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The Moro campground, which is located on a bluff top with unparalleled ocean views, features 27 hookup sites, 30 non-hookup tent sites, both of which include 3 ADA-accessible sites each. We also feature primitive hike-in camping in our backcountry, which has 32 sites spread out across 3 areas. Although it does require a strenuous hike, it provides a peaceful refuge from the urban surroundings.
We are located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.
Crystal cove always delights me. Today was no exception. It is the weekend of king tide and the state park is hosting several tours of the creature inhabited pools of water that are only viably viewable during this weekend that features the lowest tides of the year. We parked at Los Troncos parking lot $5 per hour, met a park ranger and walked to the ocean to view the pools of water. This is a decent hike (less than a mile) with a good descent (maybe 250') on paved and packed sand trail (still intact although significantly eroded by this month's rain) to the beach. From there we walked a hundred yards or so to the waters edge across the firmly packed sand from the hours old (now receded) high tide (the ocean had come up to the steps of the buildings.) We ranged all over the rocky terrain peering into an undersea world we humans don't often see. It was sunny but chilly and while we were wearing beach shoes (neoprene on top with rubber soles for good traction on the bottom) and 3/4 length pants so we could get our feet wet we found ourselves avoiding the cold ocean water when possible.
Scrambling (slowly) over the rocks and sand at the ocean's edge, the park rangers pointed out an octopus, sea stars, snails, slugs, mermaid hair, sand worm colonies and more. It was a lovely day at the ocean.
The beach at this part of Crystal Cove is quite picturesque with the beach cottages, the visitor center, public bathrooms, and two restaurants. There are a decent amount of amenities here and such incredible natural beauty that I highly recommend a visit any time but a king tide is a special treat.
Crystal Cove and the Moro campground is mystical to me because of the peace I found here as a teenager and carried throughout my life. Now-retired, I jog on this beautiful beach at sunrise, it is sanctuary for my eternal soul. Thank you Conservancy for preserving this beautiful little piece of Paradise.
Nice location overlooking the ocean. The PCH runs between the campground and the beach. There is a steep, paved path that takes you down to a tunnel that goes under the PCH to access the beach. When I was there the tunnel was said to be out of commission due to flooding but it was minimal and I was able to get to the beach with dry feet. The beach is large and flat. The campsites tend to be long but narrow with a relatively small marked area for vehicles. You have to back in if you have an RV so you may not get a good view from inside even though all sites appear to have a decent view of the ocean. There is a nice dirt path around the perimeter of the campground and numerous benches at locations with the best ocean view. The restrooms were adequate and showers require paid tokens. The sites do not appear to be very level. Cell signals were fine and even though broadcast TV appears to be far away I was able to get many channels with my removable TV antenna aimed to the NNW. The location is relatively dark at night. There is traffic noise but it's not bad.
Love love love this place. Clean maintained and a perfect location to rest on the coast. I stayed for two days in different campsites. The bathrooms were spotless and the pay shower rooms were private and clean as well. There is a lost and found system here with the staff and the hospitality was felt. Dogs welcome as long as on a leash and they do have a beautiful hike a mile away that goes for a few miles where you can walk the dogs. Amazing rest filled week for sure. Thank you for having me. The price per night was palatable.
