on the hill overlooking the ocean, mos of the rv's below you are not seen unless they are really high, since this is a state park there is access to a whole lot of trails, you have access to the beach via pedestrian tunnel under the highway and it not as busy as the main laguna beach only 2 miles away. The waves crashing on the beach at night. Highly recommend staying here. I will be.

Caitlin Navarro

We have a California State Parks parking pass, which is a great reason to get out of LA every weekend to use our pass. Next on the list was Crystal Cove, which I've always lived near but never actually been. Directions and parking are pretty easy, though there are multiple entrances so you'll want to know where you're going to decide where to park. Our target was the back country trails, which are gorgeous this time of the year. You can find trail maps online on the park's website, which I recommend since there were multiple groups who stopped us to ask which way a trail went. There are quite a few signs and trail markers, but there are lots of intersections where you'll want to know which way you're heading. We took the three mile short Moro Canyon route recommended online, and it was beautiful! It took just about an hour to complete, even with stopping for photos. Depending on the time of year and the rainy season, the scenery will change. There's very little shade, though, so wear sunscreen and bring water! We plan to come back to check out the longer Moro Ridge trail.

Ingrida Kern

A fun place to visit. It's a bit more private and near by rocks to explore. The walk down is a bit steep so keep that in mind if you bringing the stroller or heavy things.

Caroline McCormick

I wanted a typical California coast experience and I got it here! Cheap parking, beautiful views, lots of areas to explore!

Brandice Schumacher

I would love to give this amazing state park five stars but, I just can't. The campground is impeccable, stunning views, clean, happy kids running around, beautiful beaches to explore. But the rangers are just so grumpy. Instead of saying "DRIVE SLOWLY" and spitting out rules rules rules as you enter how about trying to say "have a great day" or "enjoy your stay," as a camper you're already made to sign a list of very specific rules so move on and just be happy. I mean you chose to work at a state park, id like to think you enjoy your job so be happy and ENJOY all the happiness the people have while they are visiting your park. Now I do enjoy enforcing rules don't get me wrong but if you see somebody breaking them, correct the action and move on. For the innocent people a smile and a nice greeting would be a good change.

niketh j

Awesome place to spend a day .!!! Hiking Amazing Ocean view Beautiful trails Beautiful view while coming back from hiking.!! Historic District of beaches .!! The Crystal cove is a stretch of coastal cliffs and a beachfront cove situated between the pacific costa highway and Pacific Ocean .!!

Amy Hollman

What a great state park! Beaches, tide pools, hikes, clifftop walking paths, lots of restrooms, friendly lifeguards. Covid safety measures universally followed and enforced. Best place I've been since March! Will definitely return before it gets cooler!!

Melody Maleitzke

Gorgeous views of the ocean! Very nice beach! Worth the $15 for parking -- it gets you into all the parking lots associated with Crystal Cove. Lot 4 is very nice with a fantastic view and beach. Also, all lots have restrooms with dressing rooms too! If you have a dog, you can't go on the beach, but you can walk along the bluff views.

mk jones

Crystal Cove State Park is a MUST go, especially if you live in the OC. Stunning beauty, peaceful, can always be warm on the beach if up by the cliff wall. Run, walk, run. Eat at The Beachcomber Cafe or The Shake Shack. Stay at a bungalow or camp at El Moro. Pure natural bliss. A little slice of heaven, every visit!

Jennifer Facchini

Definitely my favorite beach! It's a lot less crowded then the other beaches. It's a bit of a walk from the parking to the beach but definitely worth it.

PJ L

Great place for a walk on the beach and checking out the tide pools with living creatures.

Brian B

Beautiful. The guards at each kiosk were so friendly and informative. The parking was easy ($15 for the day). Walked directly under a bridge to have it open to a beautiful beach. Clean. Few people. Definitely worth a day to spend.

Sinbadd Mora

A beautiful getaway to get away. Find a little spot to layout or do a little hike around the tide pools and rocks. Whatever you choose is a win-win👍☺ …

Gary Medeiros

It's a good place to see lots of broken glass. Kids loved it and were amazed by the pieces of glass.

Noah J.

Beautiful state park!

John Kelly

This is one of our favorite local beaches to frequent. We're State Park passholders so it doesn't cost us anything and we come and go as we please. I prefer The Reef Point entrance which is the South part of the park versus the north entrance where the Beachcomber is located.

Karsen McCarter

Absolutely beautiful area. I could spend all day here walking around and admiring the nature. The price for parking was kind of ridiculous but about what I expected for the area. Would definitely go back someday.

Samantha Ingram

Beautiful for hiking! I thought $15 for a day pass was a bit much when there are lots of other hiking spots in Orange County that are free or only $3-5 for parking, but once I was on the trails I realized they deserve that $15! I did a 7.3 mile loop that included No Name Ridge, Ticketron, Rattlesnake, W. Cut Across, and Poles. They were all well-maintained, clearly marked, and had great scenery. The view at Rattlesnake was absolutely stunning! A must hike! There was even a campsite at one point where I was able to stop and sit at a picnic table in the shade to enjoy lunch, as well as use a portable toilet that was clean and odor-free. Plenty of people were out hiking on a Sunday afternoon, but not too many (in that it wasn't crowded). I did see a ranger ticketing a woman that ignored the "no dogs" signs and was trying to walk her furbaby. So, make sure you read the rules first! Parking is somewhat limited, but there was a good flow of cars both coming and going when I arrived and left, so circle around the lot a few times and you'll probably get lucky. Crystal Cove was so nice, I would definitely come back to hike more! p.s. Since writing this, I have come back to hike Rattlesnake in the opposite direction. Look forward to returning to hike new (and repeat) more trails!

Raila Gaines

Amazing, incredibly clean beach. there are plenty of things you can do like visit the tide pools and explore the caves. It is also a wildlife reserve so there are plenty of little sea animals here, and the natural for of the beach has been preserved.

