Uploaded April 2009 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
California travel expert Veronica Hill shares her Crystal Cove State Park Travel Guide in this episode of "California Travel Tips."
This 1930s beach community is one of the most unique places to stay in Southern California. Located in Newport Coast along 3 1/2 miles of gorgeous ocean strand, Crystal Cove State Park is home to a collection of 46 vintage cottages built between the 1920s and 1930s.
Today, 21 Crystal Cove cottages have been restored for public use. The Crystal Cove Alliance and California State Parks are working hard to preserve the rest — including cottage No. 13, which was used in Bette Midler's movie "Beaches."
Since 1918, more than 16 movies were filmed at this beautiful California resort, including two versions of "Treasure Island."
Visiting Crystal Cove State Park is like stepping back in time, and the Alliance has worked hard to maintain its vintage charm. In fact, this historic district and 2,400 acres of back country looks much like it did during the 1930s to 1950s.
Crystal Cove park was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The houses are Southern California's last intact examples of vernacular beach architecture.
Begin your visit at the Los Trancos parking lot off PCH and take the shuttle down to Crystal Cove Beach Cottages and promenade.
Here, you'll find the Beachcomber Cafe, run by Ruby's Diner, which serves up delicious Mediterranean pizza, awesome ahi tacos and one of the best mai tais I've enjoyed outside of Hawaii. Each day at sunset, the restaurant still raises the martini flag to announce cocktail hour, in keeping with a decades-old tradition.
During the summer, arrive early and plan a full day at Crystal Cove State Beach, where you can explore the tide pools, do some plein air painting, or fly a kite.
If you're feeling energetic, you can climb three flights of stairs to the historic Crystal Cove Shake Shack, which has been serving up delicious milk shakes to adoring fans since the 1960s.
While you're here, stop by the visitors center where you can learn more about Crystal Cove Historic District. Public tours of the cottages are offered at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month.
Two of the most popular Crystal Cove rentals are the Cottage No. 1 Beach Pad (for ADA disabled guests) and Cottage No. 33, the Romantic Retreat.
For budget travel to the Crystal Cove beach cottages, consider the dorm rooms with private locking bedrooms. Each shares common areas like the kitchen, living room and bathroom. Starting at $33 a night, they're one of the best oceanfront bargains in Southern California.
Be sure to plan ahead, because these adorable beach bungalows are booked 7 months in advance.
• To support restoration and education programs at Crystal Cove, become a member at CrystalCoveAlliance.org
• Historic postcard courtesy of Laura Davick collection
• Still photo of Romantic Retreat by J. Christopher Launi , courtesy of Crystal Cove Alliance
• Cottage Rentals CrystalCoveBeachCottages.org and ReserveAmerica.com
Crystal Cove Historic District Tours
Second Saturday of Month 10 a.m.
CrystalCoveBeachCottages.org
(949) 376-6200
Crystal Cove State Park
45 Crystal Cove
Newport Coast, CA 92657
(949) 376-6200
Ruby's Shake Shack
7408 Coast Highway
Newport Coast, CA 92657
(949) 464-0100
Daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Beachcomber Cafe
No. 15 Crystal Cove,
Newport Coast, CA 92657
(949) 376-6900
Daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
CrystalCoveBeachCottages.org
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California travel expert Veronica Hill shares her Crystal Cove State Park Travel Guide in this episode of "California Travel Tips."
This 1930s beach community is one of the most unique places to stay in Southern California. Located in Newport Coast along 3 1/2 miles of gorgeous ocean strand, Crystal Cove State Park is home to a collection of 46 vintage cottages built between the 1920s and 1930s.
Today, 21 Crystal Cove cottages have been restored for public use. The Crystal Cove Alliance and California State Parks are working hard to preserve the rest — including cottage No. 13, which was used in Bette Midler's movie "Beaches."
Since 1918, more than 16 movies were filmed at this beautiful California resort, including two versions of "Treasure Island."
Visiting Crystal Cove State Park is like stepping back in time, and the Alliance has worked hard to maintain its vintage charm. In fact, this historic district and 2,400 acres of back country looks much like it did during the 1930s to 1950s.
Crystal Cove park was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The houses are Southern California's last intact examples of vernacular beach architecture.
Begin your visit at the Los Trancos parking lot off PCH and take the shuttle down to Crystal Cove Beach Cottages and promenade.
Here, you'll find the Beachcomber Cafe, run by Ruby's Diner, which serves up delicious Mediterranean pizza, awesome ahi tacos and one of the best mai tais I've enjoyed outside of Hawaii. Each day at sunset, the restaurant still raises the martini flag to announce cocktail hour, in keeping with a decades-old tradition.
During the summer, arrive early and plan a full day at Crystal Cove State Beach, where you can explore the tide pools, do some plein air painting, or fly a kite.
If you're feeling energetic, you can climb three flights of stairs to the historic Crystal Cove Shake Shack, which has been serving up delicious milk shakes to adoring fans since the 1960s.
While you're here, stop by the visitors center where you can learn more about Crystal Cove Historic District. Public tours of the cottages are offered at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month.
Two of the most popular Crystal Cove rentals are the Cottage No. 1 Beach Pad (for ADA disabled guests) and Cottage No. 33, the Romantic Retreat.
For budget travel to the Crystal Cove beach cottages, consider the dorm rooms with private locking bedrooms. Each shares common areas like the kitchen, living room and bathroom. Starting at $33 a night, they're one of the best oceanfront bargains in Southern California.
Be sure to plan ahead, because these adorable beach bungalows are booked 7 months in advance.
• To support restoration and education programs at Crystal Cove, become a member at CrystalCoveAlliance.org
• Historic postcard courtesy of Laura Davick collection
• Still photo of Romantic Retreat by J. Christopher Launi , courtesy of Crystal Cove Alliance
• Cottage Rentals CrystalCoveBeachCottages.org and ReserveAmerica.com
Crystal Cove Historic District Tours
Second Saturday of Month 10 a.m.
CrystalCoveBeachCottages.org
(949) 376-6200
Crystal Cove State Park
45 Crystal Cove
Newport Coast, CA 92657
(949) 376-6200
Ruby's Shake Shack
7408 Coast Highway
Newport Coast, CA 92657
(949) 464-0100
Daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Beachcomber Cafe
No. 15 Crystal Cove,
Newport Coast, CA 92657
(949) 376-6900
Daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
CrystalCoveBeachCottages.org
SUBSCRIBE! tinyurl.com/p2fveuj
LIKE ME ON FACEBOOK tinyurl.com/nqx9osq
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER twitter.com/Californiatips
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM instagram.com/californiatraveltips
