Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park
4.5
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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4.5
1,263 reviews
Excellent
905
Very good
285
Average
46
Poor
13
Terrible
14
So_Cal_Illini_81
Pasadena, CA294 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We only visited small part of the park near the Beachcomber restaurant (which is great). After we ate we walked along the beach to look at the cabins and stopped in the two cabins with exhibits. One of those had a very friendly docent who told the story of the area. The beach is nice here, there are some rocks but it was high tide so we couldn’t tell if there might be tide pools at low tide.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris H
Yorba Linda, CA1,853 contributions
Mar 2020
We love going to Crystal Cove. Yesterday we drove there to have a picnic and a hike. Our time on the beach was so enjoyable that we never did hike. The tides were especially low so we were able to enjoy the tide pools. An enjoyable walk 1-1/2 miles south was pleasant. We especially loved the Shake Shack up the hill or Beachcomber's restaurant where we stopped for a early evening drink.
Some information you should know before you go. There is parking but it is not free. We paid $15 but there are bathrooms in every parking lot. Also, from the lot, it is a very steep walk down to the beach. This makes taking to many items down rather challenging and a bit slippery on the sand. If you don't mind that, you are rewarded with a scarcely populated stretch of sand (at least in March!)
Some information you should know before you go. There is parking but it is not free. We paid $15 but there are bathrooms in every parking lot. Also, from the lot, it is a very steep walk down to the beach. This makes taking to many items down rather challenging and a bit slippery on the sand. If you don't mind that, you are rewarded with a scarcely populated stretch of sand (at least in March!)
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveljava57
Twinsburg, OH586 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Just below our resort (Pelican Hill) we took an evening (sunset) run on the beach and then had a beer at the Bootlegger. Just an amazing view of the ocean and sunset! If you are able to enjoy this please make the effort ...the price is right ...free!
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin L
5 contributions
Feb 2020
I only went in the portion of the park that is beside the ocean. You can walk on top of the hills with beautiful views of the ocean or you can also go down on the beach if you want to walk in the sand. There are several parkings along the highway for this park and it costs $15 per car. Bring some water because there are not many water points in the park.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perkadventures
Banning, CA15,333 contributions
Dec 2020
Used hotel shuttle to go there, they dropped us off near entrance, otherwised handicapped parking is inside but you still have to pay to park or go across the highway and park pay and walk under the highway.
All areas closed because of the covid, but still allowed to walk. some places can be rented. Do not know the process. Bathrooms open for use. Construction going on down the beach on some of the older homes . Nice walking not many peoplse . A good day to visit.
All areas closed because of the covid, but still allowed to walk. some places can be rented. Do not know the process. Bathrooms open for use. Construction going on down the beach on some of the older homes . Nice walking not many peoplse . A good day to visit.
Written 15 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda D
Clearwater, FL24 contributions
Sept 2022 • Business
This ares is overrated. Expensive and poor service. So you must park across the highway..which you pay to park. Then there is a shuttle to take you across the street. $2 each way. Then the restaurant on beach will not allow you to irder drinks and appetizers from tables that view water..oh no thise are for people buying entrees. Then you cant buy a drink and take to beach. The beach is rocky.not the best. Overall. Not worth it. There are many beaches with beautiful views...try those instead.
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
e26
New York City, NY638 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
What a beautiful park to visit! Came down for the day from LA and was pleasantly surprised at this gem. Started first at the El Moro Canyon trail. This trail is an easy wide trail with not too much incline until you get to the “poles” trail. From here it’s a glute burning steep hike up but doable if you’re fit. Think it’s bit more difficult coming down that trail since it’s steep. On the other side of it is a mile hike down back to the parking lot so in all about a 3 mile loop. I’m glad I did it counterclockwise instead of clockwise. Counterclockwise saw great views of the ocean and with all the rain the hills are lush and green! A bit muddy on some areas of the trail but not too bad.
Afterwards I drove down to the Pelican entrance (the first entrance) and parked at parking lot 2. From here you can take the trail to boardwalk and off to the left near the end of boardwalk there is a sandy trail down to beach. A little bit steep in some areas but doable (might be difficult for someone w bad knees though). Then I crossed over from the east end of the beach to the west where the historic district is which are a bunch of beach buildings include the restaurant Beachcomber. Up the stairs to the right you can visit the cutest Shake Shack w a fish and chips/seafood menu!
Parking for the day was $15. You can pay from any lot and it works for the day at all the lots. Had no problem finding parking today. After I ate at shack shack I took the cliff trail above the beach back to the parking lot. Gorgeous trail and wide and easy.
Definitely recommend a visit! I was here for about four hours total and would def come back.
Afterwards I drove down to the Pelican entrance (the first entrance) and parked at parking lot 2. From here you can take the trail to boardwalk and off to the left near the end of boardwalk there is a sandy trail down to beach. A little bit steep in some areas but doable (might be difficult for someone w bad knees though). Then I crossed over from the east end of the beach to the west where the historic district is which are a bunch of beach buildings include the restaurant Beachcomber. Up the stairs to the right you can visit the cutest Shake Shack w a fish and chips/seafood menu!