Samir Gandhi

Great place to hike up the mountains and views of the ocean, beachtown and Catalina island

Raj Kunduru

Easy hike to the beach from the parking lot, showers are accessible outside if the restrooms.

Carrie Ann Hall

Fabulous beach & great backdrop for any silly picture! Please please please don't leave trash & pick up any you may see along the way. Don't think you can park across the street near Trader Joes, they will ticket & tow. Just pay to park, it all goes back to the state to keep our beaches pristine.

J. Kwon

Love this site! I prefer to walk from the Los Trancos Parking lot instead of taking the shuttle. But if you have lots of gear and little kids, the shuttle might be a better bet. If you’re going to eat at The Beachcomber Cafe, make sure you get your parking stub validated. It’ll save you $20 for the parking fee!

フジノまゆみ

A very beautiful bay with beautiful scenery and not many people. It’s a pity that I only visited the beach and didn’t visit other places. I recommend everyone to go there.

Douglas Anderson

There over Easter weekend. Busy but not crowded, 100 yards from entrance plenty of beach space

Klaus Bello

one of the few places which survived commercial development and is a protected time capsule of how SoCal used to be. The long strol on the beach, away from the crowded spots, the charm of the cabins and well maintained and naturally kept sliver of SoCal history is nowhere else kept in such original stage as is it right here. The federally listed Historic District is an enclave of 46 vintage rustic coastal cottages from the 1920's and 1930's nestled around the mouth of Los Trancos Creek. You feel how workers from the Irvine Company and others came here in the 1930's and up for the summer time fun enjoying the time with family and friends. This spot was also the background of many movies. Visit the "Beach Cottage Museum" to learn more, finish your visit walking up the stairs to the Shake Shack with a calorie rich shake. Perfect afternoon!

Jennifer Mills

If you want to do multiple things besides just the beach, it's great! It's about a 10 minute small hike down to the beach, a state park fee, and then tidepool areas below at the beach, it's a great little adventure. You can also just go to relax, but that's a little further down south of the beach. Fun different beach day!

G PLETL

Great park.. Both ocean and trails.. Usually not crowded.. Great way to spend the day..

Sherry Madrous

LOVE LOVE LOVE ❤ coming to this place. It so relaxing. There is a parking fee to get in I believe all day parking is $15 which is pretty good considering you might be staying there almost all day long.

Debbie Rider

I'm from Ohio and we have flat beaches on the East Coast, this was beautiful because of rocky the landscape. The current was rather rough and there are no seashells. I would advise bringing water shoes. I couldn't find any in the area they were all sold out but there are pebble's everywhere rough on your feet. Be careful for larger rocks if I had little kids I would be uncomfortable here. A sight to see for sure.... Crystal Cove state park has many entrances these pictures are from the very south end...

Gennifer Vega

Really nice spot to explore the small tide pools and hang on the beach. If you walk beyond where the restaurant is you can get to more open beach front. There are a lot of spots with rocks, so harder to go out and swim. Only there once, but there was spot for parking up on the hill and a bus that will take people down to the entrance of the beach. I heard the restaurant is really busy at all times, so I would bring your own food.

Traveling Experience

Very good park for biking,hiking, beach experience etc. Park has public restrooms too!

Dillon Connolly

Great views, handicap accessible with a paved path.

Will

Awesome view and well kept grounds. Bathrooms and showers are clean and a must for outdoors folks.

joe rx

We camped at the Lower Moro Campground (primitive tent camping). There were many more groups of people than reservation spots available. It seems some groups did not make reservations for camping and simply claimed camp sites. I wish that the rangers checked each site every evening to ensure people had reservations or allowed people to reserve specific camp sites. Otherwise, was nice hiking camp site. Went with family and was really fun. Hiking up to campsite wasn't leisurely but a good workout.

Heather Welk

Just know to get to the beach area there are stairs. Some are steeper than others. Kinda slippery with sand. Sandals and flip-flops were not a good choice and slipping them off and walking bare for is not a choice. Worth it tho otherwise! Not crowded

Helen Sapienzae

It’s a beautiful beach, looking forward to coming back soon

Hieu “DrScrubs” Do

The place lives up to it's name. Water here is crystal clear. Great ocean view. Lots of rocks when you go a little bit out into the ocean, so be careful of that. On the other hand, you can climb on some of the bigger rocks and get great photos.

Oana Sirb

So surreal looking and so beautiful that I couldn’t believe my eyes. Tidal pools where you can see beautiful anemone and tiny marine creatures, soft, warm sand, all within drive from West Hollywood where our B&B was. Even for a March day, the sun was so strong, that I burnt like a lobster. Sadly, we went in the water and picked up tar on our feet...

Mark “Sol” Gutierrez

Super nice, clean, and normally crowded place to hike. Swim, lounge, walk, or frolic.

Daniel Acton

Beautiful sunset vistas. Fun to jog or stroll by the ocean without commercial businesses.

Tatiana Torres

GreT place for hiking and beach time. There is a lot for day use but it's 15! So if you're just going to hike get there EARLY and park at the top in the smaller hourly lot. A bunch if trails most are what I would call moderate. The back of the mountians/hills have a pretty steady incline so be prepared for that. The sun bears down on thr non beach side of the trails so wear a hat. In regards to the beach it's a great spot but since you're paying die the day pack in a lot of stuff. Clean restrooms. Have not camped here yet.

David Bosworth

Great beach! One of our 'go to' spots on trips to California. Parking lot is across highway but they do run a convenient shuttle. The park has many historic buildings being restored and it adds some extra places to explore in addition to standard beach fun. Apparently you can rent some of the historic cabins on the beach, although we have always gone for the day. Full flush clean bathrooms are in convenient proximity to the beach. Plenty of space to walk and lots of sand to set up umbrellas and chairs. Some beach side restaurants are available too if you want some food at the end of the day. Overall a pleasant beach experience close to the city.

