Editorial: Welcome, Crystal Cove campers

After years of legal battles and political wrangling, Crystal Cove State Park will finally have its crowning touch: a 60-space RV park atop the ocean-view site where a private mobile home park stood for many years.

Just in time for the Fourth of July, this spectacular spot will be open to the public at affordable rates. There should be wonderful views of the Independence Day pyrotechnics along the coast.

The opening of Moro Campground, said to be the last oceanfront park to be built in the state of California, will no doubt mean a burst of fresh economic activity for Laguna Beach and other local cities that will benefit from the added influx of vacationers.

It will be a welcome source of fresh customers who will explore local shops and galleries, the art festivals, and dine-in restaurants.

The state park also boasts the beautiful Crystal Cove beach, which was off limits for decades as private beachfront for several dozen lucky leaseholders who dwelled in mobile homes ensconced on the sand.

This beach, as well as the entire site, has now been opened up, and a number of other amenities added. This, despite the state’s own budget crunch that threatened to scuttle this long-awaited park project. Crystal Cove is indeed lucky, because the state is in the process of shutting down a number of its parks to save money. But Moro Campground will open as scheduled Friday.

The popular Crystal Cove cottages on the bluff opposite the RV campground will now be joined by a new venue for visitors to this very special place just up the Coast Highway from Laguna.

It’s a great place to hike, mountain bike or just sit on the sand. And now it will be a great place to camp.

As summer moves into high gear, we welcome the campers — and the business they will bring to our community.

And Happy Fourth of July!