Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
290
midweek classes in summer. The center also conducts sev eral easygoing guided outings,
including a $55 Back to Nature trip that highlights the marine life ar ound Dana Point.
Crystal Cove State Park,
which covers 3 miles of coastline betw een Corona del Mar
and Laguna Beach and extends into the hills around El Moro Canyon, is a good alterna-
tive to the mor e popular beaches for seekers of solitude. ( There are, however, lifeguards
and restrooms.) The beach is a winding, sandy strip , backed with grassy terraces; high
tide sometimes sections it into co ves. The entire area offshore is an under water nature
preserve. There are four entrances, including P elican Point and E l Moro Canyon. For
information, call
&
949/494-3539
or log onto www.crystalcovestatepark.com.
Salt Creek Beach Park
lies below the palatial Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel; guests who
tire of the pristine swimming pool can venture down the staircase on Ritz-Carlton Drive
to wiggle their toes in the sand. The setting is spectacular, with wide white-sand beaches
looking out toward Catalina Island (which explains why the Ritz-Carlton was built here).
The park has lifeguards, restrooms, a snack bar, and convenient parking near the hotel.
Doheny State Beach
in Dana Point, just south of D ana Point Marina (enter off Del
Abispo St.), has long been kno wn as a pr emier surfing spot and camping site. D oheny
has the friendly vibe of beach parties in days gone by: Tree-shaded lawns give way to wide
beaches, and picnicking and beach camping are encouraged. There are 121 sites that can
be used for either tents or R Vs, plus a state-r un visitor center featuring sev eral small
aquariums of sea and tide-pool life. F or more information and camping av ailability, call
&
949/496-6172.
BICYCLING
Biking is the most popular beach activity up and do wn the coast. A
slower-paced alternative to driving, it allo ws you to enjoy the clean, fresh air and notice
smaller details of these laid-back beach to wns and harbors. The Newport Beach visitor
center (see “Visitor Information,” above) offers a free
Bike Ways
map of trails throughout
the city and harbor. Bikes and equipment can be rented at
Balboa Bike & Beach Stuff,
601 Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach (
&
949/723-1516
), and at
Laguna Beach Cyclery,
240 Thalia St. (
&
949/494-1522;
www.lagunacyclery.net).
GOLF
Many golf-course architects have used the geography of the Orange Coast to its
full adv antage, molding challenging and scenic courses fr om the r olling bluffs. M ost
courses are priv ate, but a fe w outstanding ones ar e open to the public. The
Links at
Monarch Beach,
50 Monarch Beach Resort N., Dana Point (
&
949/240-8247;
www.
monarchbeachgolf.com), is par ticularly impr essive. This hilly , challenging course,
designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., offers great ocean views. Afternoon winds can sneak
up, so accuracy is essential. Weekend greens fees ar e $195 ($175 w eekdays). The rates
after 1pm drop to $135 weekends and $110 weekdays.
11
SEEING THE SIGHTS
Beyond the sights listed belo w, one of the most popular O range Coast attractions is
Balboa Island
(www.balboaisland.com). The charm of this pr etty little neighborhood
isn't diminished b y kno wing that the island was man-made—and it cer tainly hasn 't
affected the price of real estate (it's hard to believe that the original property lots sold for
$250). Tiny clapboard cottages in the island's center and modern houses with two-stor y
windows and priv ate docks along the perimeter make a color ful and r omantic picture.
You can drive onto the island on Jamboree Road to the north or take the three-car ferry
from Balboa Peninsula (www.balboaislandferry.com). It's generally more fun to park and
take the 30-minute ferry ride as a pedestrian, since the island is crowded and lacks park-
ing, and the tiny alleys they call str eets are more suitable for str olling.
Marine Avenue,