Wan Yim

As with the beaches along the coast, waves too big for casual swimming. Nice sand with sea weed remains. Not too far from the nearest parking lot but deep defend down the cliff. A long coast line to spread the crowd.

Christina Nihira

Lovely stretch of beach in SoCal. Picturesque, natural and beautiful! Expect a steep walk down to the sand which may be hard to pull up/down strollers, wagons and wheelchairs. Doable but could be hard for little children and unstable adults. Be sure to install Parking Passport app in advance. Use it to pay $15 fee Crystal Cove State Park entry fee.

Irene Corona

There are different trails within the area! Ends near the beach and if you get to see the view of the beach while hiking its beautiful . The trials are all a loop so you will not get lost just keep walking

RieNamkrow

Its pretty, but the main issue we had is theres really no paths or accessibility for the disabled so my step mom had trouble getting to the beach or crystal cove. I also just don't think its worth the hype, its too expensive for what you get to see or do.

RJ

One of the top 10 best SoCal beaches! Definitely try and go when it's low tide so you can actually see the tide pools. Just a beautiful beach, with a lot of space to spread out and enjoy a sunny day with your friends and family.

Eric Arellano

Great beach. Love exploring the tide pools

Luke Frerichs

This is a great family/walking beach. A lot less crowded and hectic than nearby Laguna. Ample parking, and a much more natural experience. A huge beach without the crowds. Lots of interesting rocks and pools.

Chris Edwards

Great state park with a very private beach. Beautiful views and mAny trails. The campground looked nice but we were only here for day use.

Zeno Chien

Crystal Cove State Park hiking along the sea shore is beautiful. I love the long trail that I can select which section of the trail I should hike on. The hiking trails are along the coast line which allow me admire the ocean views along the way.

Christopher Sandoval

One of the most beautiful beaches I have been to. Beware though, you will have have to work for the reward of the beach. There is a little hike from the parking lot to the beach, but in my opinion it is worth it.

Annette Loosq3eeswow99w

Wonderful beach! Restroom and changing room near parking lot. Parking was $15. Steep steps to get to beach but not crowded on a Friday afternoon and absolutely beautiful!

Kim Williamson

My new favorite beach. It’s beautiful and along with the beach, there is a long, winding running/walking trail with great views. We stopped at the Beachcomber Cafe and had their mah—mahi spring rolls which were amazing. The restaurant is right on the beach and you can eat outdoors or inside.

Wendell Hutchins II

The views, serenity, and sounds of crashing waves makes this seaside State Park one of my favorite places to walk! Whether your enjoying the breathtaking beauty from the bluffs, or strolling with your feet in the sand, your sure to be dazzled into a ‘relaxed’ state of mind.

Ankit Patel

There are many beaches in the area around Newport Beach, but if you’re looking for one less crowded and surrounded by nature, Crystal Cove State Park is a great place to spend an entire day. With 3.2 miles of sandy beach and 2,400 acres of wilderness, Crystal Cove is one of the county’s largest protected nature areas. During your explorations of the park, you’ll see high cliffs, canyons, and tide pools, and you’ll be able to take a refreshing dip in the clear waters. A camping area is located in the park if you wish to stay overnight.

Cinema Life Weddings

Crystal Cove is a great place to have your wedding! It is perfect for that beach vibe wedding, we highly recommend having your wedding day here! Also holding your reception at the beach comber cafe, the food is amazing and the views are breathtaking.

Tracy Coulson

Gorgeous views. Love the historic cottages, makes one envious of the simpler time in CA.

W C

Beautiful view of the ocean/ beach while walking a very easy paved trail (I walked in flip flop). Plenty of clean restrooms, take food and picnic on beach or go to a nice cozy little restaurant, either way, a nice relaxing day if spent there all day.

Staci Steed

One of the less crowded, relaxing beaches we went to in southern California. But not over by the expensive food places... That was busy and chaotic.

Andy Ɖáwʊɖa W

Great beaches and viewpoints without the crowded parking of the nearby cities. Loved The functioning showers and relatively clean restrooms. The $15 daily rate seems expensive but is is similar to other state beach parking rates and it allows exit and reentry at any of their parking lots. Definitely recommend it. Hit the like button if this review helps you!

Nunya Bizness

The most beautiful beach I've ever seen, but Google Maps took me through a toll road to get there and it was $15 for the day even when we got there at 3:00 pm. Beach closes at sunset and we were told they start ticketing 40 min after sunset. To me, watching the sun melt into the water is my favorite part. It was quite a hike down to the water and we didn't want a ticket so we left before the sun set. :(

Warren Wilderson

Excellent coastal preserve with top notch facilities (paved parking, flush toilets and drinking fountains). Extensive network of hiking trails, well marked and maintained. Excellent views of the Pacific and pieces of the coast. Lots of wildlife. Downsides include a steep $15 entry fee and marginally helpful park staff.

Trevor Carlton

Beautiful! And only $5 to park for 1 hr and explore. I highly recommend pulling over for this short but breathtaking experience

Venise H “Veneckyclam”

Beautiful and amazing landscape and scenery! Loved the beach there ! Dogs on leash are not allowed on the beach but are allowed on the trail.

Srividhya C

Has stunning views all through the hike and the hike ends at the beach unless you do a round trip. FYI, the tunnel is the way to get to the beach.

Carla Peeples

Nice sunset hike. We did a moderate level hour and half hike. Map is odd, hard to know if in the right place. We survived!

M Minier

Really love this area! It has really nice tide pools, good food options all close by. Due to covid the little shops and visitor's center is closed, but it's still my favorite place to go. Fun place to do my sand art!

Alex

Very nice park near Newport Beach with miles of walkable beaches and stunning views. Parking in the camping area gets tricky as sometimes the pedestrian tunnel gets too much water so you can’t cross under PCH but if you park on the other side you’re good. The parking pass is valid the entire day and as far as I know it works in other state parks, too!

