Orange County State Park

Orange County State Park Overview

The state park system is responsible for almost a third of California's scenic coastline. State parks include underwater preserves, parks, redwood forests, plant and wildlife reserves, state beaches, recreation areas, wilderness areas, reservoirs, historic parks & homes, Spanish buildings, lighthouses, ghost towns, waterslides, conference centers, and off-highway vehicle parks. Below you'll find a list of the more popular Orange County state parks and ones we personally recommmend from the firepits at Huntington Beach to the scenic bluffs of San Clemente. State Park camping is a popular activity with most State Park campgrounds offering extra conveniences like flush toilets, running water and firewood.

California State Park Closures are expected to begin in 2012 because of California's budget crisis. Check here for an update on State Park closures.

Orange County State Park

Huntington State Beach is located off PCH (Highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway) in Huntington Beach. This beach features huge sandy beaches, a pier, cement bike path and fire pits. Nighttime bonfire parties are popular and the beach closes at 10pm in the summer. Public restrooms, concession stands and bike rentals can be found along the bike path. Activities include surfing, biking, sunbathing, skating, fishing and beach parties. Beach camping is available for RVs only.
NOTE: Check out Corky Carrol's Surf School for some surfing lessons.

Huntington Beach State Beach
Huntington Beach, California 92645
(714) 536-1454
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Bolsa Chica State Beach is located off PCH (Highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway) in Huntington Beach. It features wide sandy beaches popular with sunbathers. The beach extends three miles from Seal Beach to the Huntington Beach Pier. Bolsa Chica is connected to Huntington State Beach to the south by a cement bike path. Wildlife and bird watching are popular across the street from the beach at the 1,000-acre Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Activities include surfing, swimming, sunbathing, skating, biking and bird watching. Beach camping is available for RVs only.

Bolsa Chica State Beach
Huntington Beach, California 92648
(714) 846-3460
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Corona Del Mar State Beach is located off PCH (Highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway) at the southern end of Newport Beach. The Corona Del Mar community consists of the highest priced homes in the county that range from quaint beach cottages to modern mansions. The beach is a wide sandy beach that is short in length. A more secluded cove is situated at the north end of the beach and is accessible by climbing over a rocky ledge. The reward is a small sandy beach within the protected waters of the harbor with several small sea caves. Amenities include restrooms, concession stands, volleyball courts and fire pits. Activities include swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling.

Corona Del Mar State Beach
Iris Avenue and Ocean Boulevard
Newport Beach, California 92648
(949) 644-3151
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Crystal Cove & El Moro State Park is located off PCH (Highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway) between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach. Crystal Cover offers three and a half miles of beaches and 2000 acres of undeveloped woodland. The beach features large sand beaches, a historic beach community, a bike trail on the bluffs and tidepools. A great snowcone & smoothie shop can be found along the beach bike path where it meets PCH. Activities include swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling, surfing, biking and walking.
On the eastern side of PCH is the Moro Canyon portion of Crystal Cove, which features thousands of acres of hiking and mountain biking. Hike or bike in primitive camping is also available. The peaks offer beautiful ocean views.
WARNING: Rocks are just below the surface of the water in several portions of Crystal Cove. See our Tips page for safety suggestions when swimming in the ocean.

Crystal Cove State Beach
Laguna Beach, California 92651
(949) 494-3539
(949) 492-0802
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Doheny State Beach is located in the Dana Point Harbor off Interstate 5 and PCH (Highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway). This was California's first State Beach. State Park campground is at the southern portion and a day use area is at the northern portion. It literally offers camping on the beach. The day use area features a five-acre lawn with picnic facilities and volleyball courts, public restrooms and concession stand. Surfing is popular, but is restricted to the north end of the beach. Dana Point Harbor offers fishing & whale watching charters, boat & kayak rentals, restaurants, shops and an aquarium. This park is a good option for camping at the beach.
NOTE: Doheny has a rock-bottom ocean and can be difficult to venture out into without foot protection.

WARNING: This region of Pacific Ocean is notorious for having high bacteria levels. Be sure to check with Heal the Bay for recent test results.

Doheny State Beach
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, California 92629
(949) 496-6172
Map  |   Hotel  |   Camping  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

San Clemente State Beach is located off Interstate 5 in San Clemente. San Clemente State Beach features a one mile narrow sand beach and bluffs overlooking the ocean. Train trestles used by Amtrak separate the bluffs from the beach. Covered picnic areas are on the bluffs. Trails lead down to the beach, which is popular for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. beach camping, picnicking and hiking are popular activities on the bluffs. This park is a good option for camping by the beach.

San Clemente State Beach
San Clemente, California 92672
(949)492-3156
Map  |   Hotel  |   Camping  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

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