Crystal Cove State Park

This stunning stretch of Southern Californian coastline is paradise for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.

Crystal Cove is a stunning oceanfront wildlife reserve, perfect for picnicking, hiking, sunbathing and more.

The park is divided into two sections. The beach side has three miles (five kilometers) of pristine beach and a protected water park popular with scuba divers, snorkelers, surfers and swimmers. Behind the beach is 2,400 acres (971 hectares) of undeveloped woodland. Here you will find hiking trails, campsites and mountain vistas. Pay for an all-day parking pass and leave your vehicle in one of the three public parking lots while you take your time exploring.

To choose a walking trail, pick up a map from a ranger at the park’s visitor center. Easy walks pass numerous oceanfront lookouts. Hike the perimeter of the park on the advanced 11-mile (17-kilometer) trail. Mountain bikers and horseback enthusiasts can choose from the series of dirt paths that wind through the area. There are also basic campsites nestled deep in the woodland, dubbed the park’s “Back Country.” Getting to these sites is recommended only for the energetic, as they require several hours of strenuous hiking to reach. You must also take all supplies, including water. Alternatively, there are easily accessible waterfront camps and van sites that have communal restrooms and showers to use for a small fee.

The best-known pocket of Crystal Cove is the Historic District. This seaside village has rustic beach cottages, a restaurant, snack bar and souvenir shop. The more than 40 cottages were built in the 1920s and ’30s, and one appears in the 1988 film Beaches, starring Bette Midler. About half the cottages are restored as holiday rentals, which are booked solidly year-round. For reservations, book at least seven months in advance. On a day trip you can take a guided tour of the village on the second Saturday of the month. Book at the visitor center.

Crystal Cove is a short drive south of tourist hot spots Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Crystal Cove State Park

Lyon Air Museum

See some of the rarest flying machinery left over from World War II and learn about the United States’ role in aviation history.

Orange County

Soak up sunshine and good vibes in the land of theme parks, shopping, surfing and maybe some celeb spotting.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

This majestic venue is the heart and soul of Orange County’s performing arts community.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Once a religious and agricultural community of a thousand, this mission is now an Orange County historic cultural hub.

Santa Ana Zoo

Count the monkeys at this charming little zoo that promises at least 50 primates are always present.

Hotels near Crystal Cove State Park

Hilton Anaheim

777 W Convention Way

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Anaheim hotel is located near the beach, within 3 mi (5 km) of Disney California Adventure® Park, Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Honda Center. Disneyland® and Bowers Museum are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Hyatt Regency Orange County

11999 Harbor Blvd

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Garden Grove hotel is located in the entertainment district, within 2 mi (3 km) of Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim GardenWalk, and UC Irvine Medical Center. Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim

1221 S Harbor Blvd

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Anaheim Resort, this resort is within 1 mi (2 km) of Anaheim Global Medical Center and Downtown Disney® District. Anaheim Convention Center and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 2 mi (3 km).

DoubleTree by Hilton Anaheim - Orange County

100 The City Dr S

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Situated in the business district, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of American College of Law and UC Irvine Medical Center. The Outlets at Orange and Angel Stadium of Anaheim are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Anabella Hotel

1030 W Katella Ave

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Set amid 7 acres of landscaped grounds, this smoke-free condominium resort is right across the street from Disneyland® Resort and adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Anaheim Hotel

1700 S Harbor Blvd

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Anaheim Resort, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Anaheim GardenWalk and Anaheim Convention Center. Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Best Western Plus Meridian Inn & Suites, Anaheim-Orange

720 The City Drive S

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Situated in the suburbs, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of The Outlets at Orange and Vans Skate Park. UC Irvine Medical Center and The Outlets at Orange are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Hotel Lulu, BW Premier Collection

1850 S Harbor Blvd

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Anaheim Resort, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Anaheim GardenWalk and Anaheim Convention Center. Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Fairfield by Marriott Anaheim Resort

1460 S Harbor Blvd

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Anaheim hotel is located in Anaheim Resort, within 1 mi (2 km) of Anaheim GardenWalk and Anaheim Convention Center. Disneyland® is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) away.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Anaheim Rsrt - Conv Cntr

2085 S Harbor Blvd

Located in Anaheim Resort, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim GardenWalk. Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort

616 W Convention Way

Rated 3.4 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Anaheim hotel is located in the entertainment district, within a 15-minute walk of Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim GardenWalk. Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel

900 S Disneyland Dr

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Anaheim hotel is located in the business district, within 1 mi (2 km) of Anaheim Global Medical Center and Downtown Disney® District. Disney California Adventure® Park and Anaheim Convention Center are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Anaheim Marriott Hotel

700 W Convention Way

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Alamo Inn & Suites

1140 W Katella Ave

Rated 3.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Anaheim Resort, this motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Anaheim Convention Center and Disney California Adventure® Park. Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Honda Center are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground

1380 S Harbor Blvd

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Anaheim hotel is located near the airport, within 1 mi (2 km) of Anaheim Global Medical Center, Anaheim Convention Center, and Anaheim GardenWalk. Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Kings Inn Anaheim at the Park & Convention Center

415 W Katella Ave

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Anaheim Resort, this motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Anaheim Convention Center and Downtown Disney® District. Disney California Adventure® Park and City National Grove of Anaheim are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

1600 S Disneyland Dr

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Anaheim resort is located near the airport, within a 10-minute walk of Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park. Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim GardenWalk are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort

1855 S Harbor Blvd

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Anaheim hotel is located near the airport, within a 10-minute walk of Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim GardenWalk. Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Desert Palms Hotel & Suites

631 W Katella Ave

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport Newport Beach

4545 Macarthur Blvd

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Airport Area, this hotel is 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from University of California, Irvine and within 6 mi (10 km) of South Coast Plaza and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Fashion Island and Sherman Library and Garden are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Ayres Hotel Anaheim

2550 E Katella Ave

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Southeast Anaheim, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Honda Center and City National Grove of Anaheim. Anaheim Convention Center and Angel Stadium of Anaheim are also within 3 mi (5 km). Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center is only a 4-minute walk.

Travelodge by Wyndham Anaheim Convention Center

2060 S Harbor Blvd

Rated 3.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Anaheim Resort, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim GardenWalk. Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Tropicana Inn and Suites

1540 S Harbor Blvd

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Anaheim Resort, this motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Anaheim GardenWalk, Anaheim Convention Center, and Anaheim Global Medical Center. American Sports Center and Anaheim Indoor Marketplace are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Disneyland Hotel

1150 W Magic Way

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Anaheim resort is located near the airport, within 1 mi (2 km) of Downtown Disney® District and Disney California Adventure® Park. Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim GardenWalk are also within 2 mi (3 km).