Beach guide
Crystal Cove State Park
Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA
Overview
Crystal Cove State Park sits off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach. It has 3.2 miles of beach, with seven separate coves, sandy beaches and tide pools. Behind the shore is a 2,400-acre backcountry of canyon trails, and the Crystal Cove Historic District is a colony of 46 rustic cottages built in the 1930s and 1940s.
Who goes here
Beachgoers come to swim, surf, dive and explore tide pools. Hikers, mountain bikers and riders head inland. Families book the historic cottages or campsites at Moro Campground.
Parking areas
Day-use areas are open 6 a.m. to sunset. Main beach access points include Pelican Point, Reef Point, the Moro Canyon day-use area (which reaches the beach through a tunnel under PCH) and the Historic District. The Los Trancos lot serves the Historic District and is charged by the hour.
Marine protected area
The shoreline lies inside Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area. Take of anything living from tide pools is prohibited. Recreational hook-and-line or spearfishing for finfish and take of spiny lobster and sea urchin are allowed under state rules.
What's different here
This is a state park, not a city beach. Dogs are allowed on paved areas only and not on the sand. No fires are allowed on the sand, and alcohol is banned outside designated concession and campsite areas.
Getting there & access
Parking and fees
Day-use parking is $15 a day, or $20 on holidays and summer weekends. The Los Trancos lot (the east lot serving the Historic District) charges $5 an hour. Day-use areas are open 6 a.m. to sunset.
Reaching the sand
From the Moro Canyon day-use area, you reach the beach through a tunnel under Pacific Coast Highway. Sand can build up in it during high tide. The Historic District has beach access and a loading zone for drop-offs, and Pelican Point has a 0.2-mile boardwalk to an ocean overlook.
Beach wheelchairs and accessible routes
Beach wheelchairs are available on loan at the Moro Canyon day-use area and the Historic District. Call (949) 494-3539 to confirm availability. The paved Bluff Top Multi-Use Trail runs along the coastal bluffs, and accessible parking is at Moro Canyon, Pelican Point, Reef Point and Los Trancos.
Paddling and diving
Swimming, surfing and diving are popular along the coves. The whole shoreline is a state marine conservation area, so check the take rules before you fish or spearfish.
Amenities
- Tide pools — Along the rocky coves; no take from tide pools
- Food — Crystal Cove Shake Shack and the Beachcomber Café
- Accessible restrooms — Moro Canyon, Pelican Point, Reef Point, Historic District and Moro Campground
- Historic cottages — Rentable through ReserveCalifornia
- Moro Campground — Tent and RV sites with hookups
- Bluff Top Trail — Paved, accessible interpretive trail along the bluffs
- Backcountry trails — 2,400 acres for hiking, biking and riding
- Beach wheelchairs — Loaner chairs at Moro Canyon and the Historic District
Rules & official resources
- Except for ADA service animals, no animals on the beach or in the backcountry; where allowed, dogs must be on a leash of 6 feet or less
- No fires on the sand or in the campgrounds; gas barbecues are permitted, wood and charcoal are not
- Alcohol is prohibited except within designated concession areas and campsites at Moro Campground
- Day-use areas are open 6 a.m. to sunset
- Crystal Cove SMCA: take of living marine resources from tide pools is prohibited
- Crystal Cove SMCA: recreational take is limited to finfish by hook-and-line or spearfishing, plus spiny lobster and sea urchin
Common boat service needs here
Post-trip rinse for kayaks and boards
Paddlers and divers here spend long sessions in salt water and sand. A fresh-water rinse after each trip protects fittings, hatches and racks.
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Sources
Last verified October 7, 2026