Parking for the day was $15. You can pay from any lot and it works for the day at all the lots. Had no problem finding parking today. After I ate at shack shack I took the cliff trail above the beach back to the parking lot. Gorgeous trail and wide and easy.
Definitely recommend a visit! I was here for about four hours total and would def come back.
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curious18517751150
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
The restaurant was so crowded you could not get a wheelchair seated person through to their table, I don't think the ramp going from the sand up into the restaurant was to code for wheelchair accessibility and those with disabilities, there is no bathroom in the restaurant, you have to leave the restaurant walk or get your wheelchair up a Sandy Hill to get into the state park restrooms which were filthy have no soap and no paper towels and we're not accessible.
Forget about the food the place was uncomfortable busy noisy and did not meet everyone's needs in my party. I will never go back there again!
Forget about the food the place was uncomfortable busy noisy and did not meet everyone's needs in my party. I will never go back there again!
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
appledude1221
Cleveland, OH313 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
Today, we decided to walk on the beach here In Newport Beach. The place is fun to walk in. However we found a con as parking here just to walk by paying is very unacceptable. People who want to walk on the beach can do so for free. Beware if you want to park the car here just to walk to the beach
Written 27 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Breton S
Salt Lake City, UT107 contributions
July 2022
This beach was recommended by 2 long time residents of the SoCal area. It's a nice beach that wasn't too crowded. The Rangers who work there were great and there are cottages to rent, once they are complete with the restoration to many of them. Lots of kids playing in the tidal pools and the shallows on the beach. Not a place to swim offshore. Not too crowded. Even a Park Ranger from another part of the State Park recommended going to the Los Troncos area since we were first time visitors to the area.
Written 20 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We would like to reserve cottage #38 for June 17th of 2021. When would be the first day to try and resere it for 3 days- June 17- June 19th. ( I also have a disabilty plackard).
Written 6 April 2021
Can you ride Trolley to Crystal Cove State Park ? is there a free Trolley route to the park?
TY.
Written 18 May 2019
Your question is not as clear as it could be. There is only a bus from the parking lot to the beach, but if you are asking if the Laguna Trolley goes to Crystal Cove, it does not. The bus service does go along PCH, and they are pretty clean, as well as Uber being an option.
Written 18 May 2019
There is street parking above the top of the stairs - it fills up very quickly on a beach day. Plan carefully if you’re bringing kids to the Tidal pools- there is no easy access to where the total pools are.
Written 26 April 2019
I'm trying to book Lower Moro Campground, it says "Hike In Primitive Campsite", can I drive my car to the campsite? or I will have to hike? If I have to hike, how far is the hike?
Thanks,
Written 12 April 2019
We did not check out the primitive campsites as they are a 3-4 mile hike from where you would park your car.
Written 13 April 2019
On their website there is a big sign that says to watch out for thieves to break into cars. Did anyone feel unsafe?
Written 17 April 2018
I always keep my eyes open for non-campers who shouldn't be walking along the campsites that we stay in, and we never saw anyone walking that didn't look like a fellow camper. Everyone said hello and or looked at you face to face and nodded hello. I also never noticed anyone hanging out in the lower picnic areas that looked unusual or sketchy. Having the ranger station check-in booth just above the electric sites also makes it a little more secure during the day. I never noticed anything unusual at night, except a coyote yipping loudly through the campground. Keep you pets inside and your trash up.
Written 30 April 2018
Hi! How long was the Hike-in to the campsite? Thanks.
Written 19 March 2018
Not sure if you got the answer you're looking for, but the hike-in to the campsite, from the beach area is about five to ten minutes. The campsites are up on the bluffs looking over the beach and pacific coast highway, so there is a steep walk up the paved road to the top. One of those walks that gets your heart pumping
Written 21 March 2018
Can you have a campfire at all in the campground? What about a propane grill?
Written 21 February 2018
Please confirm with a state park ranger, but there are picnic spaces on the cliff areas over the beach. I believe they do allow for a small propane grill but please confirm with the park staff.
Written 28 February 2018
Claire T
Fullerton, California
How long would it take to walk from Moro Campground to the beach? Would children be able to do it?
Written 20 January 2018
I guess it would take about 10, maybe 15 minutes, depending on how excited the kids are. The paths we saw are all easy going and hard surfaced, so OK for buggies and pushchairs. The beach is beautiful, mostly soft sand for what seemed like miles, with few other people.
You might want to discourage kids from scrambling up the cliffs, which look easy but the sandy rock tends to be quite loose underfoot. Knees may get scrapped...
Probably better to play in the sea and surf, which was gentle and great fun while we were there. Have a great day - we did and look forward to going back there.
Written 21 January 2018
Thank you for the review. Can you tell me about parking? Do you park close to the cottage? or far away and have to carry your luggage?
Written 1 October 2017
Parking is plentiful, I found, but expensive (the day pass).
Written 12 October 2017
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