OCLB - El Moro Canyon - Crystal Cove Day Hike

Great Outdoors OC-LB Chapter presents

El Moro Canyon - Crystal Cove Day Hike

September 18, 2022, Starting at 8 AM

Contact: Frederick Brown. E-mail: tobyfred@yahoo.com. Phone: 562-754-1838

Come join our group for a pleasant moderate day hike in scenic El Moro Canyon located near Crystal Cove Park in Newport Beach, CA. We will be gathering at the trailhead adjacent to Lower Parking Lot in the Day Use Area. Day Use parking fee is $15.00 so please carpool / rideshare with others.

The hike will begin promptly at 8:00AM when we will proceed northward through the center area of the canyon. The path rises quickly at the 1.1 mile cut across. We will then hike along the perimeter of the park in a counterclockwise direction, passing various campground sites and making our way back to the lower use area trailhead. The total distance is roughly 9.0 miles with variation in elevation between 35 and 1800 feet.

Bring your ten essentials. Click here for list. Snack breaks will be taken at regular intervals. A scenic break is planned at the lower campground site on the east of the park with a beautiful panoramic view of the canyon and Pacific Ocean.

Driving southbound on the 405 FWY from Long Beach, take 73 HWY South in Costa Mesa. Exit the 73 at MacArthur Blvd. and head west toward the Pacific Ocean. (Note that the TOLL Road applies after the MacArthur Blvd. exit). Turn left at PCH in Newport Beach and head southbound. You will pass through Newport Beach village and Crystal Cove Park. Make a left at the El Moro Elementary school road. Keep right and you will see the Ranger Station entrance. After paying the day use fee, make your way past RV Park down the path to the lower and last parking lot adjacent to the amphitheater. Trailhead is at the edge of the parking lot. 

After the hike, we can enjoy a refreshing dip in the ocean and a picnic on the beach. If you are interested, please bring swimming / beach attire and extra food.

Click here for a map of the parking area.

Click here for the park website.

Click here for a trail map of the park.

If you cannot attend, please cancel your registration, so the next person on the waiting list can have a chance to register.