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Crystal Cove State Park
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Crystal Cove is one of those areas that you could spend years exploring. This large stretch of beach has several entry points, and depending upon how far you want to hike, you can choose a different entry for every day of the year!
Directions: Drive 4.5 miles South of the Newport Bridge. You'll see the miles of wild beachfront, and the entrance to the park.
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Diver
Reviews: (Please share your
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here!)
01/17/2006 Kendall Roberg (Avg: 4.31 Review) - What an awesome place to dive! I took my newly certified brother out here to dive and we had a great time. The winter surf was a little challenging, but we still made it. We found a large reef filled with Garibaldi, Senorita, and Lobsters! There was no kelp on the surface (I think the recent massive wave probably harvested it a bit), but there was plenty of eel grass and shorter kelp underwater. We went down to 32 feet and found a lobster trap, too (no lobsters in it). The walk to the beach is .32 miles and the showers are currently closed for the season (I guess they don't have as many visitors in the winter). Other than that, this was great place to dive.
08/17/2004 J. Williams (Avg: 4.08 Review) - Absolutely gorgeous area with plenty of wildlife and a diversity of habitats. Amazing reefs. Get there early and parking is free (otherwise $10), showers and bathrooms, not a terrible climb up or down to the beach. When the waves are breaking, entry is a bit rough, and surge can be a problem, but well worth the effort. Up to 40 ft vis in some areas.
03/04/2003 Ken (Avg: 3.95 Review) - HI! I am the lifeguard supervisor/dive team leader for Crystal Cove State Park. Crystal Cove is a designated "Underwater Park" and a Marine Life Refuge (Irvine Coast). Awesome variety of marine life and good diversity of bottom types. Excellent photography opportunities and limited recreational fishing (lobster and designated game fish only). Game hunters should expect to be checked every dive by park lifeguards, rangers, and game wardens. A new site of interest is a 150 year old historical anchor located just west of the Muddy Creek access ramp (east end of Reef Point parking lot) in approx 20 foot depth, about 150 yards off shore. Also, divers may now drop off / pick up gear at the entrance station to the Historic District (PCH / Crystal Cove signal light). This access provides for easy beach diving down and up coast of the beach cottages. Contact park lifeguards/rangers at 949 494-3539 for additional diving safety tips!
06/17/2002 Jeff (Avg: 3.46 Review) - I actually went to reef point...which, I guess, is contained within Crystal Cove. Lots to see here...kelp, reef, life, etc. Facilities were AWESOME...showers, restrooms, and changing rooms. It is a state park, so parking fees apply. annual pass is $35...daily is $3 or so. From the parking lot, there is a steep concrete slope down to the beach...Very tiring...especially up...BUT very do-able. Once down on the beach, the water is about 25 feet ahead...surge is present…
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Site Photos
Maps
(what is GPS?) |
Photo
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Comments |
| Parking
Map
Sat
GPS: CM2001
N33°34.7565'
W117°50.7305'
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One of the Northern parking areas with restrooms.
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| Trail Head
Map
Sat
GPS: CM2002
N33°34.9187'
W117°51.1071'
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The trails are generally well-developed.
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| Overview
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Prepare for a hike down (and back up) the cliff. You can see the rocky point in the background, as well as the delineations of sand, reef and kelp.
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| Overview
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The swell here can be overpowering. Only dive on a calm day. Get advice from your local dive shop.
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Last Verification: July, 2001
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2.75
3.75
4.25
3.25