First Day Hikes at Crystal Cove State Park
- Backcountry Hike -
Celebrate the beginning of 2026 with a First Day Hike at Crystal Cove State Park! Start your year outdoors and experience the beauty and diversity of the park while exploring with knowledgeable State Parks and Crystal Cove Conservancy guides. Choose from two guided experiences: an invigorating backcountry ridge hike that winds through canyon trails and offers sweeping coastal views, or a gentler coastal ecology hike along the beach and bluffs that highlights the dynamic connections between land and sea.
Both hikes offer a refreshing way to greet the New Year, enjoy the natural rhythms of our coastal environment, and learn more about the plants, animals, and ecosystems that make Crystal Cove such a special place. Begin 2026 with fresh air, beautiful scenery, and meaningful time in nature as we celebrate First Day Hikes at Crystal Cove State Park.
Register and learn more about each hike below:
Backcountry Hike (Intermediate to Hard)
Description: Start 2026 feeling healthy and fresh on a morning guided hike through the canyon and along the ridge at Crystal Cove State Park. Celebrate the New Year on a moderate to difficult 5-mile, 2+ hour “First Day Hike” in the backcountry wilderness. Watch for birds, smell the flowers, and scan the ocean for migrating gray whales.
When: 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Where to Meet: Berns Amphitheater
What to Bring: Sunscreen, plenty of water, snacks, hat, and comfortable footwear suitable for walking on hard-packed hiking trails. Dress in layers, the canyon can be cold in the morning.
Parking: Please park in the Moro Canyon Parking Lots (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park follow the signs to the Campground/Moro day use). There will be a $15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass. Directions to the Moro Day Use Parking Lot can be found at this link.
Coastal Hike (Easy)
Description: Welcome the New Year with ocean views and fresh air on a guided Coastal Hike along the beach and bluffs at Crystal Cove State Park. Celebrate the start of 2026 on an easy 2-mile walk while watching for shorebirds, exploring tidepool life, and learning how geology, ecology, and climate shape this dynamic coastline.
When: 10:30AM – 12:00PM
Where to Meet: Education Commons in the Historic District. Directions to the Education Commons can be found at this link.
What to Bring: Sunscreen, water, hat, and comfortable footwear suitable for walking on sand and paved trail.
Parking: Please park in the Los Trancos Parking Lot. There will be a $15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass. Directions to the Los Trancos Parking Lot can be found at this link.