Michael

Loved fresh air and the ocean breeze. You kind of meet the powerful elements of nature face to face. There is something magical about this place that makes you want to come back. There are a lot of spectacular rocks around and during the ebb you can spot colonies of anemones on them. Recommended as a romantic getaway hike for couples that love nature.

Nicoyya

It was so much fun hiking, you can choose easy to difficult trails. Parking is 20+ a day.

C. A.

Love this place. Be prepared to walk in water through the tunnel to the water from the lower grounds. The people that come here are not always nice. Some are snooty or rude but the staff and land make up for it.

Lorena Bojorquez

Amazing location. Not too crowded and water is clear

Daniela Attisano

It's a nice beach, great to walk, hike or just enjoy the sun and the tide pools. There are bathrooms, some picnic tables and trash cans. The access to the beach is a little steep but it's paved. Is not good for kids who enjoy playing in the waves or bodyboarding because there are many rocks.

Matt Silverton

Great spot to explore the Pacific coastline. The beach is lovely, take a picnic, you could easily spend the day infront of tbe deserted fisherman's cottages.

Melanie Herrmann

Great tide pool, clean bathrooms, good for walking. Steep hill to and from and definitely NOT for surfing.

Emily Dixon

Crystal Cove was such a nice and well taken care of beach. I really appreciate places like this where there is still some nature on the coast. I think is was $15 for our car for the whole day but very worth it to have a natural, well taken care of, beach to enjoy. You do have to walk down, and eventually back up, a very steep ramp to get to the back from the parking area. I imagine if you are not super mobile this might be a little challenging. When we were there we had a large piece of beach to ourselves to enjoy which is always appreciated in orange county. There are bathrooms by the parking area and trashcans available. The rangers seem to do a great job!

Timothy Donovan

An absolutely wonderful environment. plenty of easy trails and beautiful scenery. Ample parking that is not too pricey. There are beautiful vistas of the rugged California coast. On a clear day you can see Catalina. Hopefully we will all be able to enjoy Laguna Beaches, they are beautiful and worth the wait.

Mike Reid

CC state park is amazing no matter the weather, sunny or cloudy you always get a great view with wonderful and refreshing sea breezes.

Anne Haile

Beautiful wide beach. Enjoyable to walk along. The cliffs add visual interest. A restaurant, a bar, historic homes and small museum all add to the enjoyment for a variety of people.

Stuart Hughes

A lovely beach with pleasant Plath on the headland. I just wish I could bring my dog

Diana Mian

Very nice Beach. We enjoyed it. It was a bit long climb down a little bit harder climb up for me. But we had tons of fun

stephen white

A bit crowded for parking but park on the north end and walk on the beach to beachcomber café do you have a awesome meal. Get there early. Café right on the beach

Steven Nguyen

Beautiful park along PCH in Laguna Beach, you could find short trails to the beach and enjoy a great view

Marylea E

The rangers were wonderful. The views were divine. Great campsites right across from ocean. Nice nature informative kiosks and lots of trails. Underpass to beach was flooded when we were there, but still stunningly gorgeous!

Rosemary Barnes

Beautiful sunsets and gorgeous cliffs that meet the ocean. My husband and I love to come here to enjoy the seashore and to avoid the crowds of Newport Beach.

Jen E

This is a very quiet park and beach area. It was great for a quiet walk, but the beach was mostly rocks.

Greg Kampf

Wonderful location for the entire family if you are ok with the short hike. Prestine beach. Ample parking.

Dan Kehrig

Would have been better at low tide! But even high tide you could find crabs and beautiful little creatures! Would get 5 stars because it was super clean but you have to pay for the shuttle (driver was an awesome Whistler!!!) and having to pay for parking stinks! Otherwise perfect place to go at LOW TIDE!!!!

Brianna Dominguez

To be honest, I expected more! Might have been the time of year; I visited in October 2020. Everything was super dry, the day was very very hot and there is absolutely no shade provided by trees bc there aren't any! There wasn't much to look at, mostly dirt and bushes. However, Once we hit 600 ft of elevation, there was a beautiful view of the ocean. In my opinion, this isn't really a hike, the pathways are very wide and it seems more of a bike ride trail. When I think of a hike, I imagine myself inside the mountains with lots of trees and making my way over rocks/ roots on the narrow pathways and surrounded by rustling/ noises made by a variety of birds/animals. I didnt get that vibe here. Nonetheless, ** A HUGE PLUS *** the beach is across the street which saved the experience. Playing in the tide pools at Reef Point was so much fun and the water was beautiful, also wasn't very crowded. Lots of sea life to/ "rocks" to climb & explore We paid 15$ of parking at the ranger station on the app and then just drove about 3 mins to Reef Point. The parking zone was the same (205) so don't need to pay for parking again to go to the beach :) Also, wish I would've taken photos at the beach, sorry!

Aristides Ioannides

We were lucky enough to attend a wedding at Crystal Cove and it was amazing.

Scott t

It has great nature paths with views off the cliffs and a pretty nice beach area

Robert De La Torre

Keep your dogs home and off the beach beautiful sensitive habitat that you can enjoy

Devi San Martin

It wasn't crowded, at the beach the parking lot is just for handicapped, each hour parking fee is $5 with a limit of $15. The general parking is across the pch and you go under it trough a tunel...to the beach...

April C

It's extra gorgeous right now with all the wildflowers. Adding color to the mountains above the already stunning views of the crystal blue water here.

A JEFFERSON

I always love goingnto.Crystal Cove beach. A small community within a community. Everything you need right on the beach. PERFECT!

Ivan Gonzalez

Love this place. Amazing ocean view, great beach, a great walking trail.

