Give Me El Moro

Hike the backcountry to coastal views at Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County

09.15.2021
Woman hiking the backcountry trails overlooking the Pacific at Crystal Cove State Park

Most people come to Crystal Cove State Park for the beach, but its 2,400 acres of backcountry has a distinctly Californian beauty that rivals the coast. Spoiler alert: The backcountry trails all lead to the coast—ensuring you get your sea-nery. The hike that offers the most bang for your buck?

Hiker looking at map post at Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County

Two hikers passing through a tunnel leading to Crystal Cove State Beach in Orange County Southern California

Woman walking on a backcountry hiking trail overlooking the Pacific at Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County

Do a 2.85-mile moderate loop that climbs 633 feet in elevation from the ranger station, up along the rocky cliffs, and then back down through El Moro Canyon to the beach. This loop has the shortest mileage for getting the best combo of panoramic coastal views and the El Moro Canyon backcountry. Start your hike on the No Dogs Trail (sorry, furry pals) at the far east end of the parking lot. All 633 feet of elevation gain are packed into this 0.6-mile stretch, so you’ll definitely feel it, but the views are some of the best in the entire backcountry, so take your time and enjoy it (keep your eyes open for rabbits and rattlesnakes in the shrubs!). From there, the trail forks to the right onto the aptly named Poles Trail, which follows the path of the telephone lines crossing through the park.

This 0.4-mile stretch is steep and entirely downhill. Poles Trail ends at the intersection with the 1-mile Moro Canyon Trail, and then you’ll make a right onto that trail to head back toward the coast. All hikes in the park eventually lead to the day-use parking area, which is 0.4-mile from the ranger station. So here you can detour to the beach on a trail paralleling the lot and leading to a tunnel for beach access. Enjoy the sand and sea glory! Then retrace your steps back to the junction at the east end of the parking lot and pick up the trail where you left off for the final 0.4-mile uphill stretch back to the ranger station.

TIP: From the ranger station there are multiple ways to build your ideal hike. There’s even a color-coded map next to the entrance that rates the loop combos from easy to strenuous. Options range from an easy 3-miler that is mostly flat, to a strenuous trail 9 miles in the making, with nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. No matter which trail combo you choose, all end up at the day-use parking area 0.4-mile from the ranger station.

Crystal Cove State Park is located at 8471 N. Coast Hwy. in Laguna Beach, at the intersection of School-State Park and PCH. Park is open from 6 a.m. to sunset. Fee or State Parks Pass required to park within the park boundaries; pay at kiosk at the entrance to the ranger station or inside the ranger station. No dogs allowed on the backcountry trails or on the beach.

Story and photos by Natalie Bates, @wanderwithnatalie.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View

  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View

  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View