Crystal Cove Beach Cottages

These are historic cottages (many of them recently renovated) that have a fantastic location, right on the Crystal Cove beach. They are not hotels, but a very convenient "camping" option. The rooms have hot water, showers, and regular flush toilets. The bedrooms have proper beds with fresh linens. The kitchens have a microwave and toaster, but no stoves. The staff that manages it is very helpfull. There are several hiking trails that are accessible from the cottages. If you are not inclined to cook, there are a couple of restaurants right on the property and several others in an upscale mall a few miles down on the highway.

This is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the beach. I’ve stayed in four different cottages over the summers, and each visit has been a great experience. After checking in, you can request assistance with your luggage, and staff will take your things to the cottage on a golf cart. It’s best to pack light, as many of the cottages require walking up several steps. Note that open flames aren’t allowed inside, so we bring portable electric griddles and dishware to cook. If you prefer not to bring food, there’s a Shake Shack and a restaurant nearby. One Fourth of July, we had the beach almost to ourselves while watching fireworks all around. It was incredible.

Good for the price. Booked a private room with a shared bathroom. Room was very small. No closets. Just enough space to walk around one side of the bed. The shared bathroom was gross, small, and outdated. Location is the only benefit to this place.

such a great place to go if you want to hang out with your family and enjoy the beach. The cottages are darling. You have to bring your own plates, silverware, coffee maker, etc. we had to go to CVS and buy a coffee maker, but that was fine. Loved the gift shop and the lovely lady that worked there. Bought a gorgeous tablecloth from France and she told me all about the company. She was a delight.

Between the lovely cottages, amazing restaurant, the beach and the guest house, this is my favorite spot on the Pacific. The memories serve me well to unwind and relax. I am looking forward to coming back.

Put this firmly in the category of "I really don't want to write this review and make this place even more popular and hard to get a site at than it already is", but alas it's not mine and everyone should be able to enjoy this gem, even if it means it's going to be a little harder for me to get in the future. How did I not know this exists? Historically remodeled Ocean front cottages with a great story and better view. Killer shake shop. Island vacation feeling bar. Friendly staff. Saying this is a great location is the understatement of the decade. I think it's one of the few places in so Cal where you're front porch is Sand. Especially in this price range. Vibe wise it's somewhere between Avalon (golf carts, no cars, bars), Redondo Beach (shakes and boardwalk) and a Seaside town in Southern England (historical cottages). It's a can't miss really (unless you demand luxury accommodations). If you visit, take care of it, it's a gem. I should note, parking is a minor challenge but we enjoyed the walk and they have options for those in need.

Great experience. Cottages are a locked in reasonable price, all about timing to get one.

Cannot wait to stay here again! Super fun, even with a bit of rain. The views are incredible, the food and drinks are good, the cottages are cozy, and you can really have an active day on the beach or lazy day reading a book on the patio.

Last night we stayed in cottage #16 which has a great patio for viewing the beach. It was a last minute reservation snagged by being on the waitlist. Everyone on staff from check-in to shuttle/cart drivers was congenial and helpful. Our cottage was clean and everything was working fine. We will return soon!

If you are ever fortunate enough to succeed in successfully booking one of these beachfront cottages, you're in for a real treat! We ended up spending a few days in Cottage 6, or "Hawaiian Bungalow" which was a charming cottage right on the boardwalk steps from the beach. We enjoyed sweeping ocean views and incredible sunsets while watching dolphins and other marine life. The Beachcomber Cafe provided a wonderful option for a delicious breakfast and we snacked over at the Shake Shack. The grounds at night are stunning, all lit up and twinkle under the stars. As far as the cottage, for being nearly 100 years old, it's in such fabulous shape! Bring virtually everything minus linens (yes, no clothes dining sets or utensils are provided!). However, coffee, tea, and other light refreshments are available at the cottage reception area. The ONLY downside would be the ants. Due to the cottages being right along the hillside and being so old, crevices are abundant and easy for ants to enter and exit. Keep ANY food brought in the fridge or double zippered and in a YETI cooler or storage bin, because no matter what, the ants WILL find a way in! Lastly, there will likely be a few in and around the bedroom area, but I'd rather a few ants than bed bugs or mice (NO issue!) 100% recommend for the location, the history, and the PRICE (low $200s a night for oceanfront lodging is virtually unheard of in 2024!)

Crystal cove is one of our favroite staycation spots! We've stayed at cottage # 2. #7. and 11A. Each one has its unique cozy feeling. Making awesome memories here with our kids is the best! Can't wait to book cottage #36. Thanks to the front desk the hole staff and everyone else making our trips here easy exciting and fun! We'll be back soon.

Horrible customer service. I had stayed here a few years ago with my children. I knew it was a long shot but it took a lot for me to come back here today. I went into the office and watched "Vera" be over the top to the customer in front of me and the a male employee came out and helped the man behind me! I only wanted to check for cancelation and I probably looked sad as I was recently crying thinking about my daughter who passed in March during children birth. When Vera finally acknowledged me she definitely changed her friendly demeanor. She made very little eye contact with me and was rude. I never have complained and had to create a yelp account for this but I feel I needed to today. Damm those people for making me feel like a second class citizen when I was grieving. I will never go here and I hope no one with a heart ever will. Shame on you for catering to "certain customers" Vera and Crystal Cove Cottages. You've now ruined a memory and hurt a grieving mother.. Cathy R. 0 zero stars Negative starsW

This place is held together by tape and glue. We have mice running thru the cabin. Ants everywhere. Our shower was broken. There was no WiFi. And on top of all that, there was a Bicycle race on PCH Sunday morning, and the roads were completely blocked off. Absolutely nobody could come in or out by car. I missed my flight because the office forgot to mention that we would be forced to stay with no way to leave. Horrible service and horrible management.

