The word is out. Southern California has a veritable plethora of hiking trails. And a plethora and a half of hikers exploring them. 99.9% of hikers are firmly in the day-hike only camp, and usually it’s just a matter of not knowing how to start and where to go to gain some backpacking experience. With this in […]
Crystal Cove Red Route
The Red Route is one of my favorite hiking trails in Crystal Cove State Park. At 5.5 miles and over 800′ of vertical gain, this loop makes for a great workout. The length is about right to make it worth the trip, but won’t take all day. And the scenery is fantastic. The hike down […]
Crystal Cove Green Route
The Green Route in Crystal Cove State Park is a moderate 3 mile loop trail that begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center. It travels across a variety of terrain and gives you a good feel for the interior of Crystal Cove State Park. The Green Route begins climbing up No Dogs to […]
Crystal Cove Blue Route
Crystal Cove State Park is nestled in the coastal hills between Newport and Laguna Beach. The Blue Route is a hiking trail that traces the boundaries of the inland section of the park, climbing up and down ridge and valley through coastal scrub. I love this park, not only because it’s so well located for […]
Inside Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park is one of my favorite areas to hike in Orange County. Nestled in the coastal hills between Newport and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove feels like a world away from the OC. There are beautiful bluff-lined beaches, challenging hikes and panoramic coastal views. You can even go backpacking! Crystal Cove State Park […]