Oct 6, 2020
Take a sneak peek at ecological research happening in Crystal Cove State Park! In December 2019, we began working with Dr. Wallace Meyer, an insect ecologist from Pomona College, and ten high school interns from Dana Hills High school to determine how the use of mulch in restoration affects the distribution of ants. Mulch — […]
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 […]
Feb 12, 2020
The beach cottages of Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District are one of Southern California’s most iconic destinations, giving visitors a glimpse into simpler times along the California coast. Today, twenty-nine of the forty-six cottages have been fully restored and are open to visitors and producing revenue to support the Conservancy’s education programs and […]
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 […]
Oct 16, 2019
In 1968, artist Alice Powell and her husband Tom acquired Cottage #32, also known by the whimsical “Hi-de-Ho” sign displayed on its exterior. Alice was a ceramicist who kept a kiln and workshop in the backyard of the cottage and hand painted her original fired work. Tom passed away in 1987, and Alice later […]
Oct 16, 2019
So far, 29 of the 46 cottages in Crystal Cove’s Historic District have been restored and turned into low-cost coastal accommodations, providing public access to the beach and allowing individuals and families the opportunity to stay overnight mere feet from the water at extremely affordable rates. Today, 17 of the historic seaside cottages at Crystal […]
Jul 13, 2018
Celebrating the Summertime Anniversary of Crystal Cove Beach Cottages “Happiness to All Who Visit This Cottage” “We feel like California time travelers …. we never want to leave. Don’t change a thing; everything is perfect!” This 2009 hand-written entry from the guest journal of restored historic cottage #29 is one of many reflections recorded […]
Apr 13, 2018
Last year, Crystal Cove Conservancy commissioned artist Kevin Davidson to paint each of the 17 unrestored cottages in the North Beach area of Crystal Cove State Park depicting them as they will look upon completion of the Phase III restoration project. Kevin has been a Crystal Cove Park Interpretive Store artist for many years. His […]
Oct 18, 2017
Cottage 14 – South Beach Suite Named for its location right on the beach, Cottage #14, “South Beach Suite” was originally built in 1931 by a woman named Edith Henning. The second permanent cottage constructed on Crystal Cove’s South Beach, Cottage #14 offers spectacular ocean access and views, as well as iconic Cove history. “Miss […]
Sep 15, 2017
The trip back in time begins at noon, but when it concludes two hours later, guests have learned about more than Crystal Cove’s past in the monthly Founder’s Historic District Tour — they’ve also learned about Crystal Cove’s present and future. Crystal Cove Conservancy founder Laura Davick first started offering an informal tour of the […]