Such a beautiful, magical place! Our family comes here every year to stay in a beach cottage. This is our happy place!

Best deal for a beach front and I mean beach front overnight experience.. the cottages are rustic but have the basics but your on the sand and the beach is deserted at night ..

I have stayed here about 5 times in the past 8 years and although it is very rustic, (about a few notches above camping), it is magical. I really don't mind the dorm cabins with the shared bathroom because the bathroom is clean and I never once saw anyone in there. Everyone was always very friendly at check in. In the morning you walk to check in and pick up a thermos of coffee to bring back to your room. In the winter some cabins are very cold so bring an extra blanket and ask for a room heater. In the summer, some are very hot, so ask for a fan. I haven't been there since the renovations, so I'm not sure if they added AC and heating. You can take very long walks on the beach, tide pools, participate in the occasional crafts they have, visit the guest store, museum and basically chill. The restaurant is always booked solid but they take walking ins. The Christmas tree lighting is pretty special too. I can go on and on but.... Give it a try but leave you nice clothes at home. This is a casual place.

We stayed here for 1 night in cottage 29. Bluff top views, ocean views from all the main living room windows. It's called the longboard cottage. So cool to finally get a night here since reservations are hard to get. Golf cart to get you to your room. Parking is across the street, use pedestrian walk way or shuttle for $2. Beachcomber restaurant downstairs or shake shack upstairs. Hear ocean waves all night. Our cottage sleeps 10 people since there are lots of bunk beds and single beds. We only used a few beds since just a family of 4. Ellie at front desk is nice. Darrell operates the golf cart. Nice to watch sunset at the beach, September Is good weather. Prices are reasonable and affordable at $288 per night plus taxes and 10% residential fee. Very hot and stuffy when we first arrived but rooms got cooler as the day got darker, fans and heaters in the cottage available too. Fridge worked and no A/C. Our cottage had one of best views for bluff top. We'll prolly shoot for a beach front cottage next time, but those are hard to get too!

We got off to a rough start in Cottage 45 "Soda Shack. Shower backed up and refrigerator not cooling food. Eventually found a Crystal Cove employee who plunged out a hairball left by previous guests. Who ever cleaned the room knew the bath tub wasn't draining, so we left no tip. Further, all the tables were sticky with years of grime. We spent a long time trying to get the sticky out, no luck. The beach, the dolphins, the Beachcomber Restaurant were all 5 stars. It is definitely rustic, but we made the best of it and had a great time. PS bring everything you need because there is nothing to purchase nearby.

I can't believe I live 18 minutes away from this beautiful hidden gem that makes me feel like I'm in paradise like Hawaii (staycation). 1st, I had no idea that "Beaches" was filmed there. Where have I been? Shake Shack, The Beachcomber are excellent restaurants walking distance, but pricey! You can go to z-pizza down the street and pick up Pizza and salad for the night. You must bring everything like your camping (plates, utensils, etc) snacks, drinks, etc. there is no TV. I have only stayed here for one night each time. I think it would be worth it to stay for at least a minimum of two or three days since they kick you out by 11 AM. I was lucky enough to be able to get three cottages this Summer by luck. My friend got one through a lottery, I got one through a cancellation, and one got through with a green spot opening online. I stayed in 19B days which is right on the beach/sand. Very small. I would say a family of 4 max. I would love to stay 19A since there is an above balcony deck with view (upper level ) of photo displayed in green and white cottage. I recently stayed in the big 29 cottage. It was big enough for 10 people. It was a lot of fun, but wish we could have had it for 2 nights! Amazing views and sunset! We had some fun staycations here this past summer. Saw seals, dolphins, whales, sand crabs. Went boogie boarding. Fun times ! Lastly, make sure that you retrieve all of your belongings. It's not like a big resort with a lot of staff. We lost a video game charger for a switch and the never found it.

Amazing place. The cabins are rustic, but comfortable. Only weird thing was the cat that ate a rat in front of the door Of the cabin.

We usually park on the north side of PCH and walk thru the tunnel to the cottages. There is a historical enclave there, up some stairs you can find Shake Shake for tasty milk shakes and delicious hamburgers. There is a restaurant at the end of the path and a shuttle to the parking lot. Usually when we go the beach is not as crowded as other beaches. There are plenty of walking trails and you can always walk on the wet sand for exercise. This is a fun, classy beach destination.

This is such a wonderful place, I cannot believe it exists. I went for a long walk last week and came upon the cottages after eating at the BeachComber Cafe. (Which is TOTALLY AWESOME). I had a rough couple of weeks, my Dog of 17 years...passed away and I just needed something to cheer me up and renew my mind. WELL...this is the place. Mr. John, Mr. Matt, Mr. Angelo, Mr. Daryl...all of the employees there are so kind, and you feel like you are on a vacation in the Caribbean. Everyone is so nice! MY COTTAGE: #37...in March...was SUPER clean. I was surprised considering im a bit of a clean freak. No issues at all...no bugs or rodents but I ...and at was there in March, and also I kept all the food in the refrigerator. There were two portable heaters in my unit. NO noise from anywhere but just the sound of the waves. People coming by to get to the beach, but nothing super crazy. TIP1: If you are used to 4 or 5 star hotel this is really not the place for you... its like low maintenance GLAMPING. This is not a place for people who want a 5 star experience or get freaked out with sand on the floor. Go to the Pelican Bay Resort which is super nice if you want that. TIP2: ITS GORGEOUS....enjoy the beach and the local fare. Shake Shack is upstairs and Beachomber is two min walk. I like the food at the Beachcomber. The service is a bit rushed but for good reason. People want in! You can always get food to go and eat on the beach. Trader Joe's is down the street in a mall and some great restaurants nearby at fashion island. TIP 3. I brought my own blankets and pillows since im a clean freak, and I also brought my own portable heater since I didn't know if they were gonna have any. Well they did! They also had a fan in the closets too. I brought lavender airwicks and put them in since bugs hate the smell of lavender. TIP 4: I was able to get wifi in my cottage to stream from Netflix. It sounds as if some cottages don't. SHOUT OUT: Mr. John and Mr. Matt, who were working the front office, were so friendly yet totally professional. Please give all of them a pat on the back! I told them what a dream it would be to able to stay there, and as with most State run parks, it so hard to get a reservation so most people just quit. They were very helpful with tips, where to go for reservations online...and and a week later, I found a cancelled appt which was sort of a one in a million things to happen and swooped in. Maybe a miracle? I loved every minute. Thank guys!