Jerry Lucas

Enjoying an afternoon workout on the shore at Crystal Cove State Park. Nice waves, a few cliffs dolphins swimming off shore and shore birds looking for food. Very nice afternoon!

C T

A great place for a picnic, a day at the beach but I come here to Scuba Dive. Good facilities. Lots of stairs do make diving a challenge but their are many beautiful reefs and pinnacles and kelp forests. Lots of gerabaldi, bass, lobster and you can find eels and octopus. Parking is a bit pricey but it's by the car so fill up the car :)

Tess Hines

Beautiful Sandy beach with tide pools, Cliffs, public Restrooms, and trails. Not very windy since the Cliffs offer some protection. Surprisingly not too crowded even on a weekend. Plenty of space to spread out from other beach goers. If I am ever in the area I would definitely visit again.

Bobby Mann

Loved this place. For me it's the best beach in OC. Visited just as the car parks were at 50% capacity but other than that it's fantastic. Parking is $15 for the whole day

Joey Hazlett

Very nice beach if you just like to splash in the shallows. Lots of rocks preclude deeper swimming unless you're very careful. Much less crowded than other beaches nearby, but there is a pretty long, steep walk to the beach access. It is paved though, so wheeled carts are a good idea of you have a lot of stuff to bring with you. There's a lot more wildlife at this beach, be careful stepping into the water. I almost stepped on a tiny stingray or skate or something hunting/filter feeding as the waves washed up and down the beach. Probably harmless, but creepy nonetheless.

Michelle “Unicorn Sparkles” Perez

Awesome hike! Great views! I took the kids (i have on disabled daughter and she did it!!) so I would say pack up the whole family and enjoy some great trails. No shade so make sure u coat on the sunscreen. $15 dollars to park for the day which I think is incredibly expensive!! But after 5pm until sunset its $5. There are bathrooms at the entrance.

Morgan Storms

Lovely, clean beach and clean restrooms, easy to pay parking and lots of it. This is a great place to take the family.

Albert Santoyo

Always a great place to visit. Sun wasn't copperating but still hadca good time.

L Simmons

We visited the day after a big rain, the paths and the beach were fine for walking. Picturesque and great natural area.

Amanda Brown Tortorici, PhD, RD, CSCS

This place is seriously magical! I walked down to the beach since I was staying up at the campgrounds. I believe daily parking here is $15. You walk under the highway to get to the beach. Maybe check the tide before going to make sure you can walk all the way over to the left if you want to go near the cliff with the giant house on top. There's not too much beach here, so it would be impossible to walk across at high tide. Parking fills up quickly so get there early. There are trails you can access as well. You can see signs for maps, and there are plenty of picnic tables to hang out.

Z. Cai

This place is absolutely beautiful. Standing on the clifftop here, you can really understand why people choose to stay in California. Great place to take those Instagram pictures so you can show off to your friends as well. Come at sunset to the Reef Point lot for awesome views of the sunset. Also great jogging down on the beach (if you're into getting sand everywhere and having the additional struggle of walking in sand added to your exercise routine).

Jeff Skogstad

Friendly park rangers and beautiful access to the beach. Multiple parking lots with scenic paths from pavement to sand.

Rob Schneiderman

This is a great spot. Crystal Cove is the prefect place to take an early morning walk. It is almost always cool, misty and not very crowded in the morning. It gets busy during the summer in the afternoon.

Richard Bay-Ramyon

Beautiful spot for locals and tourists! Didn't like some of the weirdos walking around ! Heard an orchestra out there practicing which was really cool ! You feel the Spirit of God as you look out to the Pacific

Sam Smash TM

Breath taking views. Beautiful location and definitely looking forward to camping here again

Brown Michael

Lot of wash from rains. Single track trails sketchy. Uncrowded even on a weekend in el invierno!

Aaron Prohaska

Beautiful day, beautiful place. Make sure to check tide schedule so you can view the tide pools.

Steph J

Such an amazing calm environment... $15 parking

Anne Bradley

We visited the park in November and walked the beach and trails astounded by the beauty of the place. Being from Canada the cooler temperatures did not bother us! A must for families and a great place to go running!

kim Champagne

This was such a beautiful place. Every campsite has a beautiful view of the beach. A very high end area. This image is from my RV bedroom window. This place must be experienced.

Nichole Benitez

I can't say enough about this! Its beautiful. Parking is $15 and so worth it! The water was warmer than other beaches and the beaches were super clean.

Laureen

We stayed in El Morro Campground in Crystal Cove State Park. The campground used to be very barren when they first opened it. Since then the native foliage has grown in and you get a lot more privacy. Problem is that the foliage is so dead right now. I know that's just the way it is, but it's very unattractive. Also, I think they should change the rules in these campgrounds. People shouldn't be using generators that wake you up in the morning. They need to make it later in the day like between 10:00 and 4:00 or something like that. It's ridiculous coming to a Beach Campground wanting to listen to the beach and instead getting to hear your loud rude neighbor run their generator in the morning. Some people are just rude, inconsiderate or possibly stupid.

Emma

Great place to relax and hike. Walking alongside the beach you get a great workout. Walking on sand is a challenge.

Zackary Navarro

I've been here a dozen of times but every time doesn't disappoint. The parking is $15 dollars but worth it. Granted it takes a bit to find a place TO park but still. Its a bit of a walk from your car to the park but worth it. The restrooms are fine. They have Benches to eat not far from the beach. Beautiful, literally no one, and good views Overall, This is the beach to go to.

Andrew Sanders

Nice place to hike around! Would highly recommend if you're from out of town

Peggie Rodriguez

Amazing and we were able to get in right on the 4th of July! Not sure how that happened! We much to our surprise we had a huge fireworks show right in the water in front of the campground plus we were in the best site! The camp rangers and volunteers are amazing and this is the prettiest campground RV site in Orange County for sure and maybe in all of southern California! There is hiking within feet there is the beach access very close and the cliffs and the blue waters are amazing! If you need anything your minutes away from Laguna beach downtown and newport coast which has restaurants or anything you need close by if you want to leave to campground and go sightseeing or go to an amazing restaurant in the area! The thing I like the most about this campground as you can hear the waves at night and you have a literal feeling like you're right on top of the ocean!

