At Crystal Cove Conservancy, our community programs invite people of all ages to experience the magic of Crystal Cove State Park through hands-on exploration, learning, and connection. Rooted in our mission to protect and preserve Crystal Cove’s natural, cultural, and historic resources, these events transform the park into a living classroom and creative hub. From thought-provoking Cove Talks with environmental leaders and family-friendly Thursdays in the Commons, to coastal hikes, plein air art workshops, and Movies on the Beach under the stars, each gathering offers a meaningful way to engage with the landscape and become part of a shared story of conservation. Whether you’re planting native species on Stewardship Saturdays or watching grunion run with a telescope in hand, there’s something for everyone to enjoy—and every moment helps protect this extraordinary place for future generations. Browse our calendar listing for upcoming events.
Stewardship Saturday
You and your family are invited to help us protect Crystal Cove State Park’s ecosystems. Join us on the second Saturday of each month to volunteer on conservation projects in the Park. The event is free with prior registration.
Discovery 101 Series
The Discovery Series invites members to experience Crystal Cove State Park in a deeper, more intentional way. These beginner-friendly, educator-led “101” experiences are designed to help you slow down, look closer, and return with a growing sense of confidence and connection. Classes include Birding, Tidepooling, Nature Photography, Hiking, and Backpacking.
Plein Air Art Classes
Crystal Cove State Park has a long history of Plein Air artists painting and preserving its beautiful landscapes. Now you can be a part of this 100-year-old tradition! Spend a relaxing day with one of Crystal Cove State Park’s Plein Air artists while capturing the beauty of the Cove on canvas. No experience required. Workshops are available novice painters.
Family Art Days
This family-friendly art program invites participants to participate in hands-on activities inspired by the Cove’s coastal landscapes, wildlife, and conservation stories. Conservancy staff will lead a series of drop-in, nature-inspired art activities designed for all ages.
Cove Talks
Cove Talks is Crystal Cove Conservancy’s speaker series that brings visionary leaders to Crystal Cove State Park to share bold ideas and fresh perspectives on protecting our coast and planet. Focused on environmental issues, each event features voices from across the field, including nonprofit leaders, California policymakers, scientists, authors, and academics. These engaging conversations invite the community to deepen their connection to nature while exploring the urgent challenges facing our parks, oceans, and environment.
Explore the Cove Coastal Ecology Hike
This guided interpretive hike explores Crystal Cove State Park’s sandy shoreline and coastal bluffs, offering an up-close look at the plants, animals, and ecosystems that define our marine and coastal environment. The program highlights key conservation challenges such as sea-level rise, habitat loss, and the importance of Marine Protected Areas—focusing on the Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area. Blending ecology with conservation storytelling, this hike fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Park’s coastal landscapes.
Explore the Cove Backcountry Hike
Set in the heart of Crystal Cove’s rugged backcountry, this immersive hike ventures into Moro Canyon to explore some of Southern California’s most unique and threatened ecosystems. Participants will learn about coastal sage scrub, riparian corridors, and the rare plant and animal species that make this region a biodiversity hotspot.
Historic District Walking Tours
This 60-minute tour takes participants through the storied past of Crystal Cove’s Historic District. Led by Conservancy program staff, the walk explores themes of coastal development, preservation, and the community-led effort that saved the cottages from becoming a luxury resort. Attendees will visit restored interiors when available and gain insight into the ongoing work to protect this unique piece of California’s coastal heritage.
Grunion Runs
Experience one of Southern California’s most fascinating natural phenomena during a guided exploration of the grunion run, when small silver fish come ashore under the cover of night to spawn on sandy beaches. Participants will learn about grunion behavior, coastal ecology, and the unique conditions that bring these fish onto shore.
Movies on the Beach
These are magical summer evenings where the shoreline becomes an open-air theater under the stars. The experience starts off with family friendly educational tabling activities designed to spark curiosity and connection with the natural world. Then, continues with environmental family films as the sun goes down. Movies on the Beach offers an unforgettable evening of community, conservation, and summertime fun.
Christmas Programming and Annual Tree Lighting
During the winter holidays, The Crystal Cove Historic District will be decked out from the trails to the sea with holiday decor and lights, plus the iconic beach tree. Visitors can shop for gifts from local artisans during the Holiday Bazaar, meet Santa during a beachside photo op, and munch on cookies and cocoa courtesy of The Beachcomber.