Other than having the worst time trying to book lodging, it's truly worth being there. Wonderful to wake up on the beach and the restaurant is great. Bring your own food to cook if staying awhile. Lovely place to be

A wonderful location. Very rustic cottage. We had so much fun enjoying the Park. Difficult to book, but worth the effort.

First time staying at the cottage! So far it was a great experience! The guy at check in was very friendly! The drop off my luggage was easy and the shuttle guy from the parking lot was nice! The cottage #45 is adorable! Perfect for me! I had my friend visit and it's peaceful. I definitely felt back in time Love my beach walk and the close by restaurant and bar. I'm totally going to try to book again! It's hard but I did it! N

Being able to stay at one of these cottages was an amazing experience. Because of Covid we actually got number 29, which is normally a dorm style, all to ourselves. Not that we needed it, but it was wonderful. One thing to know about the cottages, is that it's just like camping. You don't have to bring bedding or towels but there are no plates, cups, glasses, the stove is inoperable so we brought our camping stove, griddle and pot to cook soup or heat water in. They had a full-size refrigerator and microwave and a sink. There is a Trader Joe's nearby, but that's about it. everything else is about six or 7 miles away. We forgot our toiletries I had to drive to Irvine to find a Target! It was very cold at night. I don't think they have a lot of insulation. They had a couple space heaters that worked out great, but I would wear warm pajamas. During the day the beach was fantastic but the water was really cold. The restaurant, the Beachcomber, is a must! Best dinner I've had in a very long time. The staff was super friendly! I mean everybody. We didn't run into one cranky staff member. Not even at the restaurant. Our waitress was da bomb!! It's very hard to get a reservation here. Keep trying. It's totally worth it!

I was pleasantly surprised for my first time staying in the cottages. I stayed in a dorm style. Cottage 38 C. It was a small room with a full bed and a little dresser and one window with an ocean view. Room was as expected. Would have been right with 2 people but I was by myself. Great location bc there's 2 bathrooms to choose from right outside the door. I brought my own blankets and was glad bc the bed only has a thin quilt and it was very cold in March. I wasn't bothered at all by other guests. Rarely saw them. Just said hi in passing. No one really hung out in the kitchen. And there's two deck sides. I had one side all to myself. Can't wait to go back and stay with family in a bigger cottage or another solo trip!

For all of the negative reviews because they couldn't get a reservation I don't know what they're doing but I got mine very quickly it was on the second try. I think you just have to be smart about it. I got The Rustic loft number 24 which after taxes is $249 a night. It sleeps 5 with one full bed, one twin and a sofa bed that can fit two uncomfortably. What nobody seems to be mentioning here is that every cabin has MICE problems. There is even a book about it in the gift shop. That would have been nice to know before preparing food on the counters. The mouse we had broke into my dry hot coco mix on the counter and ate it. His name is Pete and he lives under the fridge. I offered him cheese but I guess he has a sweet tooth? In all fairness the cheese was gross. I don't blame him for not eating it. So TIP NUMERO UNO: store everything edible in the refrigerator. Avocados, apples, tomatoes, everything edible. We also had another friend I named Mr. Handsy because he had A LOT of hands! After researching we found out he is a centipede that likes to eat termites and bed bugs and beats them to death with all his hands. So then I started worrying about bed bugs ugh BUT we did not see any or get bit, thank goodness. (see my pics) So the women who work at the check in hate their lives and were very unwelcoming and mean on every encounter. Check out time is 11 and I overslept. I do it all the time they called me at 11:15 and had a guy at my door to collect my stuff and get the hell out within minutes. The guy said they were worried what I had done to the loft. I was like WTF? I am not rock star trashing the place?! I don't like the implications and the pushy bouncer type tactics. I tried to apologize at the front desk. I told her the waves crashing on the shores had me in a solid sleep, so sorry and she just gave me a dirty look and shoved my receipt at me and shook her head like I committed a crime. Check In time is 4:00pm so that also blows! So the awesome hot tub bath with sky lite that they boast about does not function. There was no plug so I used washrags and filled it with the only option, the shower. Most tubs of this type had a spout that fills it fast. This one does not. So after an hour of filling the tub I am excited to turn the jets on and nothing (repeatedly)...sad face. Luckily I brought a bath bomb so it wasn't a total bust. Here is another VERY IMPORTANT tip, read your cabin journal STAT. It gives you info on prior gets stays and issues. They do not have gas so the stoves do not function. . There is no wood or charcoal grilling allowed. Only propane, so forget about s'mores. UNLESS you want to pay $68 for a bonfire pit the Beachcomber will set up for you. Be prepared with cash. The parking lot is quite the truck up hills etc to get to the cottages after you park your car in the designated lot across the freeway. There is a shuttle the Beachcomber provides for $1.50 a ride. The Beachcomber itself was disappointing and overpriced. I had an endless summer drink from a bartender with an attitude. I started to drink it when my friends mentioned they saw the strawberries were moldy. I was like WTF (my drink had muddled strawberries). I still drank it because I was afraid to take it back to the jerk bartender. I started feeling sick immediately and stopped drinking it. $14 out the window. It was probably all just in my head but it was also WAY too sweet. Would I do it again? Nah. I think there are prettier beaches, nicer places with happy people that live and work there.