Krystina Jarema

Great trail running spot! You have to come early on the weekends due to parking limitations. You also have to pay for parking via the passport app or have a state parks pass

Araceli Burket

Beautiful, spacious, and there are trails nearby too. Love it.

Dominique Tran

Amazing state park with unrivaled coastlines and sunset views. Parking is easy and accessible, there are clean restrooms, not much more one can ask for.

Minh Lam

Crystal Cove is a gem of a beach located in So Cal. Don't miss a visit!

Jeff Hick

If you have the State Parks pass, this place is a dream come true. Good parking, nice easy walkable trails, and long flat beaches with tide pools. Not a long of people. Great place to take a OneWheel

Nico Cantrell

Beautiful views both on the beach and alongside the ridge overlooking the beach and the water. Truly a beautiful spot with an untouched beach and a lovely sunset view

Marina Sais

Beautiful! Great for day trip, camping trip and even better post backpacking trip!

Hamza Memon

Beautiful place! Amazing views of Corona Del Mar Beach. It’s a huge place and would not be easy to cover the whole thing in one day. You can find parking at these two locations. Los Trancos Parking lot - $5/hr Crystal Cove Parking lot- $15 All day (You can use the app Passport Parking) Do not park in any of the nearby residential houses or the mall. You might end up getting a ticket!

Asher Gorelik

Park extends up the shore from the north end of Laguna Beach along the coast highway for about 3-4 miles. Around the middle of the park is a group of historic beach cottages and the Beachcomber restaurant. The Shake Shack (not part of the park) is above, just off the highway. North section of park has a walking / biking trail that runs about 2 miles from the cottages north. Several restrooms and dog stations along the way. Several spurs that lead to scenic outlooks and stairs down to the beach. Several parking lots in north section and across the highway with a connecting tunnel. $5 / hour or $15 for the day. Highly recommended.

Betty Shine

Super nice view, but parking is the big problem in here, only few for use. Recommend for adults, kids will feel boring.

Ron Quintana

Beautiful relaxing place. Ask for $10 parking if you're not going to be going in and out.

Matt Nesbit

One of the most beautiful spots in all of California. Magical and uplifting! A visit here will nourish your soul.

Margie Liu

Clean little gem. Lifeguards on duty. Parking is $15 all day in-n-out.

Tiffany Jensen

Beautiful beach with hiking on the bluffs and clear water.

Travis Cisneros

This was a wonderful visit. It's refreshing to see the California coast in it's natural untouched state. Highly recommended for visitors and locals.

Ra Ra

Amazing! Loved it!The Ranger that checked us in was super nice and welcoming. Enjoyed every minute of it!

Maria D.

$15 for a day's parking opens possibilities for all day hiking and/or a day at a scenic, cliff-lined beach. Bring water for the hikes as there is little shade. Trails are 2+ miles long. Good times!

lytleflores

Beautiful spot. We got here late and we didn't get to enjoy the hiking trails, definitely will be back!

Cornel Hunter

Always a beautiful hike. I wish the parking was a little better. The restaurant has now been discovered and the wait times are lengthy but ... check out the waiting area! Really! A stroll down Crystal cove state beach while waiting. Not bad.

Troy N

This is a great beach for those with smaller kids and is relatively uncrowded for beaches in this area. It's $15 for entry/day parking per car. There is a public bathroom on the top near the parking but nothing on the beach where I was. There was an area to swim and an area for surfing when you hit the beach. Be sure to bring something for shade if you'll be there for a while because it can get hot. The water is California norm but my kids didn't seem affected by it. Definitely coming back for another visit when I'm in the area.

felipe galvan

Loved it, great beach to swim in and to capture magnificent sunset pictures.

Adam Lauritzen

Very nice beach that wasn't too crowded.

Arthur Sosa Jr.

Always a good place to go to get away from crowded beach. Also very good place to go for a walk or run or even some hiking. The only drawback is you have to walk down to the beach from the bluff/parking and sometimes it can be a good hike but that keeps the crowds away as well.

Matt Jew

Beaches were clean and uncrowded with a wonderful view of Crystal Cove!

Matt Korn

Absolutely gorgeous beach and hiking. Worth the drive and the somewhat challenging hike up to the canyon ridge line to see the incredible views of the ocean.

Mai Tran

A local’s favorite hiking trail. Views of beautiful homes and neighborhoods. Get here early to avoid crowds, secure good parking spots and avoid the heat! There’s a park with restroom at the beginning of the trail.

Robert Dryden

Wanna hike near the beach?! This is the place to go. A great workout with amazing views! And then you have Laguna Beach right next door!

Elina Bascom

Kids had a great time playing in the tide pools, seeing the sea urchins, and we even saw a seal!

Robin Guevara

Beautiful and clean beach. Love the free beach wheelchair we were able to use for my mom.

Richie Jhw

gan be re! "Japanese school....." karen cough is here beach is unique and pretty, hope go back again soon

Mark Moreno (HD_Warfstache)

Overall amazing and the park ranger was extremely helpful and would recommend to tourists and other visitors looking for quality family and fun time.

Vishwas Bodani

always a great place to hike. scenic views, beautiful trails, awesome morning weather. Clean park, clean restrooms, plenty of parking.

Bruh moment

Awesome place went here for a school field trip. It’s a great thing what they are doing to save all of the plants but only the native ones. Beach view is awesome I loved going there actually went there twice wish I could go

Kumar Vaibhav

I just visited the Crystal Cove Beach and it is a nice beach. It is clean with good view.

