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Crystal Cove State Park
Rating Details »
8471 Pacific Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-3539
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-3539
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
27 reviews for Crystal Cove State Park
What a beautiful park, great for day hikes or just to spend some time to be alone. This is a great place to find peace and serenity and peace of mind. Oh and I write a lot of poems here, too!! I even wrote one today. I hope you all enjoy!--
A GREAT NOVEL
A great love once
left an empty paper pad behind
on my desk
and then left me behind
It took me a long time to realize
that this was more
than just any notebook.
I wrote many things in it
I wrote many poems
I wrote many thoughts.
It wasn't the story of you
It wasn't the story of me
It was the story of us
It took me a long time to realize
that this too,
was a gift
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It was such a beautiful day! The air was still at the beginning of the hike, but a nice breeze greeted us when we needed it the most! We took No Name Ridge up to the first gate and found shade under a tree to rest and have ourselves a little snack. We would've taken a right turn onto Ticketron then Deer Canyon and made a loop back to No Name Ridge, but was told by a friendly older couple that the trail would take us further into the park and it would be an uphill climb back to the parking lot. As we both had things to do later that night, we opted to do an out and back instead and save Ticketron for another day.
Beautiful ocean and mountain views!! I would definitely like to explore more of the trails at this park. There are bathrooms (albeit a bit unkempt) at the parking lot and it's $15 per car for a day pass.
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great place to come clear your mind + go for a nice walk
I don't think I've ever reviewed a non-foodie place before, but I love this place so much.
Crystal Cove is a GREAT day hike. It's not too hard, with some steep inclines and declines but overall just a steady pace (depending on your choices of trails of course)
If you've got an eye for nature, take the Northern trails back towards the entrance (I think it's called red-deer canyon or something) You'll be hiking on rolling hills that are dotted with yellow-gold flowers, with tall rushes soaring high on either side that fade into the afternoon sun. Every now and then you'll see a spectacular burst of soft violet brush draped across and around the thousands of vivid orange and gold flowers. If you stop and take a deep breath and look up, not only will you get a lungful of fresh, ocean air but also see the vast Pacific sparkling right in front of you. It's only right across the street from the hike anyway, and on a beautiful southern california day you can clearly see Catalina Island in the distance.
I've come here early in the morning when the fog was still settling in from the water and silence echoes around you with a sleepy, blue-gray reverence. I've also come here in the late afternoon to evening, and it's one of THE best places to see a sunset gently cascade over water and land. If you're lucky, you can see hawks catching and soaring on the wind looking like they're having a great time.
It's 10 dollars for parking, but if there are other cars and you catch someone leaving they might give you their ticket. Vice versa if you leave, hook someone up :)
There's a dry riverbed, don't take the riverbed itself it leads to a dead-end after a couple hours, BOTH ways.
And finally, afterwards you can go across the street to the Shake shack, or my personal favorite after a nice hike - Islands Restaurant.
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Love this beach! I came during 4th of July weekend on July 3rd. I came around noon and that was before the crowds started showing up. But its nothing like the HB, NB, or LB crowds. The water was freezing, literally. It was so beautiful, but I saw the coolest wildlife. The water was so clear, I cook see my legs!
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I'd give it 6 if I could. It's gorgeous. I am not handicapped but wanted to mention that they rent beach wheelchairs and you can drive and drop off people very close to the beach there if that is a need. I've never seen that at any other beaches and thought that was cool. Even some of the old cottages are reserved for the disabled.
The beach is breathtaking, the hikes are fun, the rock formations are really great to look at - very unusual. Great place for anyone and everyone. A must see beach. Perfect.
Wonderful beach walking.
If you park at Los Traces you can get your parking validated at the Beachcomber restaurant. A shuttle, underground walkway, and crosswalk can get you across the Pacific Highway and on the beach.
Somewhat hidden, but a quiet beauty to explore...
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Ugh, I almost don't want to Yelp Crystal Cove....I feel like it's one of those secret places that few of us know about.
I like the beach, but HATE the crowds at places like Huntington Beach, Newport, etc. I can't stand the loud crowds, shops everywhere, children everywhere acting out of their minds, and parking situations that give me migraines. Okay, you pay $10 for parking at Crystal Cove, but you can always find a spot without any trouble. (Also, it's a State Park, technically, so the $$ will help pay for maintenance and to keep the place clean.) It's NEVER crowded....which is just how I like it. You can always find a nice spot to lay out your blanket, have a picnic, read a book, toss the football...nice and peaceful.