Today I tried the Bootlegger's Bar in Crystal Cove, next to The Beachcomber and was very impressed. The Shimp Ceviche was delicious and our server Marisa was so friendly and efficient that I asked to speak with her supervisor to commend her. I learned from her supervisor Will that she is a valued employee. After learning that she'd work at all the different roles at the restaurant and bar over several years, I strongly urged that she be considered for promotion!

This is THE romantic getaway of Orange County. So, I will start the review off as real as I can. There is simply no way to look at these cottages as top rate beach side hotel rooms or even exclusive bed and breakfast. These are Row-Huh-MAN-TIC! With uUFf! In the forecast! The location is right on pch just south of Jamboree, situated on the cliff side at Crystal cove recreation area, a California state parks facility. How do i get in? Well, reservations are typically booked 6 months in advance and you have to be persistent if you want to make one. Either that or be driven by a "deeper force". Log on to Ca state parks website and be ready to hit "book" at the "stroke of 8" (*ahem, pun...) that's a A.M. If it doesn't work on the first try...try again tomorrow! Isn't she worth it? My stay was kicked off by the sprawling ocean view before my reservation confirmation in the office. And I was swept away by the overlook...then frozen by how amazing it would be to be standing by her side there on the wide patio. See what I mean? Then, after a little wait for the unit to be cleaned, I checked in. Parking is across on the opposite side of pch. A little far but there is a quick walk from the parking lot thru the pch signal down to the cottages; a quiet, and a bit longer "tunnel" stroll beneath the highway; OR an all-day shuttle that will quickly take you and your companion to a convenient drop-off area across the highway. My unit was very clean and cozy. The wide bay windows offered views that would inspire Degas, Monét, or Don Juan to pause for whatever "creative" venture that popped up. The common areas were warm and open and inviting. The room was secluded and is the only unit with its own bathroom and shower. Bonus, right? The deck sparked wistful temptation to nonverbal acts of wonderment and gratitude. In short, made me want to search for privacy. A short walk down a stairwell to the beach and firepits was another huge bonus. I sat on the picnic table and played my guitar for two hours as the fires burned and children and couples laughed and whispered in the presence of utter nature and beauty. Darkness wrapping around the dancing shafts of warm yellow light as I played, maybe I'll get a call or a visit? Over night in the rooms, played guitar quietly for the other guests then turned in. The sound of frogs on the path side of the cottage and waves crashing on the sea side pulled me off to a wistful but restful slumber. Dreams of dolphins. And then I woke early to find a pod of about 10 dolphins mysteriously lolling in the surf directly in front of the cottage! A sign? Definitely a majickal time. I stayed one night of the 3 I had booked. Being alone there was very nice but not easy for a romantic like myself. If you stay here, bring someone special. Maybe my dolphins will visit you, too. Special date. Anniversary. Honeymoon. Or a secret place with your very best friend. It's inexpensive. There are different types of accomodations for groups or couples. And it's worth the wait and trouble. If you're including someone special, aren't they worth it?

Enough wonderful things have been said about this place, all true. Great beach, cottages and restaurant. I won't focus on what already has been said. It may sound like criticism but it's really meant to be helpful with tips for your trip. *****. Staying at a cottage **** 1. This is a state run hotel. 2. The beds are creaky 3. Kitchen has a refrigerator and microwave **** NO STOVE ****** otherwise bare. 4. Bring your own hot plate for cooking or use microwave. Bring your own plates, cups, utensils, pots, pans, spatula and so on.. 5. There is a Trader Joe's down the street and a Pavilions about a mile away. 6. Your car is parked across the hwy, you are given a pass. that allows you to come in and out of the parking lot. 7. You can rent a propane fire pit from the restaurant. They rent them on line only and a month in advance. 8. Long wait to eat the Beachcomber restaurant, but they give you pager/ buzzer that notifies you when they are ready for you. It has range of 200 yards. So you can still explore the beach while waiting. 9. The same shopping center that has the Trader Joe's has about 4 restaurants that includes Z pizza. Crystal cove shopping center. 10.The worst part of the experience, is leaving.

We recently spent the day with family and friends at Cottage #14 of the Crystal Cove Cottages. This cottage is the last one at the south end that can be rented. It is near the Beaches Cottage (the movie), and just beyond are tide pools. What an amazing day! We hung out on the sand, walked the beach, shopped at the on site store, had cocktails at the Beachcomber, and enjoyed a wonderful BBQ meal of shrimp/corn/potatoes prepared on the patio by my brother-in-law. These Cottages are owned and maintained by the state parks. Reservations open up online the first of each month for bookings 6 months out. And they go fast! The rental fee is unreal for these beach front properties. Cottage #14 rental was $225 for 4 people. There is an additional $68 per night fee for an additional 2 people. The cottages are well maintained, comfortable, quaint, just lovely! There was a vintage looking green fridge (it worked) and a vintage old stove (it didn't work, for decoration only). There was an ant problem when we were there. It is interesting to read about the history of these cottages, which started first as tent camps in the 1950s. There is a lot of history and memories behind these beach homes, and a lot of fun times that were had! As we were (sadly) leaving, families were setting up fire pits on the beach. It was an amazing and fun day!

