Crystal Cove State Park 8471 N
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Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and he ocean and shoreline, Crystal Cove education of the people of California by helping T to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological visible from nearly all State Park diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. points along Pacific Coast Highway, dominate the coastal portion of the park. From the high ridges California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who above Moro Canyon, need assistance should contact the park at (949) 494-3539. If you need this publication in an visitors enjoy an expansive alternate format, contact [email protected]. view of the ocean, the CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS interior valleys, and the P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 mountain ranges beyond. (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Crystal Cove State Park 8471 N. Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 494-3539 www.parks.ca.gov/crystalcove © 2004 California State Parks (Rev. 2019) C rystal Cove State Park’s rolling surf, years, the Native People established villages assistance of a Native American workforce, sandy beaches, tide pools, gently sloping in Moro Canyon near two natural springs. Sepulveda used Moro Canyon’s seasonal hills, and deeply wooded canyons and Their food sources included waterfowl, fish pastures for cattle grazing. After 1850, ridges provide a delightful contrast to its from the kelp beds and surf zones, and a a run of bad luck — along with land title urban surroundings. Located off busy Pacific variety of plants and animals. These first complications — pushed Sepulveda into Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and people developed a number of specialized debt. He sold Rancho San Joaquin in 1864. Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove is one of Orange crafts and tools including nets, fishhooks, The Irvine Company County’s largest remaining examples of basketry, stone implements, ritual objects, San Francisco financier James Irvine and open space and natural seashore. and tule canoes. three Northern California ranchers The park’s climate is characterized by With the arrival of Spanish missionaries, purchased the rancho and stocked it with moist, foggy summer mornings, with the fog the Native People were drawn into the thousands of sheep. In 1876 Irvine bought burning off by midmorning to bring warm, mission system. At Mission San Gabriel and out his partners when ranching failed sunny days and cool evenings. Mission San Juan Capistrano, their way of life due to droughts, wool infestations, and changed drastically with the introduction of PARK HISTORY competitive markets. After Irvine’s death new religious and agricultural practices. in 1886, sheep ranching continued as Native People Rancho San Joaquin other ranching activities developed. Archaelogical sites and artifacts associated After José Andrés Sepulveda acquired James Irvine II inherited the ranch from with the Gabrielino (Tongva) and Juaneño land from the Mexican government in 1836, his father and diversified the agricultural (Acjachemen) have been discovered Mission San Juan Capistrano’s business by leasing land to tenant throughout the park. For more than 9,000 grazing area became known as farmers. He incorporated his land Rancho San Joaquin. With the holdings and created the Irvine Company on June 4, 1894. Historic District Japanese Farmers Crystal Cove a seasonal trailer Beginning in 1927, Japanese farmers The Irvine Company also leased the coastal destination known leased land from the Irvine Company area to filmmakers and vacationers. Palm- as El Morro Beach and built homes, barns, and a community thatched structures emerged at Crystal Cove, Trailer Park. Later, center known as Laguna Beach Language serving as both tropical movie backdrops and about 300 School (a building now preserved within beach cottage rentals. permanent the Historic District). Planting hundreds Beginning in the 1920s, people traveled manufactured of acres of crops, the farmers sold the new Pacific Coast Highway to visit the homes produce from roadside stands and to beach. The cove soon became a popular replaced Los Angeles markets. destination to pitch tents or rent cottages. By seasonal beach trailers in this Life changed dramatically during World the late 1930s, the Irvine Company limited area. After tenants’ leases expired in 2005, War II, when the Japanese community was the development of the area to the current 46 the trailers were removed to develop the sent to an internment camp in Poston, cottages. In time, long-term leases were made, Moro Campground and day-use facility. Arizona. As a result, they forever lost tent camping was eliminated, and the Crystal NATURAL HISTORY their farms and homes along the Crystal Cove community became a private beach. Cove hills. The National Register of Historic Places Coastal Strand Although the Japanese farmers did not listed Crystal Cove for its unique vernacular The beach’s 3.2 miles are bordered by return to the area, agriculture and ranching architecture in 1979, the year the Irvine hardy, fleshy-leafed plants growing low practices continued into the 1970s. Over Company sold this land to the State of against salt-sprayed dunes. Shoreside tide the years, the Irvine Company leased California. Some of the cottages have been pools are visible at low tide. its land for farming, equestrian use, and restored by California State Parks and the Coastal Bluffs cattle grazing. During the early days of Crystal Cove Conservancy for public use At high tide, the surf laps against the base of State Parks ownership, these activities and enjoyment. 