Hike Crystal Cove Beach to a Sunday Brunch Picnic

ABOUT THE HIKE: We will hike down the sand on beautiful Crystal Cove State Beach to a Sunday potluck brunch at an ocean front picnic area in front of the Beachcomber Restaurant. The meetup location will be in the parking area at the northernmost State Park restrooms. We will walk down the a trail to the beach and continue south on the sand for about one hour or approximately three miles. We then turn around and return to picnic area for the picnic. Plan on a hour hike to the picnic area, another hour for the potluck brunch, and another hour walking the same route returning to the parking area around noon. Please plan to stay with the group and event hosts, walking at a moderate pace.

Total distance: approximately five to six miles
Total hiking and picnic time: approximately three hours
Ability level: advanced beginner walking on wet, hard pack sand

ABOUT THE PICNIC: The location for our picnic is ocean front picnic tables next to the Beachcomber Restaurant in the area of the Crystal Cove Cottages. We are hiking with our picnic items from the trailhead to the picnic location. This is a potluck. Please bring food to share. BYOB (beverage). Your event hosts will bring paper plates and plastic ware.

DIRECTIONS: Crystal Cove State Park is located just south of Corona del Mar in Newport Beach, and just north of Laguna Beach, in the Newport Beach community known as Newport Coast. The Park entrance closest to our starting point is on the beach side of Pacific Coast Highway across from Newport Coast Drive. After paying the State Park day use entrance fee of $20, turn right (north) and park in the northernmost parking lot. Walk from the lot to the northernmost Crystal Cove State Park restroom where we will gather for introductions before beginning the hike.

NOTE: There is alternative FREE parking at 330 Cameo Shores. This is a residential neighborhood so please keep noise down to not disturb the local residents. Park here & walk 1/4 mile down PCH to the state park entrance just past Pelican Point, and meet at northernmost restroom by parking lot #1 ..... Corner of Cameo Shores & Hampden Rd. This Cameo Shores parking area is NOT the meetup location. Please note the meetup location within Crystal Cove State Park as indicated above.

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any and all group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.