I am in love with this place. It was our first time. We got luckily enough to get cottage #16, which has amazing views, with a patio overlooking to sand and ocean. The great thing is you are steps from the beach so I could watch the kids play while sitting on the patio. Everyone had an amazing time, we didn't want to leave. Some tips... the upstairs bedroom can get cold because the only heater is downstairs. So depending when you go consider that room could be a ice box.... No coffee machine, which made me a little sad. The check in office has coffee but that is a serious walk/hike for coffee. The beachcomber charged $7 for two cups of coffee. But the Ruby Shack has coffee for cheaper and it tasted better. We wanted ice and no ice is sold on the park, and trader joe doesn't sell ice either. Fridge worked great though. Take a small first aid kit cause they don't sell anything besides sunscreen. I got a blister and didn't have any bandaids, I survived. The waves crashing and views can cure anything. They have WIFi but it's pretty bad, and our we kept losing cell service. Again not big deal. Check In process was super easy and everyone was extremely nice. We will be back, excellent time.

Cottage 40: Assuming you already know about CCC: it's not glamping, these are rustic cottages, bring a gas bbq, hot plate and/or plug in skillet. What's specific to this spot: it's a studio with tiny kitchen and big bathroom. Best part is the patio. This is the closest to the sand of any cottage. It's got a 1/3 size fridge, which accommodated the entirely of my 60 qt cooler. Tiny sink. You'll find yourself ducking a lot if you're 6'3" or taller. Otherwise - just what you'd expect from the other cottages- rustic, quaint, minimally appointed.. and a couple cobwebs. Go in expecting that and you'll love it.

Great weekend getaway. Matt qas awesome at check in. Told me all the details we would need for our rustic getaway. Where to park, how to get around. Stayed in cottage 24. Sleeps 5. Has a back entrance on the rear steps and a cool little garden setting if you don't want to stare at the ocean. Easy steps down to a patio table with umbrella then a few more steps to the beach. Plan on ordering Grub Hub or any other food delivery service. Met them right where we checked in. The cottage is like going back in time. 1940 to 1960 style interior. Small bathroom. No TV, WiFi. Just the sounds of the surf to out you to sleep. Loved the chance to recharge without electronics to get in the way. Big thanks to Matt and Tom for helping us with our bags both check in and check out. Will defintely be back again.

Our family has been trying to snag a coveted cottage at Crystal Cove for over two years. Booking one of these historic homes turns out to be a mix of planning, persistence and dumb luck. Over the Christmas break we were able to stay at Cottage #19A with friends staying in two other cottages. Now that we have our first vacation there in the books I feel obligated to share some tips on how to get a cottage and then how to make the best of your stay. 1.) Booking the cottage. Because the cottages are state owned you need to book it through Reserve America. The beach cottages can be booked six months in advanced. If you miss that window, try to keep your eye out for cancellations (72 hrs in advance) by checking the website or set a request on the Reserve America's website that will notify you when a cottage becomes available during the preset times you select. You're more likely to see cancellations when the forecast calls for rain. If you can grab one -- do it! You just know it will clear up and you'll have a crystal clear day! 2.) Ruby's Shake Shack offers packed lunches "To Go." The Shake Shack is perched right above the cottages and offers a specular view if you want to eat there, but we took our lunch "To Go." The nice people at Ruby's pack up our lunches into individual lunch bags for easy dining on the beach. 3.) Bring games. There is no Wi-Fi at the cottages and no TVs in the rooms. It's the perfect place to unplug and play some old fashioned board games or beach games like cornhole or smash ball. Don't forget your football! 4.) Rent a bonfire from the Beachcomber. The only way to have a bonfire on the beach at Crystal Cove is to rent one from the Beachcomber. They will set it up -- even the chairs for up to 12 people-- and get it roaring for your group. For more info on the go to their website. 5.) The coffee situation in the morning. If you're like my husband and me you need to know in advance the coffee situation on any trip. There is a small coffee maker in the room but you can go to the check-in counter and get a carafe filled with coffee -- free of charge -- to take to your room or if you're lucky enough to have a patio, enjoy your java there. You can also grab a coffee from Ruby's or the Tiki Bar at Beachcomber. Lots of options so you're good. 6.) Bring extra blankets. There are extra blankets in the rooms but it gets chilly at night at the beach. Each of us brought our own throw blanket to take outside and cuddle in and use on top of the bed if needed. We ALL used them. 7.) Heaven for sea glass collectors. Crystal offers some of the most beautiful sea glass in SoCal. You ARE allowed to collect: sea glass, driftwood (up to 50 lbs.) but keep in mind you ARE NOT allowed to collect shells, sand, rocks, any living creatures, or anything out of the tide pools. 8.) Hit Trader Joe's before checking in. The Crystal Cove Trader Joe's is just minutes from the Crystal Cove Cottages. Some of the cottages have kitchens -- a few have stoves -- but all have refrigerators. Grab pre-made salads, supplies for sandwiches and healthy snacks at TJ's. Remember whatever you bring you'll have to carry to your cottage (or load on the cart). 9.) Pack simply. I can't stress this enough. Not only to embrace the laid-back vibe at the cottages but for practical reasons: simplicity is the key to packing for a stay at the cottages. Wear jeans more than once. Don't bring a massive amounts of makeup or beauty supplies. Pack small meals and snacks. Also, don't have a lot of loose items. Pack everything into bags or suitcases. You'll either need to transfer them onto the cart that takes you to your cabin or walk your things down from the parking lot. Either way, you want it all to be concise and secured. 10.) Become an advocate for The Crystal Cove Alliance. Their mission is to renovate and preserve for future generations the Historic District's unique cultural, natural and historic resources and to make these values available for the enjoyment and education of all. There is a wealth of information on their website. This is a must-read before your trip!

