California State Parks - Orange Coast District

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California State Parks - Orange Coast District

Check us out for all the latest news and information about what's going on in the Orange Coast District!

Follow along the adventures of the Orange Coast District, including Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington State Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, Doheny State Beach, San Clemente State Beach, San Onofre State Beach. The Orange Coast District is one of the most visited districts in the state, with nearly 11 million visitors per year. The Orange Coast District has three cooperating associations who supp

ort California State Parks: the San Onofre Foundation (www.sanofoundation.org), Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (www.dohenystatebeach.org), and Crystal Cove Alliance (www.crystalcovealliance.org).

08/27/2026

Celebrate California Biodiversity Day with us!

Stop by our educational table along the board walk at Doheny State Beach to celebrate California’s vast biodiversity.

Check out the ocean artifacts, learn about marine mammals, as well as local and migratory birds, and learn how to use the iNaturalist app to help collect biodiversity data while exploring the beach.

No RSVP Required.

08/07/2026

🚨 Huntington State Beach Night Rescue 🌊🏊🛟

On the night of Saturday, August 1st, at approximately 2042 hours, Huntington State Beach staff received a report of a missing swimmer near Tower 8. Conditions were 3 to 4 foot surf, it was dark, and the ocean mist obstructed the view of the sea from shore.

State Parks lifeguards, peace officers and rangers responded to the scene, contacted the reporting party, and immediately began coordinating a response effort based on the information available.

Huntington Beach Police Department helicopter, HB1, located the missing adult male swimmer approximately 200 yards off shore of tower 7 allowing California State Parks lifeguards to initiate an aquatic rescue responses. Several lifeguards and peace officer lifeguards entered the water and successfully brought the swimmer safely to shore.

The swimmer was evaluated by Huntington Beach Fire Department on scene and was later transported to a local hospital.

Thanks to the lifesaving response effort coordinated by California State Parks, the Huntington Beach Police Department, and the Huntington Beach Fire Department, the swimmer was safely located, rescued, and given the appropriate care.

As a reminder, always swim near an open lifeguard tower when possible and know your limits before entering the ocean. Ocean rescues are not uncommon, and it is through the hard work and dedication of public safety personnel that outcomes like this are possible. Thank you to our lifeguards, peace officers, and allied agencies for allowing our visitors to feel safe while visiting the beach.

Footage shown is from Huntington Beach Police Department helicopter HB1 and California State Parks Public Safety Drone.

08/01/2026

To the water men and women who risk their lives every day to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people in our community, we salute you! 🛟🫡

On this International Lifeguard Appreciation Day, we acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice it takes to embody the title of Lifeguard. It is not only a summer job - it is a way of life, and not one to be taken lightly.

This summer has produced some especially challenging swells, but our staff has braved these waves and performed their duties without hesitation. Whether it is through taking preventative actions, providing first aid assistance, performing aquatic rescues, or simply taking the time to inform visitors of ocean conditions, the heroic actions of a lifeguard create a positive ripple effect throughout their community. They provide an environment of safety that gives visitors a sense of calm and security when recreating outdoors.

The next time you visit the beach, check in with a lifeguard to learn about the day’s ocean conditions. While you’re at it, we invite you to thank them for all of the hard work that they do! Our beaches would not be the same without them!

07/27/2026

NEWS: 🛩️ Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing at Huntington State Beach

At approximately 2 p.m. today, Huntington State Beach staff responded to an emergency landing of a Piper Cherokee aircraft on the sand between Brookhurst and Magnolia streets.

The pilot indicated that the aircraft had departed out of John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana and was 5 minutes into it’s flight to Van Nuys Airport when the plane suffered engine failure.

Both the pilot and one passenger were uninjured and there is no apparent damage to the aircraft. There were no injuries reported on the ground.

California State Parks is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board for further investigation into the landing.

07/22/2026

🚨Beach Hazards Statement & Heat Advisory🚨

The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement and a heat advisory for coastal areas in Orange County through the weekend.

“BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
SUNDAY EVENING...
- WHAT: Surf of 5 to 7 feet expected.
- WHERE: San Diego County Coastal Areas and Orange County Coastal Areas.
- WHEN: From late tonight through Sunday evening.
- IMPACTS: Increased rip current risk and dangerous swimming conditions. Minor coastal flooding possible during evening high tides over the weekend with evening high tides 5.5 to 6.5 feet.
- PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions. Never turn your back on the ocean.”

“HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THURSDAY TO 8 PM PDT MONDAY.
- WHAT: High temperatures in the mid 80s to lower 90s for the mesas and other higher coastal terrain and low temperatures in the lower 70s expected.
- WHERE: Orange County Coastal Areas.
- WHEN: From 10 AM Thursday to 8 PM PDT Monday.
- IMPACTS: Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses.
- PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”

07/21/2026

Ready for the career of a lifetime? Tryout to be an Ocean Lifeguard this fall!

San Clemente State Beach Tryout
Friday, August 14th 2026 at 8:00AM
Location: Doheny State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters

Crystal Cove State Park Tryout
Saturday, August 15th 2026 at 9:00AM
Location: Tower 5 (Scotchman’s Cove) at Crystal Cove State Park (enter at Reef Point)

You must pass a COMPETITIVE swimming test consisting of the following:
- 1,000 yard open water swim. Time limit of 20 minutes.
- A continuous 200 yard run, 400 yard swim, 200 yard run. Time limit of 10 minutes.

Qualification appraisal interviews will follow successful completion of the swim test.

Picture I.D. is REQUIRED on the day of the swim test & all minors shall have a parent or guardian PRESENT on the day of the swim test for swim test waiver signature. Must be at least 16 years or older with a valid California Drivers License to apply.

Completed applications are NOT needed at swim tryout.

BRING to swim test: Swimsuit, towel, warm clothes, clothes for interview, food, water.
NOTE: Wetsuits, swim caps & goggles ARE allowed for try out swim, but are NOT allowed during the Seasonal Lifeguard Training program.

www.parks.ca.gov/oceanlifeguardtryouts

07/02/2026

Planning to visit the beach this 4th of July weekend? Make sure you know these useful safety tips and notices!

1. Get to the Beach Early!
- Expect long entry lines. Due to large anticipated 4th of July crowds, parking lots will likely reach full capacity early on that day. Arrive early if you want better odds of entering our parks. If you leave, there is no guarantee of re-entry. Once parking lots reach capacity, they will close until a certain number of spots become available again.

2. Parking Fees May Vary
- Holiday rates will apply at many of our State Beaches for the 4th of July weekend. Some parks have gone cashless, so please be prepared to pay via credit/debit/tap-to-pay!

3. Check in with a Lifeguard!
- Learn about the day’s ocean conditions BEFORE you go into the water by checking in with a lifeguard! Know your limits, and it is always recommended to swim near an open lifeguard tower. If you have any first aid needs, they are here for you!

4. Practice Sun Safety!
- Avoid heat related illnesses by staying hydrated and reapplying your sunscreen often.

5. Be Responsible
- No fireworks, alcohol, or glass containers allowed. Please throw away your trash in trash bins. Do not over-stuff trash bins if possible. Do not collect shells, rocks, or plants in our Marine Protected Areas. Keep a comfortable distance from animals. Our wildlife thanks you!

6. No Makeshift Fire Pits!
- If you plan to have a bonfire, please do so in the California State Parks designated bonfire pits. Unless reserved with a picnic area, all fire rings are first come, first served so plan accordingly!

7. Please Keep Your Pets in Designated Areas Only
- For the safety of your pets and our wildlife, we kindly ask that you do not bring your pets onto the sand/beach, into the backcountry, or anywhere where signage states dogs are not permitted. We thank you for your cooperation!

8. Have Fun!
- We hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting your local state beaches!
crystalcove doheny sanclemente sanonofre bolsachica

06/19/2026

We want to hear from you!

Caltrans District 12 is developing a long‑term plan to protect two iconic stretches of State Route 1 (SR-1), also known as Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), along Bolsa Chica State Beach and Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County. These areas already experience periodic flooding and roadway closures, and future coastal hazards are expected to intensify these challenges.

Caltrans is conducting site-specific studies for segments of PCH at these beaches/parks to improve climate resilience and protect the highway, beach access, and coastal resources. Your feedback will help shape future planning efforts for Bolsa Chica and Crystal Cove!

Check out the links in our bio to participate in these surveys.

06/16/2026

Summer is sooo back ☀️🌊

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 5th annual California State Parks Week! Whether you stretched it out at the San Clemente Historic Cottage 🧘‍♀️, discovered the microscopic world of Bolsa Chica’s waters 🔬, or immersed yourself in Japanese culture at Crystal Cove 🇯🇵, we hope you created fun, lasting memories at your local park!

If you captured any of those memories in the form of a photo, consider entering our OuterSpatial photo contest (details in the link in bio)! Prizes include a camping tent, a sleeping bag, a soft cooler, L.L. Bean clothing and accessories, and much more. Be sure to check it out!

Happy summer! Catch you outside 🏝️😎

Address

3030 Avenida Del Presidente
San Clemente, CA
92672

Telephone

(949) 492-0802

Website

https://linktr.ee/castateparksoc

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