There are not a lot of amenities. There are picnic benches and restrooms up near the parking, but the beach itself is down this kind of cliff....you either have to deal with a ton of stairs or a steep path.
The beach itself is BEAUTIFUL I have about a million pictures of it. If your idea of a good time at the beach is nice and relaxing.....getting away from all the SoCal craziness, pure Catcher in the Rye type of stuff....this is the place to be.
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I always imagine this is what the beach used to be like before Southern California became an overcrowded throng. Crystal Cove has the kind of beautiful, populated, but uncrowded beach that I tend toward when I want a day at the beach. No pretentious shops, no 50,000 people on the beach. If actually makes a day at the beach like what it should be (well in my mind anyway.)
I personally prefer Laguna Beach because it's still near so much, and there are the cliffs from which you walk to the beach, but Crystal Cove is still a top pick for me when it comes to going to the beach.
When I was in high school, I grew up on Long Island, NY.
in January 1997, my entire family came over to SD and Laguna for a winter vacation. While my friends were shovling snow due to the snow storm, I was enjoying california sun and when I went back home I bragged about it. hahaha
I didn't quite remember, where that absolutely gorgeous beach was until recently, when I found Crystal Cove again after 10 years, finally. On that vacation, although I stayed at awesome places like SD Mission Bay, Laguna Beach, and also visited La Jolla and a bunch of really fun places, I thought Crystal Cove was a real beauty. I was fascinated by so many well-preserved organisms that live on the beach as well.
Still, after ten years, I still love this place. I love how quiet and peaceful it is. It's not like Laguna or Huntington Beach where it gets packed when the weather is nice. I love the nature here. Amazing costal line delivers perfect scenary every time I take my camera out. Just gorgeous.
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this is such a beautiful park... I actually went on the hike here (about 6 miles for the moderate level), and it's definitely a high-moderate level! The trail is well paved and really wide. There isn't much shade so make sure you bring lots of water, sunscreen, and wear a hat. In my opinion, the hike was a little tougher than the other ones i've been on, but it was definitely a good experience. There's not a lot of people on the hike so it's very peaceful out there. There's a $10 parking fee but the day we went (Sunday) the visitor center was closed so parking was free!
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You wouldn't even know about it when you drive by. Beautiful beach, excellent place for an easy hike. You can also rent little beach shack here. However, to get a reservation, you'll have to book 6 months ahead.
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My friend planned a trip to this place so we decided to go on a Sunday morning in April.
Tip #1 park in the nearby elementary school lot otherwise parking will cost you $10.
Tip #2 wearing a hat cause it's a wide open hike.
Tip #3 put on plenty of sunscreen...you don't want to look like a lobster afterwards right?
Tip #4 you might want to bring a big stick (more on the reason below).
The hike was great...lots of beautiful scenery of the mountains and ocean. Since it was April, the flowers had also started their blooming. There are multiple trails for different levels. One part is called the BFI - big f$#cking incline...which held true to the name given. Definitely a challenge and you should be prepared with a bottle of water.
The only thing that ruined my hike was my first bee sting. It hurt like hell!!!....the %$#@ bee just landed on my back and stung me! No anaphylaxis for me...guess it's good to find that out. The bee then proceeded to fly into my friend's hair and get stuck there. Good thing there was a hiker nearby that brushed the bee away with his hiking stick while my friend was screaming at the top of her lungs.
We also saw a rattlesnake...well it was actually other hikers who pointed it out and since they saw me with my camera, one hiker suggested I get closer and take a picture to which I replied, "no thanks, I can see the huge rattlesnake from where I am just fine...no picture is needed." :)
Overall - a great place for a hike and a good work-out...just watch out for the wildlife and any crazy bees. ;)
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I first found out about Crystal Cove after volunteering to lead a Saturday group of Girl Scouts through the tidepools and beach area one day. Yeah, that was fun.