We've been wanting to stay here for years but never been able to find any availability until now. It is just amazing the demand for these cottages. They've got to have the highest occupancy rate of any hotels in the world as it's gotta be near 100%. And it's not like its a great bargain either. At $200/night, it's cheap for the location. But it's also very rustic. The cottages are decorated and furnished to their original state and you do feel like you've step back in time. We stayed at a cottage on the bluff, next to the check-in. While not on the beach, it's extremely peaceful as it's removed from the beach and restaurant crowd. Being near the reception also has the advantage of having access to the free coffee and hot water offered throughout the day. Our cottage came with 1 bedroom, 1 bath, with a pullout bed and a day bed surrounded on one side with windows with a sweeping view of the ocean and beach. This is where the wife enjoyed settling in with a book. The little patio was furnished with 2 teak Adirondacks where you can relax and also enjoy a great view. With only the benefit of a microwave and a refrigerator, you pretty much need to venture out for meals. In the grounds, you have the Beachcomber and Ruby's Date Shack. Both are open for all 3 meals. During our stay, we ate at a few excellent eateries - Bear Flag, Javier's and Sidedoor as well as enjoying a shake at the Date Shack and brunch at the Beachcomber on our check out day. The whole family enjoyed the stay. Unfortunately it was still too cool for the boys to really enjoy the beach but we took fun strolls up and down the beautiful beach and exploring the tide pools. At checkout, we inquired about any tricks to being able to have more luck making a reservation in the future and received a really good tip which I won't share but needless to say we're looking forward to our next stay!

The most beautiful beach front vacation experience in Orange County by far. Quaint. Quiet. What relaxing beach vacations are made of! Crystal Cove Beach Cottages are hard to book but they are hard to beat as well! They are a refreshing throwback to more simple times where the sounds/smells/sights of the ocean and the company you keep were enough... and I could not appreciate these ideals more! They range in price from $180 - $350 a night but often sleep 2-8+ so they are far more bang for your buck than their Marriott or Pelican Hill neighbors. The cottages are serviced every other day and never skimp on the ocean view. Every cottage is clean and filled to the brim with vintage charm. Coffee, tea, hot water and cider are all available at the offices and there is a delicious (sort of pricy) restaurant that services the public and guests - the Beachcomber. By far my favorite place to staycation in OC. PS. If you have a hard time booking the standard 6 months in advanced, try to keep your eye out for cancellations (72hrs in advance) on the weekend you're looking for... Also, when the forecast says rain, you're more than likely to find 1-2 cancellations - Remember in CA, the rain never lasts more than a few hours!

Delicious Dinner. Great service and very accommodating with any requests too. Reasonable Corkage of $20.00

Above my cottage (19B/"Crew's Quarters") I can hear a child's footsteps as well as the ocean. I have a squeaky bed facing an ugly sprinkler system. The chairs are stained and the sofa is comfortable. The bathroom is small but there is a lot of storage space. There's a ceiling fan, automatic heater, and toaster included. #24/"Rustic Loft" is more special because of the amazing oceanfront view. During the day, the inner bedroom is bright because of double skylights. I was disappointed that I couldn't use the tub for a bubble bath because the drain doesn't have a stopper. The cottage is set with a squeaky trundle and twin bed that share the front room with a dining table. There is a kitchen with a fake stove, microwave, and vintage-style refrigerator. I can get wifi from both the dining table and loft in #27 but the network isn't available after midnight. The back patio, shingles, and vintage-style refrigerator grew on me. The kitchen has plastic cups but the microwave is behind a curtain. The trunk in the loft has a beer bottle with a note inside (I used it as a nightstand but was creeped out once I realized I could fit in it). There are horseshoes in the dirt next to the tree.

The view from the porch at # 40 is gorgeous as you see. There is also a super fun FREE jewelry making class across the bridge from the Beachcomber. It uses sea glass that's been washed up on the beach from all of the prohibition rum runners bottles that broke when they smuggled alcohol in the dark. The class is every Wednesday from 10-4. Rick, who runs it, teaches students from 4-94. There is a microwave, fridge and sink inside. The beds is a full size and there is a twin in the front room. It's cozy and adorable, tho not first class... more glamorized camping (glamping!)

Beautiful, but the room had bed bugs. I have read some reviews from people getting bit. And then we brought some bed bugs home. So gross

Just comin' off an amazing stay at cottage #45. Cottage #45 is the soda shack, it's not right on the beach, but it has it's own private patio overlooking the creek, and you are allowed to pull your car right out front to unload. Its' decorated with coco cola memorabilia, has 1 bedroom and a pull out couch, a funky vintage old school fridge and a small ant problem :) So despite the fact that it rained (in June!!!) the entire time I was there AND we had one of the smaller less exciting cottages, this was still one of the best family vacations ever! On Dec. 1st at exactly 8am, my husband and I plotted a coordinated attack on the online reservation system, we selected our dates and cottage and at exactly 8am on the dot we hit submit and while my attempt stalled out on our home connection, my husband's fast office connection secured our spot. You pay for the entire reservation up front, then a few extra taxes once you check out. Each cottage is unique and restored to their true vintage glory. It would have been easier to tear down these hodgepodge structures and build modern buildings, but instead developers strive to maintain the original style as much as possible. So be aware, your cottage will be RUSTIC! Most don't have stoves or coffee makers. You'll need to pack like your camping, just basic linens and some paper plates are provided. The beach is beautiful here, some sandy swimming areas as well as lively tide pools. There's a sit-down restaurant on the beach, with a full bar (but no drinks to-go!), and a casual burger and shakes place up on the bluff. I'd recommend bringing a little gas grill so you can cook and save money at your cottage. The beach is popular and full of people all day, so get up early to snag a good spot. There's a gift shop with souvenirs, but no groceries are available in the park. They also offer beach rentals, so you can get chairs, umbrellas, and even these awesome gas beach bonfire things. Lots of people show up late for bon fires! Parking for cottage guests is tricky, there's a 15 min check in lot, and a staff person in a golf cart will shuttle you and your things down to the cottage when you arrive. After that, you have to move your car to a lot located on the opposite side of the highway and it's an 8 min. trek back and fourth, up hill away from the park. There's a shuttle, but it's slow and not worth waiting for. Overall, this is an excellent place for a beach vacation. Too bad it's unbelievably hard to get reservation! I wish everyone could enjoy this unique place, so get up early and snag a reservation, it'll be worth it!

