Crystal Cove, Newport Beach CA

• 4-star hikes
• 3 to 5 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 480 to 1,060 feet
• Newport Beach, CA | Los Angeles Region
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Best ocean views are in the hills above the trailhead.

The Pacific Coast Highway narrows slightly as it passes through a three-mile corridor between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Here, Crystal Cove State Park preserves 3.2 miles of coastline and 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness that remain largely undeveloped despite the surrounding urban density.

Two established routes provide access to the park's coastal and inland environments. Additional trails extend into the backcountry, where campgrounds offer overnight accommodations. The trail system connects beach access points with ridgeline paths that climb into the San Joaquin Hills.

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⬤ 4★ Moro Ridge Loop   4.8 mi loop, moderate, gain 1,060 ft GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 4★ Moro Canyon Loop   2.8 mi loop, moderate, gain 480 ft GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

$  CA State Park fee

The park includes multiple environments: sandy beaches, tidepools, several sea caves accessible during low tide and canyon systems that drain toward the ocean. Native coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats dominate the inland areas. Most paths feature natural dirt surfaces and winter rainfall can transform the Moro Canyon trail into muddy conditions and causes erosion on hillside routes, making them difficult to navigate.

Parking requires payment and is available at the primary trailhead. Additional parking exists near the Moro Canyon entrance on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway. The State Park operates under a day-use fee structure, with annual passes accepted. The historic district contains 46 cottages built between 1920 and 1940, some available for overnight rental. Beach access is free for pedestrians and cyclists using the coastal pathway system.

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Fire patrol at the top of the Poles Trail.


Heading down from Moro Ridge on a counterclockwise hike.


The dirt trails get muddy and slippery after rains.

Tangents:
• Official: Crystal Cove State Park
• AllTrails Public: Canyon Loop, Ridge Loop
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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