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Crystal Cove State Park - Site # 63 |
Crystal Cove Cottages are for rent for overnight stays or a visit to the Beachcomber Cafe on the beach within the Historic District. |
| Regional - worth visiting if you are already in the area. They may be located farther from populated areas or with more limited wildlife species. |
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Background: | Three miles of bluff-backed beaches and rocky points give way to Moro Canyon's riparian woodland, a home to bobcats, coyotes, and many songbirds. Birds of prey hunt the uplands, while gulls, terns, and shorebirds inhabit sheltered beaches. View coastal tidepools and ospreys, brown pelicans, harbor seals, California sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and California gray whales. |
| Crystal Cove Cottages are for rent for overnight stays or a visit to the Beachcomber Cafe on the beach within the Historic District. |
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The Habitat: | More than three miles of rocky shoreline and tidepools,and pocket beaches. Coastal sage scrub covers 65%, grasslands 30%, and riparian 5%. |
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The Experience: | Coastal sage scrub habitat is threatened by human impacts, but in this location the habitat can be enjoyed while observing the beach and ocean below from several formal overlooks. |
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Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Coastal terrace parking is surrounded by habitat. Coastal bluff viewing is 100-300 yards from parking. Dirt trails in backcountry offer extensive hiking or short jaunts. |
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Viewing Tips: | More than 150 bird species. High probability of seeing shorebirds and marine birds in fall and winter, songbirds in spring and summer. Birds of prey and marine mammals can be seen year-round. Watch for whales from December to February. Twenty miles of hiking, bicycling, and equiestrian trails. Hike-in, dry camping. |
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Site Notes: | Beach, tidepools, marine mammals, and Moro Canyon. |
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Nearby Viewing Sites: | Doheny State Beach, Laguna Coast Wilderness, Laguna and Woods Canyon Regional Park, Huntington Beach Wetlands |
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Festivals & Events: | Events for plants, animals, birds, geology, and historic field trips
Unk |
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Visitor Information: | Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau - (949) 497-9229 - http://www.lagunabeachinfo.org |
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: |
Staff On-site: | Yes |
Open: | Everday |
Hours: | 6am to sunset Hours may change, check park website |
Year Round: | Yes |
Seasonal: | Rain/mud closures, and for high fire danger |
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Road Information: |
Paved. |
| Road Hazards: No. 3. Public safety. Visiting California State Parks and viewing wildlife is an experience in the natural world with the same inherent risks as other outdoor adventures. Changing weather conditions, rugged terrain with changing trail and road conditions, and hazards of surf and other waters, plants (poison oak, falling limbs, etc.) and animals (mountain lions, rattlesnakes, ticks, etc.) are a part of life outdoors, as is protecting yourself and your belongings. Use the Visit a Park link at the State Park web page for precautions and public safety information. |
| Number of Parking Spaces: 1200 |
| Parking Fee: Yes |
| Proximity to viewing area:100-300 yds |
| Pull-Through Parking: Yes |
| Parking Notes: Parking fee subject to change. See park website.
Note 3. Public safety. Visiting California State Parks and viewing wildlife is an experience in the natural world with the same inherent risks as other outdoor adventures. Changing weather conditions, rugged terrain with changing trail and road conditions, and hazards of surf and other waters, plants (poison oak, falling limbs, etc.) and animals (mountain lions, rattlesnakes, ticks, etc.) are a part of life outdoors, as is protecting yourself and your belongings. Use the Visit a Park link at the State Park web page for precautions and public safety information. |
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How to Get There: | From Newport Beach, take Highway 1 south 1 mile to Pelican Point parking lot, 2 miles to Reef Point, or 1.25 miles to the parking area for El Moro Canyon. |
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Contact Information |
Managing Agency: | California State Parks |
Agency Site URL: | http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=644 |
Physical Address: | 8471 North Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 |
Agency 2: | 8471 North Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 |
Manager Phone: | (949) 494-3539 |
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Site Phone: | (714) 494-3539 | | |
County: | Orange |
Addition Website: |
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