TL;DR Travels

1. What to Know Before You Go
2. What Makes Crystal Cove Special
3. How to Park & Navigating the State Park
   1. Los Trancos
   2. Pelican Point
   3. Crystal Cove
   4. A Special Tip for Locals
4. Free Things to Do at Crystal Cove
5. Unique Things to do at Crystal Cove (That Cost Some Money)
6. Where to Eat
7. Explore Newport Beach, California

What Makes Crystal Cove Special

Crystal Cove is a unique piece of history for California, with both beauty and tragedy in its past. Located on the clifftop overlooking the sands, you will find several cute cottages that transport you back into the world of Gidget and Moon Doggie. You’ll also find a beautiful deck which offers the perfect place to check out the sunset. Once a vibrant farming then beach living community, Crystal Cove has been home to many different groups of people throughout the years. Since then, it has now become an important and beautiful historic landmark.

Next to these restored cottages, one in particular stands out from the rest. A small school house, painted yellow, now sits as an homage to the Japanese-Americans who once lived and worked in the land. Once a school and now a mini museum, the building stands as a testament to the area’s rich history. During World War II and the tragic Japanese Interment camps, many Japanese-American families were forcibly removed from their homes on the coast of California – and this land was never returned to them. You can read on more directly from the Crystal Cove Conservancy’s website here.

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How to Park & Navigating the State Park

Los Trancos

There are a few different parking lots that can fill-up during busy seasons (such as US school holidays and summer). Because of that, I find that parking in the Los Trancos lot (E. Coast Highway and Los Trancos) tends to be pretty convenient. If you are able to, there is a walk from the parking lot that takes you underneath PCH through a mural tunnel. It’s a beautiful and unique walk that I recommend everyone who is able do so try it at least once. Keep in mind, however, that there are some inclines/declines along the way which can make it difficult to carry things and less accessible for foot traffic. If you choose to park in this lot, there is a shuttle operated by the Beachcomber restaurant that picks people up as well. The shuttle costs $2.00 one way (children under 12 years ride free).

A note about accessibility – if you park in the Los Trancos lot, there is an ADA-accessible shuttle that can make it easier to get to and from the beach. In the historic district, where the shuttle will drop you off, you can also rent a beach-friendly wheelchair which is available on a first-come, first-serve basis at no extra cost. In addition, a few of the cottages (if you are interested in renting) are also ADA accessible. Read more about accessibility at Crystal Cove here.

Pelican Point

If you plan on just visiting the bluff top trails or want to explore on foot a bit more, you’ll find a few other lots near the Pelican Point area. These public parking lots are also run by the State of California, so the fees will be the same. You’ll find several public restrooms at most, if not all, of these parking lots in addition to a few picnic tables. Pelican Point/Bluff Top Trails also has some amazing places to view the sunset.

Crystal Cove

When driving along East Coast Highway, you’ll notice that Crystal Cove has its own parking lot. Unless you are renting a cottage or need to drop someone/something off in the Historic District, you won’t be able to park in this area.

A Special Tip for Locals

If you live locally, head to your local library for a state park day pass and enter the park for free. You will need a library card to check it out for the day. Read more about this special offer just for California folks here.

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Free Things to Do at Crystal Cove

Located centrally along the beach, you’ll find the Crystal Cove Historic District. Here, you can check out the various cottages, find the local eateries, and check out the Conservancy’s museum to learn more about the location’s history. You’ll also find some public restrooms.

From there, you can venture out along the sand. With over 3 miles of beach, there are plenty of peaceful places to enjoy a casual stroll along the coast or set-out a beach blanket to rest. Be sure to check out the tidal pools and see what local wildlife you can find.

If you love a good nature-walk, you should also check out the Bluff Top trails to see beautiful wildflowers and have a greater vantage point to see the surf and sea. There are a few ramps and stairs located along the beach to help you go up the bluff or get back to the shore.

Lastly, be sure to check out the Conservancy’s website to see what seasonal events are scheduled. Oftentimes, they’ll host movie nights on the beach during summer or do a Christmas tree lighting early in December. Check out the seasonal calendar here.

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Unique Things to do at Crystal Cove (That Cost Some Money)

Pretty much everyone who lives in coastal Southern California has had a bonfire (or twenty) on the beach. Crystal Cove has taken this classic staple and leveled it up to create a more elevated glamping-style experience. Guests can rent a fire pit for up to three hours, which will come with the fuel you need (no need to lug fire wood across the sand). You can also order s’mores or other food to your fire pit for an even more enjoyable evening. Learn more here.

If you are looking to pick-up a souvenir or two, be sure to visit the Crystal Cove shop for unique beach items.

If you enjoyed walking around the vintage cottages, you may be interested in enhancing up your stay by renting one of the cottages out. Learn more about rentals here.

Lastly, if you are looking for an even more outdoors-y experience, you can look into camping at the El Moro campground. Learn more here.

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Where to Eat

There are two main places to grab food while on the beach. Located just off of PCH with a beautiful cliffside view of the Pacific Ocean sits The Shake Shack. Formerly a part of the Ruby’s Diner franchise, The Shake Shack is now under different ownership but still offers classic casual American diner foods. In my experience, a milkshake, fries, and a view of the sunset go hand-in-hand. As a heads-up, however, getting to the Shack from the beach can be difficult. Crystal Cove is actually located at the base of the cliff, with a wooden staircase helping guests get to the top where the Shack is located. If you prefer to drive your car up to the Shake Shack, just know it can get a little crowded since there is only one small lot with limited parking. Patience is definitely required!

For a higher-end sit-down option, you can also check out the Beachcomber. With a bar filled with various cocktails and a menu of unique offerings, you can dine directly on the beach. Since this place can fill-up with reservations during busy months, I recommend checking the wait times and putting your name on the list early to avoid any hangry-ness.

If you are visiting during the Summer months, the Beachcomber opens up an express shack to accommodate the busier crowds. If you are visiting in June to early September, be sure to look into grabbing a burger directly on the beach here.

If you are looking for more places to eat in the area, you can also take a look into the following shopping centers. You will need to drive or find transportation to some of these locations, however, as this portion of PCH can get very busy with cars and isn’t always as pedestrian friendly outside of the State Park area.

• Crystal Cove Shopping Center
• Fashion Island Mall
• CDM Village/Newport Beach along PCH (near McArthur Blvd)

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