Outdoor Adventure – Visit Crystal Cove State Park in California

Ah, Southern California. A place where the average temperatures in January and August are less than 10 degrees apart. It makes it a fabulous place to be at any time of year, some might say especially the wintertime. It also makes it a fabulous place to be outside.

From San Diego all the way up to Pismo, the West Coast is lined with striding beaches, lush forests, peaking mountains and vibrant waters. Laguna, Santa Monica, Redondo, Del Mar – honestly, you could take your pick of them. But today, USA Travel Guide is heading to a place where they really have it all: Crystal Cove State Park.

Straddled by the Newport and Laguna Beaches, Crystal Cove State Park is an exuberant (and humongous) outdoor destination for fans of nature, sightseeing and athletic entertainment. Along the Pacific you’ve got just over three miles of scenic beachfront, blanketed against the coast by a 2,400-acre preserve of undeveloped woodlands. Both welcome intrepid adventurers with delights aplenty.

Doubtless the most exciting feature of Crystal Cove State Park is the designated Underwater Park, stretching for 1,140 acres just off the coast from Treasure Cove down through El Moro. A canvas of sea life scurries just below the surface, drawing in snorkelers, scuba divers and underwater photographers from all over the country. The park is protected by the Fish and Game Marine Wildlife Refuge Act, so your excursions are sure to be safe and rewarding.

Nearer the beach, surfers, body boarders, skin divers and of course swimmers have their fill of aquatic adventure. The soft sands are great for sunning, too, if a beach chair and a good book is your idea of heaven (you won’t find many who disagree here at the office).

From underwater exploration to a bevy of beach-bound bustle, that’s really not the half of it. Head inland for hiking, biking, horse riding, bird watching, camping and whatever else you can find to do with 2,400 acres of unspoiled wilderness. Stick to the trails for 17 miles of dynamic hiking spotted with breathtaking overlooks, or venture out on your own path (with caution and great care, of course).

Crystal Cove State Park is open throughout the year, but they do have operating hours that you must respect. The park opens daily at 6:00 a.m. and closes at sunset. You must vacate by this time unless dining at the Beachcomber restaurant in the Historic District. The park is free to enter, but parking passes are $15.

I’ve barely scratched the surfaced. Learn more about regular park activities as well as the special events (love that nighttime bike ride) at the Web site.

CCSP is just a short drive out from one of our favorite lesser known California getaways, Costa Mesa, where we tend to stay. Take the Pacific Coast highway (Highway 1) for the most scenic route.

For hotels in Costa Mesa, we’re partial to the Holiday Inn Express Costa Mesa. We’re fans of the Express brand – free breakfast, Internet – and we’ve always had a comfortable, affordable stay in Costa Mesa at the Holiday Inn Express.

Related Posts

No related posts.