Hidden Gems in Crystal Cove

Treasure Cove

Tide pools · Moderate · Best at low tide

Reached by trails down the steep bluff from the Pelican Point day-use lots, with the tide pools at the northern edge after "a half-mile walk along the bluff trail and another quarter mile along the beach". A tall rock wall with an observation platform separates it from Little Treasure Cove, and a cave in that wall opens at lower tides.

• Tide: Visit at low tide, 1.5 ft or lower. The cave is only accessible at lower tides.
• Swimming: Rocky. Not a good swimming spot.
• Dogs: No dogs on the beach.

Described from crystalcovestatepark.org, californiabeaches.com

Little Treasure Cove

Beach · Moderate · Best at low tide

The northernmost part of Crystal Cove State Park, best at low tide when the rocks and pools are exposed, since at higher tides there is barely any sand at the back of the cove. Sources differ on access: California Beaches says the original beach trail is closed and a paved path from the northern Pelican Point lot now leads to an observation platform, while a trip guide describes carrying on down to a narrow sea cave.

• Tide: At higher tides there is barely any sand at the back of the cove. Go at low tide.
• Access: Sources disagree on the route: one says the original beach trail is closed and a paved path now ends at an observation platform, another describes continuing down to the cove.

Described from californiabeaches.com, awanderingturtle.com

Scotchman's Cove

Tide pools · Moderate · Best at low tide

Reached from the Reef Point lot at Crystal Cove State Park, where, in the park's words, "a stairway delivers you to the popular Scotchman's Cove". The park flags it as one of its best surfing areas; note that naming is loose locally, and California Beaches treats Scotchman's Cove as another name for Reef Point Beach rather than a separate cove.

• Tide: Low tide required. Stairway from Reef Point parking.

Described from crystalcovestatepark.org, californiabeaches.com

Moro Canyon Trail

Trail · Moderate

The park lists this as an easy 3.0-mile out-and-back from the Ranger Station, rising only from about 35 to 178 feet. Hiking Guy's fuller loop using East Cut Across and Moro Ridge is 4.2 miles with 720 feet of gain, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, with the ocean views coming on the ridge descent.

• Conditions: Muddy and slippery after rain.

Described from crystalcovestatepark.org, hikingguy.com

Pelican Point

Viewpoint · Moderate

Four bluff-top car parks, each with restrooms and outdoor showers, linked by a one-mile trail through sage scrub, with a boardwalk down to the tide pools. Fun Orange County Parks adds that an archway shields part of the path from golf balls, that the steps back up are steep, and that rattlesnakes are about in warm weather.

• Wildlife: Rattlesnakes are about in warm weather. Stay on the boardwalk and paths.
• Effort: The steps back up from the beach are steep.
• Access: State park day-use fee applies.

Described from crystalcovestatepark.org, funorangecountyparks.com

These places change and we do not get to visit them all. If something here is closed, moved, or just wrong, tell us and we will fix it.

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