Crystal Cove State Beach is a part of Crystal Cove State Park, a 3,936-acre California state park located in Orange County’s Newport Beach. The park contains 3.2 miles of coastline and is home to hundreds of different documented species of wildlife.
Crystal Cove State Beach is lined with beautiful bluffs and offers a more secluded, natural beachgoing experience. Just inside the shore are thousands of acres of woodland offering a number of hiking and biking trails full of breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Activities:
- Swimming, sunbathing, and surfing
- 1,000-acre offshore underwater park popular for scuba divers and snorkelers
- At low tide, some tide pools open up
- Crystal Cove State Park is full of hiking and biking trails and picnicking spots. Be aware that the area is abundant with wildlife. Be cautious when hiking.
Amenities:
- Restrooms and showers
- Picnic tables
- Historic District offers beach cottages for rent
- For dining, the Beachcomber Café is located in the Historic District
- The daily entrance fee is per vehicle.
- Paid parking is available per hour
- Shuttle from Los Trancos parking lot to Beachcomber Café available. The shuttle has a wheelchair lift and is free to those with disabilities.
Fun Facts:
- There were originally 46 cottages built between 1920 and 1940 in what is now Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District. 21 have been restored and opened for rent to offer the experience of what coastal California was like nearly 100 years ago.
- Filmmakers in the early 20th century were enamored by the natural beauty of Crystal Cove State Park, making it a popular shooting location during that time.
- Scenes from a silent film version of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, Treasure Island, were filmed at Crystal Cove State Beach in 1950.
Nearby Attractions
Crystal Cove State Beach is 20 minutes from the heart of Newport Beach, where you can go dolphin and whale-watching, rent bikes, take a sunset cruise, or visit a wide array of shops, restaurants, bars, and art galleries.
Balboa Island, a manmade island surrounded by a concrete boardwalk, is also located in Newport Beach. There you can explore several small shops and restaurants, as well as Balboa Fun Zone, where you’ll find a carousel, a Ferris wheel, an arcade, and a game room. Balboa Island can be accessed by bridge or by taking the Balboa Island Ferry.
Details
Address: 7402 Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, California 92657
Season: Year-round
Website: crystalcovestatepark.org
Tamarack State Beach – Carlsbad, California