Sudini gives a great review of the El Moro Canyon area (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), but its the beach and tidepools that are the big draws here. After parking up top, in the coastal sage scrub parking area, head down to the beach, then north until you reach a rocky outcropping. At low tide, the tidepools can be visited at the peak of 'rush hour.' You're sure to find tons of anemones (aka - dirty donuts, when their bodies are retracted), hermit crabs, barnacles, limpets, sculpins, sea stars, and even sea urchin among the scattered patches of eel grass and tiny pools.
I think I've seen a wedding ceremony take place on the beach, and education tours are commonplace, so don't be surprised to see them here. Lunchtime joggers frequent the area as well. Every once in a while you'll even glimpse rare sightings of elderly birdwatchers...be sure to avoid them, as they can talk up a storm if invited into a conversation ('Hey, let's compare bird lists! Have you spotted any California Gnatcatchers yet? I spotted a group of mergansers this morning...)
Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed on any unpaved surfaces...which means down on the beach, tidepools, or on the trails. Yeah, sucks, but if you're down here for a nice romantic stop, you sure don't want to have to worry about where to throw away a steaming bag of dog turds. They've got a bunch of other rules, too (no boat launching, nudity, or smoking, etc.), but you forget them pretty quickly...heh, heh. Just kidding, Mr. Park Ranger, sir...
This place is easy to find. Just take PCH and you'll find it right along the water. You can't miss it...or can you?
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Crystal Cove is an oasis of coastal Southern California. Three and a half miles of preserved beach for you to enjoy. A throwback to the days of orange groves and avocado trees.
Of course, most of those are non-existent in Orange County anymore, but at least this place is. What the hell are those cool houses? The Irvine Co. owns a bazillion acres of land that terminates at the coast -- the little community of beach houses was once populated by those whose houses sat on leased land, and one day, the good people got the boot.
The state is in the middle of a long process of remodeling and upgrading them for rental, and there's already a restuarant down there. Stop into the little green cottage for some history, but stay for the sheer natural beauty of what once was the entire Southern California Coast.
Parking costs have risen but some lots are free in the off season. Just up the cliff is the Shake Shack, if you like Ruby's -- down PCH is Trader Joe's for the Newport Coasters, but grab yourself a picnic one way or the other.
Great for kids and couples alike. Very little surf. Beatuiful tidepools and long stretches of sand. Moment of silence for the generations who called it home -- because you're going to stay in one of those houses once in your life. I guarantee it.
http://www.crystalcove...
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Crystal Cove is THE best beach to go to when you feel like avoiding a crowd, and not having to struggle to find parking. I've gone almost every day of the week, and during the summer, and it's never packed.
Parking costs $10, but it's worth it since all you have to do is pull into any open spot in the lot. I, personally, would rather pay more to park than drive up and down streets looking for difficult parallel parking at other beaches.
The reason it isn't as crowded as other places is that it's not as easy to get to as the main beaches. And there are a LOT of steep, winding steps to take down to the beach. It's easy going down, but after a day of swimming and playing, sometimes it's tough going back up.
Aside from easy parking and less people, Crystal Cove is breathtakingly beautiful. The view from the stairs is worth the climb, alone.
I plan on having my wedding here.
This is such a pretty place! *see pics* Went here last night late evening with my date though it was close to 8pm. It's so pretty and peaceful. It was nice walking along the beach and having the water crash at your feet - so romantic and nice. This is a beautiful beach and from what my friend told me it doesn't get so crowded during the day. When we went there were still some people enjoying the beach, but just hanging out. I'm glad he took me to this place so if I want to chill at the beach I don't have to go somewhere that's usually crowded. *sigh* This is just one of things I'll miss about Cali!
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There's no question that having access to all the different beaches within minutes to your house is one of the best perks about living in OC. All you have to do is drive down PCH and do the "Beach Tour." From Huntington to Newport to Corona Del Mar to Laguna. But we've always wanted to check out Crystal Cove, and we finally did on this Labor Day. What a great way to beat the crowds in Newport, where we were earlier in the day. Here, it was cozy and peaceful and almost as if you were transported to a beach in another part of the country.
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Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall all you have to do is call....
And I will go to the Crystal Cove State park with you.
