Crystal Cove State Park

More than three miles of undeveloped coastline and 2,400 acres of backcountry between Newport Beach and Laguna, with tide pools, offshore reefs popular for diving, and miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails. The Historic District preserves a colony of 1930s–40s beach cottages, some now a quaint resort and a beachfront café.

Practical: Day-use parking lots are at Pelican Point, Los Trancos (with a tunnel to the cottages), and the inland backcountry. The cottages have appeared in films including Beaches. Time tide-pool visits to a low tide.