Erik Olsen

This is the place to go in Orange County to get away from the crowds. There is a $15 parking fee, which probably keeps a lot of people away. But the beaches are clean and lovely with some great tide pools to explore.

J Hammy

Amazing place. Our favorite beach!

Grant Rockstad

This beach feels like a hidden paradise, very fine sand though... We love it!

A Martinez

Awesome place just be ready to have fun bring snacks, sun block, umbrella and the time to explore with the eyes wide open.

Alyssa Pfluger

Absolutely stunning. Such a gorgeous beach and I could have watched the waves for hours

Philippe Tusler

It's always beautiful. The view of the bluffs, the beach, the sea, the boats, Catalina, San Clemente Island, and even the birds, is unique and breathtaking

Raja Ramakrishnan

Beautiful beach with lot of space to walk or run. They charge $5 state park fee to use the beach.

Tia Sen

The view is amazing and we love the tide pools here.

sharona coatney

Beautiful beach🌊 I found many pieces of Sea Glass and got away from Politics.. …

Jonathan Salomon

Amazing park, the beach is clean as you'd expect for Orange County

Martin Ortiz

Incredible scenery and lots of wildlife! Great place just to kickback and relax!

Cyrus Green

Beautiful beach. Family friendly. Love the tide pools. Police and lifeguard presence to keep everyone safe. Clean restrooms. Park staff are friendly and maintain park throughout the day. Outdoor showers to rinse off before getting back into your car. Very long beach.

José Antonio Tizón Caro

A lot of hikes with an easy path. It goes from short to longs like 10 miles loop

Shannon Pink

Wonderful place for a walk or run on the cliffs or sand. Much less crowded than public beaches. I think people are deterred by the cost of parking. Nice tide pools, beautiful spring flowers.

Nancy C

Love this hike always!!! But this time we got lost... 2hrs like became 5.5hrs!!! Awesome nonetheless!

Edward Teitel

Absolutely beautiful beach and hiking areas. Very low crowds at all days so ideal for landscape photography on beachside or mountain side of Pacific Coast Highway.

Almita A

For anyone that needs to just breathe, go for a walk. This place will remind you why it’s all worth it

Gowri Nataraj

We stopped by to watch the sunset . Nice location and views . Great place to watch sunsets and to take photographs.

Malcolm Smith

Beautiful Beach. Food options at the far north end. Great beach with rocks to sit and play on. Clean, not much trash, if any. Ramp at far north part of beach and stairs on either end. Public restrooms at both ends. About 3/4 of a mile of beach... If it is longer than that, the beauty makes it seem shorter.

JiM Shipman

A wonderful and peaceful place to be. Excellent hiking and swimming. Beautiful sights and waves. A few rocks in the water (large rocks) nothing to worry about if you keep your eyes open.

Lu Raven

Definitely one of those spots to stop and park just to watch the sunset. Lots of walking paths to hike, but not to get to the shore.

Kirin Sanchez

I love how the water drifts lightly on the sand and all the rock formations amazing for kids had a blast!! It's a little walk with a steep hill down or stairs on the opposite side. Overall worth the killer work out after!!!

Yesenia Anguiano

Cleanest Beach I have ever been too. Plenty of parking and it's only 15 dollars. You can leave to grab a bike and come back as it's valid for 24 hours. Location is in state park and you can hike and then come to the beach.

Dan Truong

Lots of parking but expensive ($15 in 2022), nice bay sand beach with some nice multi color pebbles. The hills are dry with 4ft bushes. We did not see any life in the tide pools we looked at. There is a beach restaurant and a bar that are very busy on weekends, and a burger & malts joint that’s also crowded with little parking. I found the park has WiFi in the parking lot. There’s multiple parking areas, the ticket is valid all day and you can re park with it at any location with it.

David Glatt

I hiked around the “Around the Park” which is about 9 miles. It took me 3 hrs at a 20 minute per mile pace. Parking is $15. There are some really great views of the ocean, and places along the way to back country camp. However, when they say strenuous, they mean it. There is a ton of up and down hills, and they’re steep hills too. If you’re not up for it, definitely consider doing an easier hike or budget in some extra time for rests (the park says it should take 4.5 hours for this hike). I didn’t see any scary wildlife although I saw about 100 rabbits and every time they moved in the bushes I jumped about 3 ft expecting it to be a mountain lion lol. I definitely recommend camping at one of the morro camp grounds, (Upper is probably better) because the third one is in a valley and there aren’t many views. If you hike directly to Upper morro and back from there, the hike is about 3-4 miles each way and significantly less strenuous than going all the way around. Really great state park and I’ll definitely be back to visit.

Christopher W Kelly, Esq.

The Laguna coast is famed throughout the world for its stunning scenery. I've heard about Crystal Cove for years, and can't believe I've never been here. Miles of unspoiled, pristine beaches and bluffs, rocks and tidepools, coves and canyons -- a nice, unhurried walk down the length of the beach and back. Not too many people (at least in late March,) but parking is always an issue along this stretchy of coast -- check the weather in advance, arrive early and wait for the sun if you have to.

Sydney Mauve

Beautiful place! Bring lots of water and watch out for rattle snakes

Angaleza Adams

Fun place for family beach time. Hard to get to though.

Kara Drake

Lots of fun for families. Also there are a lot of stairs from parking down to the beach, if you have a stroller or wheelchair be prepared to carry it.

Raptor Alvarado

Took a nice hike here with Cub Scout Pack166. A wonderful and beautiful experience showing them the natural beauty of this diverse park. Strongly recommend for beginners and professionals alike.

Amir Mitha

This is a beautiful park and beach. Great place for a morning walk. There are lots of pathways, and beach access.

Makoto Nishimaki

Tunnel access to beach was nice, doesnt get as crowded as other beaches. Goto south parking lot, east side of freeway. near the shuttle pick up, you will see restrooms, the path down to tunnel starts next to restrooms

Chuck Hayden

Beautiful walk on the beach! Very quiet and peaceful!

