Feb 12, 2020
The blue cottage on the cliff has been nestled over the ocean for nearly eighty years, its lightly weathered wood siding blending with sea, land, and sky. Once called “Provence Cottage,” charming Cottage #33 has been restored and renamed as “Romantic Retreat,” and is now part of the year-round overnight lodging at Crystal Cove. From […]
Jan 15, 2020
In the late 1930s, four young women pooled their money to build a palm-frond-covered beach cottage at Crystal Cove. Perched on an ocean-front bluff above winding brick stairs, the retreat was originally called “Elmarudor.” Nearly a century later, the palm fronds have been replaced with dark shingles and the cottage is now available for public […]
Jan 15, 2020
Throughout the years here at the Cove, many people have come and gone. One of those special people was Jeff Stevenson, who passed away late last year. Jeff could often be spotted driving around the Cove in an electric golf cart with his signature hat and warm smile. Jeff was a Crystal Cove Beach Cottages […]
Jan 15, 2020
If you are out and about hiking in Crystal Cove State Park, you are likely to see lots evidence of the native wildlife, such as tracks, scat, and scratch marks. Bobcats are highly adaptable to living in a variety of habitats, but these beautiful animals are very secretive and solitary. We see their signs, but […]
Jan 15, 2020
I first started staying at Crystal Cove approximately 3 years ago during a very difficult time in my life. I found when I rented a cottage for one or two days, I could forget about everything else. I would read books, walk on the beach, sit and enjoy the fabulous sunsets every evening (I must […]
Dec 12, 2019
‘Tis the season to explore our underwater park. Winter months offer the lowest tides of the year with peaceful, uncrowded beaches making it the perfect time to discover the wonders of Crystal Cove’s tide pools. You could say tide pool organisms are the survivors of the ocean, living in two separate worlds where the ocean […]
Dec 12, 2019
“The whole glorious story of … Crystal Cove” is the one Christine Shirley wanted visitors to understand when they visited Cottage #23, “Casita del Mar” on the North Beach. Christine first started visiting the cove in the 1930s, and acquired the lease to Cottage #23 in 1967. Among the terms she used most to describe […]
Nov 17, 2019
Since 2016, fifth grade students from across Orange County have joined Crystal Cove Conservancy educators, UC Irvine scientists, and State Park land managers, helping us investigate how to best protect and preserve threatened open spaces like Crystal Cove State Park through the Project Crystal Community Science program. Last month, the findings from data collected by […]
Nov 14, 2019
Crystal Cove State Park – Accessibility for All Access to Crystal Cove State Park’s stunning beaches and blufftops have always provided challenges for visitors of all abilities who want to experience all that our unique park has to offer. Despite the challenges of a rugged and diverse environment, accommodations are continually being made to improve […]
Nov 14, 2019
Back in 1982, a Los Angeles Times article on the Crystal Cove Historic District reported “It was almost as if all the houses were just rooms belonging to one great house.” This description captures the spirit of community and of place that has emerged at Crystal Cove over the decades. While the original character and history […]