It is a perfect place to walk your (or my) dog, The path is clear, often paved so you can easily watch for rattle snakes (for you and you dog's sake). No dogs are allowed on the beach, however I often wonder if I brought a cat or say a pet hamster if they would be allowed on the beach.. I think this is unfair to the dogs... But- I do understand dogs scare off other animals, as they are natural predators in the wild etc... So- I am not really complaining, but I do love my dog. Anyhow- back to reality. There are water stations every so often which serve many purposes, human drinking, human showering, human cooling off and pet (usually dogs, but maybe you brought your hamster as I was mentioning) drinking, washing and showering. You can park in several parking lots ($10/day) and walk either to the north along many trails with coastal fauna and flora (vast amounts of bright yellow mustard in the Spring- GORGEOUS), there are several paths down to the beach which is extremely unique. I grew up on beaches and the rock formations here are truly unique, The layers are absolutely obvious, like someone puring batter in ribbons folding over itself, it is incredible.
Speaking of beaches they really are not that crowded. Suprisingly, I ws there today on a VERY HOT SUNDAY and there were a lot of people, but the low tide made for a very spread out group. there are not people breathign down your neck.
Back to the trail... If you walk north you get to Corona Del mar where there is a final look out past the golf course and the view is so nice, the rock formations again are breathtaking. After taking in the vista you can walk or ride your bike back to the South where you hit the Beachcomber cafe. and all the historic cottages that have/are being restored. This is a really cute place for the family, there is a trolley from the parking lot across the street (or you can stroll an easy walk through a little tunnel under the highway). This is really a great place to check out. you can walk a littel or a lot and really get the full California Coast vibe at its best.
Apparently there are 3, and a 4th on its way, camping grounds. I have not checked them out but I intend to. You can not take dogs in the inland part of the trails, so keep that in mind if you are doing a pooch oriented outdoor activity (mine usually are). The 3 campgrounds, are by reservation I think it is the http://www.reserveamer... website, but I am not sure.
There are a pretty good distance in, I believe they said at least 3 miles and on a hot Southern California day i would highly recommend doing this on an early morning. It can get brutally hot.
Anyhow- that is about it. I HIGHLY recommend anyone in the area checking this place out. It is really really great! I mean the true meaning of great!
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I came here with my husband and we loved this beach! It is a really clean beach and the waves were great. We saw a starfish laying on the rocks and some crabs. Parking is $10. Nice place to relax in the sun!
If you want the best of the best in Orange County, Crystal Cove is the place to be. Spectacular views and open sand to lay out and get your tan on. Just be prepared because there's about 100 steps to get down and climb up on. All worth the extra effort because the view is absolutely breathtaking.
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One of my favorite places in Orange County to "get away" from it all. There's trails, animals, beach, and tidepools. It's a quiet and relatively deserted beach for the most part. Lots of walking, especially up that hill back to the car. Decent restrooms and picnic area. My only complaint is that the parking cost is now $10. It use to be $4ish which was totally reasonable. But $10! ICK.
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LOVE this place. it doesn't seem like the OC at all! the beach is very clean, the quaint beach cottages make you feel like you are in an old 70s movie... super cute.
across the street there are many hiking trails with awesome views.
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Beautiful place overlooking the ocean. I ended up walking down to the beach below. Not too crowded and good place to spend the day. We found a cozy corner to spend the afternoon, reading and playing frisbee.
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I'm not a big fan of California beaches, but Crystal Cove was very clean and scenic. The tidepools have some interesting rock formations (see pics) but no sealife of any interest. It was such a nice day for a stroll around the beach. I had read about hiking trails, but I didn't see any aside from the walking you could do on the beach or from one parking lot to another. Parking is steep - $10 for an all-day pass - and no dogs are allowed down on the beach. It makes for a nice little getaway, as the beaches were not overcrowded at all.
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Crystal Cove is the type of beach you can walk on and experience small cliffs as well as tidepools. I didn't get much chance to explore the the stretch of beach extensively. But I did get to see the refurbished beach homes for rent and the beautiful shells left behind by the tide. The shells were so blue they had a shininess to them, almost as if there was mother of pearl beneath the surface. The rocks found along the beach were the most flat and round I had ever seen. These would be perfect for skipping in the water. Unfortunately, that's all the time I had for at Crystal Cove. I would love to come back another time and actually hike along the trails and get a chance to see what the beachhomes look like on the inside. It's definitely worth a trip down here.
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