Mark T

Andif you're going to do a loop after you drop down in the canyon you're going to need some serious legs to make the climbs out, there is a reason why they call it the elevator..... rattlesnake trail rock garden had to choose a line and walked one section.... After the rock garden the narrow single track was almost overwhelmed with mustard bushes....felt like the bushes were the weed-wacker and I was the weeds!!

Chris Norton

Beautiful beach. Not too crowded. Nice trails to walk along the coast

Colby Hollabaugh

This is a beautiful state park, that provides access to Crystal Cove State beach and has miles of gorgeous hiking.

Leo R.

Great little hidden gem. If you can find your way down to the beach you will have a nice pristine part of the beach that is not too crowded. There are some great hiking spots and restaurants to enjoy.

Erin Mcguire

First time in California and stopped by this park. Wow!! What a view. It was absolutely beautiful.

Vladislava Johnson

Favorite beach in Cali. It's a state park, so it is very clean and deff less crowded!

Lis Weller

Good walk but all in the open, loop trails are lots of elevation change but the out and back only gets step at the ocean side

Emilio Reyes Le Blanc

No shade. Big climb. Zero amenities once you’re on the trail. But — golly — are the views epic. Bring a lot of water, thick quads, and a camera.

Jessica Nicole

One of my favorite beaches in California! The surrounding hills are gorgeous as well - many great hiking trails as well as a campground with ocean views. The cost for parking is very affordable and the people working here are friendly and helpful if you have questions. The beach is peaceful and very beautiful, it is much less busy than nearby beaches. During low tide it is fun to go at the end of the beach where the rocks are to see crabs, winkles, whelks and other sea critters 🦀

Monty McDaniel

Great place. We were there on a Wednesday and had the beach to ourselves.

neha bhandari

A more secluded and peaceful beach. You can almost get the feeling of a private beach. Though there is a $15 parking charges it is so worth it for that precious quality family time. The path is a bit long and difficult but once you get there it is so worth the effort. The beach is more clean compared to other beaches nearby. The restrooms we went to were clean (which is usually not the case in beaches).

Jae-Mari McNeill

It is nice and calm it's not too populated so there's not many people there and there is wild life you can look at it's very beautiful but going up and down the hill is the hardest part wether you take the stairs or the trail but it's worth it

Edith Argomaniz

Cold day but beautiful view of the ocean. Wonderful way to spend the day with family.

Irene Gonzalez

Really relaxing. Beautiful view. Clean.

Terry Wells

What can you say about blue skies and a beautiful ocean view. Very clean and not many people during the week. Buy the annual pass for parking.

Sharon Flint

Beautiful! Was very quiet. People but mot packed. Nice walk down the coast.

Peter Goff

Absolutely beautiful. My wife and I left our shoes by some rocks to walk in the surf and they were stolen. That was a bummer, so enjoy the beauty of the park and don't leave your stuff unsupervised!

Dave Sanders

Went here mid-week, in mid-April, to hike the Moro Canyon/ Moro Ridge loop. Nice workout, mostly fire roads; some recovering burn areas along south side of Ridge Trail. More hikers than bikers. Clear views of Catalina, and coast North. Saw quail, roadrunner, two blooming poppies, and no snakes.

Maria Menendez

Awesome campground! Fabulous views. A terrific variety of activities available such as hiking and the beach. Nice restaurants.

Ismael Romo

Vey fun hike with so many different trails to take.

Alastair Dawson

Such a beautiful beach and great to experience the tide pools

david boice

Beautiful place in the OC, nice beach and tide pools to check out the local marine life.

Alana Sky

Beautiful state park. The ocean is right there. Beautiful weddings and 🐎 horseback riding...A dream ride.... …

Amy Bourgea

Awesome park with very clean bathrooms and lots of hiking paths.

Jillian Z

It’s a large area to walk around. Nice view of the ocean above and on the beach. Plenty of parking as well.

Julia Bogdan

Always good to visit. Nice beach.

Rob Oldroyd

This is a very nice beach and a fun place to hang out. The nature preserve is very impressive. There is a bit of a walk from the parking lot down to the beach but it is worth it.

Christine Ramirez

It's absolutely beautiful !! And a must see- but be willing to walk

Dan Jackobs

No matter what time of year Crystal Cove Beach has something beautiful for everyone. Just walking along the beach, exercising, looking for shells, or just hanging out. Great beach if you like low key!

Jaime Perez

Great hike with great views. The only down side to the hike is the fact that you can't bring pets due to wild life.

Joelogicall8

One of many great beaches always a gem

Omar Pachas

Performed my first wedding ceremony as an ordained minister with The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Carol Crawford

Well maintained trails, lots of options for distance & elevation. Beautiful views.

Denis LeClair

Crystal Cove State Beach is the most pristine, natural and undistrubed beach in California. If I were to sail into this cove 400 years ago..it would look as it does today.. A Virgin Beach.

[ David ]

Great walking path along the beach. Great spot for sunset pictures!

Ricardo Tavares

Great scenery and plenty of parking spaces. The tidepools allow people to see tiny fishes and crabs. Overall very clean and nice

Luan Vu

The hike was a bit tiring but totally worth it for the view

Desirae Engel

So nice. The beach is awesome. Different stairways or ramps to get to it. Not as crowded as other beaches. Bathrooms and showers available.

BEHNAM Bavarian

Folks, this is hidden location jewel in Orange County. It is a very long stretch of beach with beautiful rock formations and serene walk on wet sands. Well you need to do it early early in the morning, say start at 6am, just before sunrise. A wonderful walk for an hour or so.

traviesa g

Nice area glad we found it the walk to the beach isn't too bad a small hike down the hill

Jose Malfavon

This was a beautiful place but I chose it because google said it was a great place for sea shells and sea glass. Guess what. Not ONE shell. Nothing.

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