Crystal Cove State Park has one of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California—three miles of pristine beach plus over 2000 acres of park. The main point of entry is the Crystal Cove Historic District. Here, you will find the Crystal Cove Beach cottages that were built during the 1920s
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The cottages were enjoyed for many years by lucky families that leased the historic beachfront homes of the Irvine Company. In 1979, the State of California purchased the land from the Irvine Company to form the park. By 2001, the last Crystal Cove residents had moved out, and the state took over the cottages.
Some of the cottages have been refurbished and rented out for up to a week. Reserving a cabin is next to impossible due to the high demand, but it can be done if you know a few insider tricks.
The beach at Crystal Cove State Beach is one of the few places left in Orange County where you can walk for miles along the coastline and still see it in its natural state. The offshore waters are designated as an underwater park with excellent conditions for scuba divers.
Crystal Cove was named in 1927 by Elizabeth Wood because the name seemed right for such a beautiful place. Even with the multi-million dollar homes of Newport Coast looking down on the beach, Crystal Cove remains a beautiful place.
Crystal Cove State Beach visitors can explore tidepools and sandy coves, kick back on the sand, and take in the incredible scenery. There are about three miles of beach at Crystal Cove, with just about all of it hidden from the busy Pacific Coast Highway.
Dining options are Ruby’s Shake Shack, which sits on the bluff overlooking Crystal Cove, or The Beachcomber Restaurant, which sits right on the beach. The Beachcomber Restaurant probably has the best location in Orange County.
Crystal Cove Shake Shack
Locals would like to keep the restaurant to themselves, but it’s just too lovely a location to keep a secret. The Beachcomber is always busy, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you have to wait for a table at the Beachcomber, they give you an electronic pager, and you can walk on the beach until your table is ready.
Crystal Beach Cove Cottages
The Cottages at Crystal Cove State Beach can be rented out for up to one week at a time. Imagine spending a week at beautiful Crystal Cove in your private cottage with the beach as your front yard. Sounds great.
It sounds excellent to thousands of people, and unfortunately, only a few cottages are available for rent.
It is not impossible to rent a Crystal Cove Cottage, but it will take some time and a little luck. If you don’t get a cottage, you can still enjoy one of Southern California’s best beaches for a day. Check out our guide to renting a cabin at Crystal Cove State Park.
Getting to Crystal Cove State Beach
Crystal Cove State Park is off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach. The beach has three entrance points: Reef Point, Pelican Point, and Los Trancos.
The main entrance and location of the cottages are at Crystal Cove-Los Transco’s central intersection, the first traffic light south of Newport Coast Drive. Turn right toward the ocean at Crystal Cove to enter the park.
Parking is in the Los Trancos lot and costs $15.00 daily. If you dine at The Beachcomber Restaurant, park at Los Trancos parking on the east side of Pacific Coast Highway.
The Beachcomber has a Shuttle with pick up at the picnic bench and umbrella adjacent to the park’s office building. The Beachcomber will validate the parking tickets with a purchase of $10.00 or more.
I’ve been lucky & have rented there five times now. My favorite cottages are #14 and #40
It is a place that time forgot.
Are the cabins at crystal cove dog friendly?
Only ADA Service Animals are allowed at the cottages.