80-foot bluffs. Two bluff-top public parking ended to enhance natural preservation Crystal Cove State Park is part of the 40,000- areas, Reef Point and Pelican Point, offer and public recreation. acre Irvine Ranch National and California access to the beach. Natural Landmarks. This designation has Flora been bestowed by both the State of California Various plant communities in Crystal Cove and the U.S. Department of the Interior to State Park include: recognize the exceptional value of these lands Coastal Sage Scrub —This dense shrub to California and the nation. Please visit community spreads across the coastal www.letsgooutside.org for information. terrace, along the sides of lower Moro Moro Beach and Canyon Canyon and upper Moro Canyon, especially Tyron’s Camp (a café, auto camp, and tent on the north-facing reaches. The resinous, campground) opened during the 1920s along highly flammable vegetation regenerates the beach and inland at Moro Canyon. In quickly after burning. the late 1950s, the complex evolved into Miyada family vegetable stand, ca. 1936 Southern Riparian Woodland—Along the MOVIES MADE small watershed represented by seasonal AT CRYSTAL COVE Moro Creek, sycamores, oaks, and willows are found. Undergrowth includes elderberry, 1918 TREASURE ISLAND toyon, and lemonade berry. 1920 THE SEA WOLF Fauna The intertidal wildlife includes striped 1923 STORMSWEPT shore crabs, sea hares, and sea anemones. 1927 THE WRECK OF THE On the bluffs and terraces, ground HESPERUS squirrels, cottontail rabbits, western fence 1928 SADIE THOMPSON lizards, California kingsnakes, California HALF A BRIDE gnatcatchers, California quail, and deer are found. The park’s open space areas offer WHITE SHADOWS IN Backcountry Trails THE SOUTH SEAS habitat for coyotes, bobcats, roadrunners, From the Moro Canyon parking lot, access 1929 THE ISLE OF LOST SHIPS gopher snakes, western toads, red-tailed 2,400 undeveloped acres. The trails are open hawks, California thrashers, rattlesnakes, to hiking, biking, and equestrian use. Maps are 1932 RAIN and more. available at the ranger station. 1934 TREASURE ISLAND RECREATION Beach Activities 1938 THE GREAT HEART Reservations are imperative for all historic Seven separate coves line 3.2 miles of beach, 1944 TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT cottages, coastal campsites, and backcountry offering spectacular sunbathing, swimming, sites at Crystal Cove State Park. For details surfing, diving, fishing, and tide pool viewing. 1951 TWO OF A KIND and links to site-specific reservations, call Please do not disturb tide pool habitat. For 1974 HERBIE RIDES AGAIN (800) 444-7275 or visit the website at fishing regulations, visit 1985 CREATOR www.parks.ca.gov/crystalcove. www.wildlife.ca.gov. 1988 BEACHES Coastal Camping Underwater Area Completed in 2011, Moro Campground The park’s offshore area Marine Protected Area and is a haven for offers 57 sites with unparalleled ocean is part of the Crystal Cove marine life and ocean recreational activities. views. Hookups serve 27 sites; the other State Marine Conservation For more information, please visit www. 30 are suitable for tents, tent trailers, or wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/mpas. van conversions. Backcountry Primitive Camping SPECIAL EVENTS A fairly strenuous, three- to four-mile uphill The park welcomes special events, hike leads to three separate camping areas. including weddings, picnics, parties, and film Campers must pack in and out all of their shoots. For event reservations and permit supplies, including water. information, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/ crystalcove/specialevents. LODGING AND FOOD SERVICES NEARBY STATE PARKS PLEASE REMEMBER The park’s concession partner, Crystal • Huntington State Beach, Pacific Coast Highway • Park hours are 6 a.m. to sunset daily, Cove Conservancy, provides food (Highway 1) at Beach Blvd. (Highway 39) year-round. Historic District hours are and overnight lodging services at the (714) 536-1454 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Beachcomber Café, Crystal Cove Shake • Doheny State Beach, off Pacific Coast Highway • Possession of alcohol is prohibited Shack, and Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Hwy. 1) at Dana Point Harbor at Del Obispo St. throughout the park, except at the For more information, please visit (949) 496-6171 Beachcomber Café and within campsites www.crystalcove.org and at Moro Campground.