We got The Romantic Retreat Cottage #33. Great yard area! Great view! Beware there isn't a stovetop or an oven!!!...just a microwave and a full size refrigerator. I would recomend it for a couple or for a group...It has a nice yard!...you're allowed to have a self contained gas canister BBQ...you could have a great little get together!

A unique and wonderfully quirky experience - if you are lucky enough to score a cottage Dont miss the opportunity! They have ADA accessible cottages! With some handicapped parking

I had my wedding at the Crystal Cove Cottages on 5/2/15. It was the perfect location - offering a rustic beach wedding with the beautiful ocean and mountains as natural beauties in the backdrop. Everyone raved about the food served at the wedding. A beautiful and memorable experience for sure! I would highly recommend getting married here. We chose the Cultural Cottage #34 because we didn't want to have to worry about a lot of people wandering up on our party. We selected the steak and salmon along with several side dishes to accommodate the vegetarians in our group. We had roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potato bar, coconut rice & grilled tofu. We also had tomato bisque soup and field green salad. We also served appetizers during the cocktail hour consisting of stuffed mushrooms and beef sliders. Everything was great!

I have been actively trying to reserve one of these things for 4-5 years now. Like since when they first became available. The reservation system is reedunkulous and sooo frustrating. Now I am not going to try to anymore. A friend of mine finally got one, for one night in December. It was expensive (Like maybe 120.00, I think) and when she got there she found they had to SHARE A BATHROOM AND KITCHEN with another family. Whaaatt??? Another review says they have to park far away, its hard to get your stuff there, and the "helpers" are anything but helpful. Then think about: The State of California basically threw out the owners of these cabins. Really? Did they really need to do that? Had one of those been my family vacation cabin, I would be livid for the rest of my life about it! Imagine, renting them out to make $$ off your loss. That really is awful. Now I am glad I didn't get one. (before you write that comment to me, Yes, I AM bitter I never was successfully able to rent one, Ok? )

This was our first stay here, and I think we will be back for a mini local get away from time to time. It is a cross between a funky old motel with few amenities and the best beach hotel you have ever stayed at, simply because of the location. We were in the Dive Shack, a couple of doors from the Beachcomber and up the stairs from the beach. So we were elevated above the crowds, yet the access was directly down to the sand. There was no A/C, but airing the place out cooled it down quite a bit. There was a tiny kitchen with a fridge, microwave and toaster, with supplied plastic utensils and paper plates, so cooking was pretty much out. But there was also a great patio up front, another large one out back, and a porch. If I wanted to have a big party, this would be a place to do it, then kick everyone out for the night and sleep to the sound of the crashing waves.

We stayed in 29A Great place to relax, I live in Newport Beach a few miles away but when you are there you feel like you're worlds apart, bring a small propane grill or a Coleman stove to cook breakfast and dinner since there is no burner inside the cottage, go to the beachcomber for a good burger during the day... turn your cell off and just relax.

The woman at the front desk during the morning (the older lady-blondish hair) hates her job and makes sure everyone knows it. She is rude to EVERY person that walks into that office. It is such a shame that somewhere so lovely has someone so miserable, rude and mean representing them. I just don't understand how you can be rude every day. They need a replacement. She ruins people's stay and that's is really sad.

Vintage beach living at its finest. We were lucky enough to snag one night in Cottage #32. Great place for quality family time! Cottage #32 sits up from the "road" that leads to it. There are a couple of flights of stairs you have to climb in order to get to the front door of #32. (I would say about 20-25 stairs). Just beware if you're taking tons of luggage and/or a stroller along. There is no elevator here. Nor escalator. Keep in mind this is all vintage beach living. I say "road" because there are no motor vehicles allowed on the path that leads to the cottages. Only official vehicles. You can drive up to the "check-in" cottage, but thats it. They'll help you transport your belongs from your vehicle to your assigned cottage via golf cart, but then you'll have to move your vehicle to a parking lot across Pacific Coast Highway, and either take the shuttle back down to your cottage or walk. The walk from the parking lot to the cottages is only about 15 mins. You walk in a tunnel underneath PCH, so that keeps you from having to dodge speeding vehicles. Pretty spacious once inside #32- one of the largest individual cottages they have. A full-sized bed in one room, and a pair of bunk beds in another. Off the living room is an enclosed sunroom with a daybed and a spectacular view of the beach/ocean. (You did have to climb a couple of flights of stairs, remember?! So you have pretty much an unobstructed, amazing view!) Watching the sunset here is just breathtaking. There's a small patio in the back of the house. But no real views there. Just a brick wall. Theres a wooden table and a few wooden chairs. Spent no time here. There's only one bathroom, despite there being enough room to hold 9 people. Only a walk-in shower, and no bathtub (for those who may need a tub to bathe their baby/toddler). And the walk-in shower is all tile, with no kind of grip tape to keep you from slipping -- this was a problem for me since i had a toddler i needed to bathe. I just ended up putting down some towels to help keep her from slipping. There is no working stove. Only a microwave. They supply paper plates and utensils. There's a refrigerator w/ a freezer and some ice cube trays. No tv, no radio. The front door is about 50 yards from the public restroom. Actually right across the pathway. I thought it would be a problem. But it wasn't. It wasn't noisy at all. I would definitely stay here again. Very affordable too considering it's beachfront & OC location.

