Day Use - 06:00 AM to Sunset
Historic District - 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Crystal Cove State Park
UPDATE (June 12, 2020) - As California State Parks begins working with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved, it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household. Everyone has the responsibility to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Here are some guidelines for people visiting Crystal Cove SB:
What is open now?
The following is open at the park:
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
Statewide:
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Here are some guidelines for people visiting Crystal Cove SB:
What is open now?
The following is open at the park:
- All trails, beaches, and parking lots are now open. Active recreation is encouraged.
- Campgrounds and cottages will open starting June 12. For more information about camping, visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping. To make a reservation, visit www.ReserveCalifornia.com or call 800-444-7275. Walk-ins will NOT be allowed.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
Statewide:
- Many campgrounds across the state remain closed until further notice. Some campgrounds have started to reopen with modifications. For more information, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping.
- High public-use indoor facilities, including museums and visitor centers.
- Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice.
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
- Stay Local: Stay close to home. Walk or bike into the park. Do not take road trips to parks and beaches or to neighboring states.
- Stay Active: Keep walking, jogging, hiking and biking. Watch for one-way trails.
- Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park, beach or on trails to allow for the required physical distance.
- Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash.
- Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Phone Number
(949) 494-3539
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: 35 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 35 Feet
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed on paved areas only. Except for service animals, dogs not allowed on the beach or in the backcountry.
Driving Directions to Crystal Cove
The park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.Camping and Lodging
Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boating
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Environmental Campsites
Family Campsites
Primitive Camping
Lodging
RV Sites w/Hookups
RV Dump Station
RV Access
Environmental Campsites
Family Campsites
Primitive Camping
Lodging
RV Sites w/Hookups
RV Dump Station
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs
Geocaching
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Food Service
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Food Service
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
In an effort to protect public health and the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff as the state responds to the continued threat of COVID-19, California State Parks is temporarily closing the District Office, Sector Offices and Visitor Centers within the Orange Coast District. While we are not directly affected by COVID-19, we are monitoring the situation carefully and are committed to being responsive and following California Governor’s updated policy on social gatherings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The parks will remain open for Day Use and Camping. We recognize the importance of visiting all the parks and beach within Orange Coast District represents an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air with family and friends and escape from our daily routines. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause your visit. We thank you for your patience, trust and continued support. We’d also like to thank our volunteers and staff for their commitment and dedication as public servants through these challenging circumstances. For the most up-to-date information, please follow our Facebook page California State Parks – Orange Coast District.
#CrystalCoveStateBeach
Crystal Cove State Park's rolling surf, sandy beaches, tidepools, gently sloping hills, and deeply wooded canyons and ridges provide a delightful contrast to its urban surroundings. Located off busy Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove is one of Orange County's largest remaining examples of open space and natural seashore.
The park's Mediterranean climate is characterized by moist, foggy summer mornings, with the fog burning off by midmorning to bring warm, sunny days and cool evenings. Crystal Cove State Park has 3.2 miles of beach, 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness, which is popular for outdoor enthusiasts and an offshore underwater area. Crystal Cove is used by mountain bikers inland and scuba and skin divers underwater. The beach is popular with swimmers and surfers. Visitors can explore tidepools and sandy coves. Crystal Cove offers sand and surf, rocky reefs, ridges and canyons - plus recreational opportunities - that appeal to everybody. State Park staff and docents conduct interpretive programs year-round including guided hikes, tidepool walks, and geology talks.
The great expanse upland, north and east of the Pacific Coast Highway is enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians who can follow hillside and canyon trails to primitive campsites that allow visitors to feel they are "away from it all," despite being near one of the greatest population centers in the United States.
The Crystal Cove Historic District is a 12.3-acre coastal portion of the 2,791-acre Crystal Cove State Park. The federally listed Historic District is an enclave of 46 vintage rustic coastal cottages originally built as a seaside colony in the 1930’s & ‘40’s and nestled around the mouth of Los Trancos Creek. It is one of the last remaining examples of early 20th century Southern California coastal development.
California State Parks and the Crystal Cove Conservancy have completed Phases I and II of restoration in the Historic District, which provide cottages for visitor services, educational and community programs, a restaurant, and 21 cottages for overnight use by the public. For more information on how you can get involved with protecting this treasured "Oasis in Time" please contact Crystal Cove Conservancy
Cottages available for overnight rental include studios, one- and two-bedroom houses, and hostel-style dormitories. Prices for overnight rentals have been kept as low as possible to provide this fabulous beach experience to as many Californians as possible. For more information about overnight cottage rentals see https://crystalcove.org/beach-cottages The cottages opened for overnight lodging in June 2006. Reservations for stays up to six months in advance are obtained through http://www.reservecalifornia.com
Also available in the Historic District is the Beachcomber Café, a restored beachfront cottage, offering a relaxed dining atmosphere with spectacular ocean views and a quality menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For more information see http://www.thebeachcombercafe.com/
Additional Visitor Services
- Crystal Cove Management Company (Camp Store, Food Services)
- Crystal Cove Management Company (Historic District lodging, restaurants & catering)
- LUV-2-CAMP, LLC (Camp trailer rentals)
Location - Directions
The park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.