State Park

Crystal Cove State Park

Orange County, CaliforniaAbout 4,006 acresEstablished 1979
Status
Open (per official listing)Daily 6 a.m. – sunset
Entrance fee
$15 per dayAnnual pass available
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Camping
Yes
Official site
parks.ca.gov(949) 494-3539

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Current alerts 2

Alert Crystal Cove Historic District is experiencing impacts from the current swell event coupled with high tides.

Posted by the park. Official alert

Weather Partial Closure — Tropical Storm RachelCrystal Cove Historic District is experiencing impacts from the current swell event coupled with high tides.

Posted by the park 2026-10-12. Official alert

Overview

A waterfall whose water flows across the beach sands into the ocean — Crystal Cove State Park
A waterfall whose water flows across the beach sands into the ocean — Crystal Cove State Park. Photo: Ngresonance. Public domain (released by the author)

Crystal Cove State Park is a 4,006-acre park in Orange County, about 4 miles southeast of Newport Beach.

Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, and boating. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and showers).

Hours

Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.

FacilityDaysHoursSeason
ParkDaily6 a.m. – sunset—
Daily6 a.m. – 10 p.m.—
Official wording

Day Use - 06:00 AM to Sunset Historic District - 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).

Fees and passes

ItemAmount
Vehicle Day Use (Regular)$15
Vehicle Day Use (Special Holiday/Seasonal/Weekend Rate)$20
Official wording

Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Vehicle Day Use (Regular): $15.00 • Vehicle Day Use (Special Holiday/Seasonal/Weekend Rate): $20.00

California park passes

  • California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
  • Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
  • Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
  • Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
  • SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details

From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
ReserveCalifornia
Phone
(800) 444-7275

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Pets

Dogs allowed, with restrictions

Not allowed in or on: the beach or in the backcountry; deer canyon.

Are dogs allowed? Yes: Dogs allowed on paved areas only. Except for service animals, dogs not allowed on the beach or in the backcountry. Dogs are not allowed in Deer Canyon, Lower Moro, and Upper Moro Campgrounds.

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Camping

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.

  • LUV-2-CAMP, LLC (Camp Trailer Rentals in Moro Campground)

Overnight facilities: Tent Camping, Remote Camping, Lodging, RV/Trailer Campsites w/Hookups, RV Dump Station, RV Access

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Cabins and lodging

  • Lodging

Lodging

Things to do

BoatingHistoric sites and toursPicnickingFishingRanger and interpretive programsSnorkeling and scubaWildlife viewing and birdingSurfingGeocachingHikingBikingHorseback ridingCamping

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Showers
  • Drinking water
  • Picnic areas
  • Visitor center
  • Nature center or museum
  • Restaurant or food service

Water

  • Swimming beach

Camping

  • RV dump station
  • Tent camping
  • RV camping

Recreation

  • Horse trails

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Accessibility

Overview

Crystal Cove State Park has 3.2 miles of beach, a 60-site campground, 448 acres of coastal terrace, and 2,343 acres of undeveloped wild land, which is popular for hiking and horseback riding. The offshore waters are designated as a State Marine Conservation Area and the Historic District of the park includes interpretive programs and facilities, a beachfront restaurant and overnight lodging. The park is located off the Pacific Coast Highway between Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach. Phone (949) 494-3539 for more information.

Crystal Cove Historic District: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property is located on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. When driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway from Corona del Mar, the entrance to the Historic District of Crystal Cove State Park is located at the Los Trancos cross street, the first traffic light after Newport Coast Drive. When driving north on the Pacific Coast Highway from Laguna Beach, the entrance to the Historic District is located at the Los Trancos cross street, the first traffic light after Crystal Heights Drive. General public parking for the Historic District is located on the inland side of the highway with a limited number of accessible parking spaces on the west side. Additional accessible parking is available in the east lot (Los Trancos Parking Area) where a shuttle equipped with a wheelchair lift transports visitors across the highway and down to the Historic District. A loading zone for passenger drop off is also provided in the Historic District.

Read more from the park

Crystal Cove Beach Cottages: 16 historic cottages have been rehabilitated for overnight rentals, three of which are accessible for qualified disabled guests (Cottage #1; Cottage #18; and Cottage #38D, Private Room). Possession of a valid DMV issued DP license plate or DP parking placard (with associated DP parking placard ID) is required in order to reserve an accessible cottage; and this proof of disability must be presented at check-in. The disabled individual reserving the cottage is required to be an occupant during the entirety of the reservation. Please note that parking is limited in the Crystal Cove Historic District. Guests who reserve an accessible cottage may park one vehicle displaying a valid DMV issued DP parking placard/plates, in one of the assigned accessible parking spaces. Additional vehicle parking is located in the Los Trancos parking area. More information is available at the Crystal Cove Conservancy.

Camping

Moro Campground: Six designated accessible campsites are available that can be reserved only by people with qualifying disabilities, but all of the campsites in this campground are firm surfaced and relatively level with ample room for tents, parking and unloading. Fire rings and post-mounted grills are not provided at any sites because wood and charcoal fires are not allowed in this campground. Compressed gas outdoor fireplaces or barbecues are permitted but are not provided by the park. Restroom/shower buildings in the campground are accessible. The campfire center, located in the adjacent day use area, is accessible, however due to very steep topography between the campground and day use area most visitors will choose to drive to the campfire center where accessible parking is available.

Picnic Area

Moro Canyon Day Use Area: In this day use area, all picnic sites include accessible furnishings and firm, level ground surfaces. All but 3 of the 17 family picnic sites are on accessible routes, and five are located very close to paved parking. Two group picnic sites are accessible. The Berns Amphitheater is located here with a fire pit and benches that are accessible. Accessible parking spaces and restroom buildings are located throughout the day use area. The day use area has nearly 0.5 mile of accessible pathways that meander to the edge of the back country and loop back into the developed area. The day use area is located on the east side of the Pacific Coast Highway and access to the beach is provided through a tunnel under the highway. During periods of high tide, sand is deposited on the ramp to the beach which may impede passage for people with limited mobility. Beach wheelchairs are be available for loan, please call (949) 494-3539 in advance to inquire about beach wheelchair availability.

Pelican Point Area: The picnic area at Lot 4 has 6 picnic tables on a firm surface. Two accessible restrooms are available. Two accessible parking spaces are available. Routes of travel between facilities are generally accessible.

Trails

The Bluff Top Multi-Use Trail is an accessible, paved interpretive trail along the coastal bluffs. Entry, accessible parking and restrooms at Pelican Point or Reef Point day use lots.

Beach/Shore Access

In most areas of the park the beach is separated from parking and developed facilities by a sheer, steep bluff in excess of 50 feet. Beach access for visitors with mobility disabilities is provided in the Historic District and the Moro Canyon Day Use Area where beach wheelchairs are be available for loan. Please call (949) 494-3539 in advance to inquire about beach wheelchair availability.

Pelican Point Boardwalk: A nearly 0.2 mile long boardwalk leading from Lot 2, near an accessible restroom, wanders through a restored botanical area to an ocean overlook. There are some gaps between boards a bit greater than 0.5 inch, but the view is worth the effort.

Exhibits/Programs

The Moro Visitor Center on the east side of the highway is generally open daily year round. The structure is on one level and is generally accessible. Restrooms, parking, and routes of travel are generally accessible.

Official accessibility information

Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.

Getting there

Address
8471 N Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Nearest town
Newport Beach — about 4 mi southeast (straight line)
Coordinates
33.5666, -117.8303
Phone
(949) 494-3539

Entrances

  • Directions point

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Directions from the park

The park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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