Once a sandy getaway for young families, artists and squatters, Crystal Cove has fought off development for decades to remain a 3.2-mile-long oceanfront state park, set right on the shoreline.

The foundation's nod to Crystal Cove came as part of their "Best of California State Parks" list, which highlights ideal spots across the state for hiking, camping, bird-watching and more.

Crystal Cove State Park is incredibly accessible and easy to explore. Located between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach along the Pacific Coast Highway, this coastal park stretches from sandy shores ...

Kate Wheeler, CEO of the Crystal Cove Conservancy, talks about the years-long project of restoring the beach-front cottages at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

The storied structures have become sweet symbols of Crystal Cove State Park. By Alysia Gray Painter • Published November 20, 2023 • Updated on November 20, 2023 at 12:30 pm ...

A interior of the Little Grass Shack #7 cottage at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. It is one of the new Crystal Cove cottages located on the beach that ...

The 3.2 miles of open beach and 2,400 acres of backcountry make up Crystal Cove State Park, and it’s one of the last remaining examples of a natural shoreline in Orange County.

The last one one was found in Crystal Cove State Park in 2021. Two more were found in San Diego that same year. The Pacific Football fish is one of 200 species of angler fish.