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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,263 reviews
Excellent
905
Very good
285
Average
46
Poor
13
Terrible
14
e26
New York City, NY675 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 March 5, 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.
Grace_Q_USA
Brooklyn, NY17 contributions
Feb 2020
We hiked the Bommer Ridge trail and drove a few minutes to get lunch at Beachcomber. We were dropped off while my husband parked the car. There was a 2.5-hour wait at the restaurant and wished that they would inform the gentleman directing traffic ar the drop off of the long wait. No one in their right mind would wait that long for a meal. There is not much to do there to entertain you to make the wait less painful. Once my husband returned from the parking lot, we decided to get out of there as fast we could as we were famished at this point and took the shuttle to the parking lot — $1.50 per person for the shuttle and $5.00 for parking — all in half hour,
This reminded me why last visit to this area was almost 9 years ago. Over rated.
This reminded me why last visit to this area was almost 9 years ago. Over rated.
Written February 3, 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.
1GCFAN
Grove City, OH81 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
First the bad news. Arrived at about 3:00 pm. Parking for one hour was $5 or $10 until sunset. I opted for the $10 pass.
There are four lots strung out over the 3.5 mile length of the park. A path runs its course along the top but there are a few places where one can go down to go down to the beach. I didn’t find beach access from lot 2 but there is two access parts from the path that can be accessed from parking lot 1.
Depending on the tide, beach walking may require shedding the shoes.
There are several overlook point where one can take beautiful pictures.
I wasn’t able to do the entire length of the walking path due to time constraints.
There are four lots strung out over the 3.5 mile length of the park. A path runs its course along the top but there are a few places where one can go down to go down to the beach. I didn’t find beach access from lot 2 but there is two access parts from the path that can be accessed from parking lot 1.
Depending on the tide, beach walking may require shedding the shoes.
There are several overlook point where one can take beautiful pictures.
I wasn’t able to do the entire length of the walking path due to time constraints.
Written January 16, 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.
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 September 12, 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.
longhorn1983
TX107 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
So this park is beautiful, but the way they handle out of state visitors is HORRIBLE. We drove in and spoke with a park ranger. She sold us a parking pass and directed us to the parking lot. My husband put the ticket on the dash, and our family left the rental car and went on a hike. Upon returning, my brother-in-law said he would drive back. So, it wasn't until the next day that we noticed a parking ticket under the wipers. We drove back to the park and showed our receipt and spoke with the ranger. They said to just appeal it. Since we were only there for a weekend family wedding, we appealed online, explaining that the parking pass must have blown off the dash when we got out of our car to hike, as we found it on the floor. We submitted a picture of our paid receipt, showing we paid just an hour before the citation was issued.
We received a notice that we still had to pay a $25 fine for not "displaying" the pass properly. My husband called them and explained again that he HAD put it on the dash, and we don't know how it ended up on the floor. Nevertheless, they refused to remove the $25 fine. As an out of state visitor, I find this unreasonable and unfriendly.
If you go, take tape to make sure it doesn't blow off your dashboard.
We received a notice that we still had to pay a $25 fine for not "displaying" the pass properly. My husband called them and explained again that he HAD put it on the dash, and we don't know how it ended up on the floor. Nevertheless, they refused to remove the $25 fine. As an out of state visitor, I find this unreasonable and unfriendly.
If you go, take tape to make sure it doesn't blow off your dashboard.
Written July 30, 2024
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.
MissLauraLeigh
midwest84 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
This campground is stunningly beautiful. It’s terraced so that each row of sites has a magnificent view of the ocean. However, the campground has a problem!
We noticed when pulling in our site (27) that there were white powdery circles on the ground, and wondered if someone that had previously camped in that site had put the powder (perhaps diatomaceous earth?) around their camper for bugs. We spent several days without any problems, but on the 4th day of our stay we awoke to tiny bugs biting us. There were TONS of them that had invaded the inside of our camper! They were so tiny they could have come in through the screens or vents. We decided to leave fast, and noticed when closing up camp that those tiny ants were outside crawling all over the bottom of our camper! As we drove out of the campground, we noticed a few other sites that had the white powdery circles on the ground, too, so we’re wondering if the park had put the powder down for bugs?
We’ve driven for 5 hours, and stopped at our next campground, and guess what? Some of those little biting bugs are still crawling in our camper! We were so excited to get to camp at Crystal Cove Moro Campground, but it turned into a nightmare! We would not ever camp there again.
We noticed when pulling in our site (27) that there were white powdery circles on the ground, and wondered if someone that had previously camped in that site had put the powder (perhaps diatomaceous earth?) around their camper for bugs. We spent several days without any problems, but on the 4th day of our stay we awoke to tiny bugs biting us. There were TONS of them that had invaded the inside of our camper! They were so tiny they could have come in through the screens or vents. We decided to leave fast, and noticed when closing up camp that those tiny ants were outside crawling all over the bottom of our camper! As we drove out of the campground, we noticed a few other sites that had the white powdery circles on the ground, too, so we’re wondering if the park had put the powder down for bugs?
We’ve driven for 5 hours, and stopped at our next campground, and guess what? Some of those little biting bugs are still crawling in our camper! We were so excited to get to camp at Crystal Cove Moro Campground, but it turned into a nightmare! We would not ever camp there again.
Written September 28, 2024
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
Sep 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 September 22, 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.
AlanB_in_the_OC
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA22 contributions
Jul 2019
We've taken my in-laws RV a couple of times and camped here for a week. The challenge is securing a camping space as this is done through reservecalifornia.com. You have to do this 6 months in advance and right at 8 AM when sites become available. It cost about $75 per night. Where else can you stay a stones throw from the the beach sand for this amount of money. In addition to the beach there are great hiking trails that go back into the hillside.
Written February 4, 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.
So_Cal_Illini_81
Pasadena, CA292 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 January 10, 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, CA15,277 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 December 15, 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.
What is the best drop off site for Lyft/Uber if we want to go tide pooling?
Written October 20, 2024
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 April 6, 2021
Can you ride Trolley to Crystal Cove State Park ? is there a free Trolley route to the park?
TY.
Written May 18, 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 May 18, 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 April 26, 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 April 12, 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 April 13, 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 April 17, 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 April 30, 2018
Hi! How long was the Hike-in to the campsite? Thanks.
Written March 19, 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 March 21, 2018
Can you have a campfire at all in the campground? What about a propane grill?
Written February 21, 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 February 28, 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 January 20, 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 January 21, 2018
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