Los Trancos Beach(Crystal Cove State Park, Los Trancos Canyon)

Also known as Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District, Los Trancos Beach is named after the small creek that flows through the sand into the ocean. Its highlight is the colony of dorm-style cottages that have been preserved since their original construction in the 1920s. Although getting to this beach requires a 15-minute hike from the paid parking area, visitors are instantly rewarded with this unique combination of natural and architectural beauty.

The beach is well-maintained by the state park rangers and the waters are often crowded with swimmers, surfers, and snorkelers. There are numerous tide pools on the coastline where visitors can find creatures such as the Striped Shore Crab and Pacific Oyster. Lifeguards are stationed at the beach during the day and the public bathrooms and showers are easily accessible. If you don’t want to get in the water, the beach also has an extensive 18-mile trail and bike path that offer hikers spanning views of the California woodlands and the Pacific Ocean.

The beach is well-maintained by the state park rangers and the waters are often crowded with swimmers, surfers, and snorkelers. There are numerous tide pools on the coastline where visitors can find creatures such as the Striped Shore Crab and Pacific Oyster. Lifeguards are stationed at the beach during the day and the public bathrooms and showers are easily accessible. If you don’t want to get in the water, the beach also has an extensive 18-mile trail and bike path that offer hikers spanning views of the California woodlands and the Pacific Ocean.

If you get hungry, Beachcomber’s Cafe is a converted cottage house on the beach that serves Californian favorites such as the Kobe Burger and Mahi Mahi tacos. We also like Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen, a white-tablecloth restaurant featuring a North Italian menu and a wide variety of wines that is just a 5-minute drive from the beach. Another local favorite is the Bear Flag Fish Company, known for its signature poke bowls with fresh Ahi Tuna, salmon, or octopus.

If you need a place to stay, Marriot’s Newport Coast Villas is a 4-star hotel that offers Tuscan-style suites and amenities such as pools, tennis courts, and mini-golf. Another great option that is only a 10-minute drive from the beach is Pacific Edge Hotel, a family-friendly upscale hotel that sports complimentary beach gear rentals and balconies with panoramic ocean views. The Art Hotel is a 7-minute drive from Los Trancos and features an outdoor pool and a museum gallery and is less than a block from the main Laguna Beach.