Posted in Southern California National & State Parks, Nature July 07, 2017 by

The Southern California Park That Will Make You Feel Like You Walked Into A Fairy Tale

When you picture the most beautiful park in Southern California, what comes to mind? Perhaps a pristine sandy beach with a refreshing ocean breeze; miles of scenic trails with panoramic views; or thousands of acres of untouched backcountry filled with unique wildlife? If that kind of scenery sounds like heaven, then you’ll want to check out this stunning state park in SoCal that offers up access to all of those things in one destination.

Located in Newport Beach in the heart of Orange County, you'll find a picturesque state park filled with close to 4,000 acres of coastline, bluffs, canyons, and wilderness.
wikimedia commons/don ramey logan
Crystal Cove State Park can be found right off Pacific Coast Highway nestled between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar.
yelp/angela s.
At first glance it may seem as though this is just a typical SoCal beach. However, once you start exploring this vast open space, you'll quickly discover that Crystal Cove offers so much more than oceanfront adventures.
yelp/eunice l.
Although, we must confess, the three mile stretch of beach access is pretty impressive.
yelp/michelle m.
yelp/nicole k.
Especially when you head down to the sand for a barefoot walk at magic hour. Such a delightful thing to do on a warm summer night in SoCal.
yelp/sean t.
In addition to beach access, Crystal Cove State Park is also home to miles and miles of scenic trails that will take you through stunning canyons and bluffs. All in all, you'll have access to 17 different trails.
yelp/bojun l.
With a total of 2,400 acres of undeveloped backcountry to explore at this park, you'll never run out of new paths to take for a great hike.
yelp/erin l.
Crystal Cove State Park is also known for its historic district that dates back to the 1920s and '30s. It's fun to see so many of the original beach houses that were built in that era still standing.
yelp/zoe c.
yelp/zoe c.
Not only is this state park a worthy destination for a day trip, but it's quite sublime for an overnighter as well. Nothing like pitching a tent and waking up to an ocean view in the morning.
yelp/luke w.
There's so much variety at Crystal Cove Park for you to see and explore that it's highly possible you'll start jumping for joy after an enchanting day at this picture-perfect SoCal destination.
yelp/sue m.

Crystal Cove State Park is filled with rare beauty at every angle. It truly is like walking into a fairytale. Have you ever had the chance to spend an afternoon at this picturesque destination?

For another must-see destination in SoCal, you might enjoy taking a look at these floating cabins that are the perfect place to stay on a hot summer SoCal day.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.