Costa Mesa - all beaches

This beach park is a favorite among locals, including myself, because of its natural landscape. The pedestrian paths outnumber the vehicle roads, which creates a nice separation from city life. The sand beach walk is located below street level, away from the busy Pacific Coast Highway. The trails from the parking lots wind through areas of local sage, scrub brush, and chaparral. Along the way, you can also find restroom structures. By using Google Maps Satellite View, you can easily locate the beach access and find highlights along the trail. Crystal Cove State Park is well-known for its clean sand beach and ocean. In the summertime, it's great for swimming and occasionally surfing, although body boarding is more common. Lifeguards are always present and keep a close watch. During the off season, the watch stations are moved and lined up on dry land. The waterfront is a year-round spectacle with its tide pools, which are definitely worth the hike. The beach walk is lined with ocean-carved rock formations. You can set up beach chairs, a tarp, or a towel to hold a spot and enjoy watching the waves, boats offshore, or kids building sand castles. The entrance fee for vehicles is $15, but prices may change in the summertime. The day use side is open from 6:00 am to sunset.

We had a wonderful time strolling along the expansive beach, which didn't give off a touristy or overcrowded vibe. Additionally, we managed to discover a few seashells during our walk.

This is an ideal spot to soak up some positive energy from the ocean's ions. It would be even better if there were a restaurant located at the end of the pier.

The walk along the cliffs is truly lovely. There is a steep ramp that leads down to the beach. During low tide, you can explore and have fun on the rocks. The trail at the top is nicely paved and fairly level, making it accessible to everyone. I highly suggest visiting in the early evening to witness the beautiful sunset. Just be aware that it can get quite crowded on pleasant days.

This beach is truly remarkable! The sand is of exceptional quality, and the expanse of the beach is quite impressive, providing ample room for a variety of recreational pursuits. However, it is important to note that there are no restroom or shower facilities available on site.

This particular section of Sunset Beach is situated in the Sunset Beach Community of 90742, which was once a part of unincorporated Orange County but has since been incorporated into Huntington Beach for over a decade now. The beach itself is a constant source of beauty, boasting pristine sand and stunning vistas of the ocean, Palos Verdes Peninsula, LA, and Long Beach Harbors, as well as the landmark buildings of Long Beach. While weekdays offer a tranquil escape, weekends can be a bit more crowded, as expected. As this is a residential beach area, it's important to be mindful of the locals' concerns. Thankfully, the community is generous enough to offer free parking along the North and South Pacific Av median, located just a block from the beach. It's worth noting that visitors are welcome to walk their dogs here, which is especially helpful for those who want to catch a glimpse of the sunset but can't bring their furry friends onto the beach. Finally, for those who need to freshen up, public restrooms can be found at the Pacific Av median, as well as at 14th and 19th Streets. All in all, this beach offers a serene and picturesque retreat for anyone seeking a bit of natural beauty and relaxation.