If you want a Hilton type place go to one, but if you want a cool place on the sand, this is the spot. My family loves Crystal Cove and we look to reserve cottages year round, even though we live local. The beach is cool; hiking, tide pools, and pretty clear water. Bring some extra blankets and enjoy.

We booked our recent attempted trip in September to the cottages back in February. Upon arrival, we walked into our cottage #27 and saw bugs and ants everywhere! The lady who worked there said it was a swarm of termites that must have flown in. Those termites were in the curtains, on the couch, floor and in the beds/under the sheets! The ants were eating the dead termites so I'm not sure how long the place was like that. The assistant manager, Kent, attempted a clean up by vacuuming the termites up. There was no offer of sheet changes for the beds or linens. Nothing was wiped down or changed. My husband went back into the cottage after the attempted clean up and found termites lingering between the sheets, in the curtains and a few flying around. While they did offer to let us stay at a reduced rate, it was not sanitary and I couldn't let my two little kids stay in a place with bugs in the bed! The most disappointing part was the lack of customer service after the whole incident. We wanted to re-book a different cottage but there was no assistance with the process. The GM Lindsey Lane said it was "an act of God" and we would have to rebook through reserve America again, which if you've ever tried to book these cottages is pretty hard to do for the weekend! He made a big deal about how they returned our money for the weekend, but shouldn't that be expected when something like this happens? Very sad and disappointed with our attempted stay.

We got lucky and got cottage #14 the south beach suit. Weather in mid to end of December was in the mid to high 60s. Mornings were cool, not cold and as the sun rose it gradually warned up to light shirt and shorts summer wear. ZER0 humidity. As we look out, we see families out enjoying the surf early in the morning around 8am and think how? Being it's soo cold. It's easy, the water temp at crystal cove cottages in December is always the warmest out of any month including the summer months. It's truly amazing. This is our first time here. When we walked in our jaw dropped. It's an absolutely astounding cottage!! VERY OPEN SPACIOUS FLOOR PLAN!! Omg. It blew our minds. I'm not one to rely and trust reviews but damn were the reviews spot on about just how perfect this place is. It's an absolute slice of paradise. Kitchen- large open kitchen with huge counter tops that's got ton of room. Fridge is old fashioned 1930s era that works and is very cold. Best part is the fridge makes absolutely NO NOISE!! It'll hold a ton of food. Top is s freezer and bottom is your refrigerator. P.s if you bring ice packs you can freeze em so they're ready when you're leaving. There's a toaster and microwave. The stove is for show. If you do want to cook it'd be a good idea to bring an electric hot plate or two. If you bring a propane cooker you'll need to cook outside on the private patio over the garage or out the back door in the kitchen. There's a cement back yard that you can use. No proper real utensils. Bring your own. The cottage has disposable stuff that you can use but doesn't come with knives, can openers etc. bring ur whole damn kitchen drawer with real stuff. No proper plates, glasses, bowls etc. If you don't want to bring ur own glass stuff, you can stop by a dollar tree and pick stuff up that'll be much more practical and useable than the disposable stuff. Bring your own pots, pans, frying pans everything etc. just bring your whole kitchen. No coffee pot. Trust me I read you can walk up the hill to grab a carafe. It's not easy and it's uphill, far n very cold in the morning. Ain't nobody got time for that. Just bring ur own coffee/tea stuff. Kitchen has infinite storage cupboards. It's a beautiful well designed kitchen!! Living room - Couch is very comfortable. Firm yet supportive and soft. This couch folds out into a three person sleeper!! Trust me that mattress on there is very comfortable. Memory foam something something that knocks you out. - Two sofa chairs or whatever you call em. You'll sink in. They're very comfortable but seem frayed and dated. Kind of worn out tbh. Still good. First bedroom across from the living room was cozy with two twin beds. Once again the most comfortable mattress you will ever sleep on. They have extra pillows, sheets and blankets in the little cubby hole in the corner along with a box fan and a metal heater. We used the heater. Brand new. Heats up the room fast, but is too noisy to use while you're trying to sleep. The main long heater with a fan in it by the kitchen was good enough. You really won't need the added blankets as the beds have a thick one and another blanket with a million sheets underneath. It's like sleeping on a cloud. Downstairs bathroom. One thing about cottage #14 is that they have doors that are barn style. The bathroom has a sliding barn style door that you do have to open and close gently as it's got almost no friction. Bathrooms come equipped with plenty of good quality 100% cotton bath towels, hand wash/face towels and throws to put down on the floor for when you have to shower. Yes they provide toilet paper and napkin boxes as well as soap. Bring ur toothbrush tho and comb. The toilet flushes mightily with gusto. The shower has amazing powerful full force water pressure. Important note about cottage 14.... the bottom bathroom is the only one that has a shower tub combo full bathroom. Nice art in the bathrooms. The location of the sink is not really ideal when the door is closed. If you're washing ur face or brushing ur teeth and you lean down your butt will cause that sliding door to swing out. It's cramped with the door shut. Cottage #14 is the only cottage with a master suit that has a California king size bed on which is fitted a memory foam mattress and a ton of memory foam pillows. Do not lay down on this thing during the day. You won't wake up. Has two side tables with lamps that work. You'll need an extra long charging cable for ur phone if you plan on using it while laying down. Otherwise you can just plug it in next to the outlet and place it on the nightstand. The sound of crashing waves kept me up as they were thunderous. Idk if that's a bad thing but I set my alarm on my phone to see the sun rise. Upstairs bath has no shower, only Toilet and sink.

We stayed in cottage 19B, which is a great location and perfect if you have little ones. The sand is literally 20 feet away and there are no stairs to climb. The cottage itself was the size of a hotel room but had enough room for a pack n play and an inflatable toddler bed. I was worried about how we would get all our stuff down to the cottage but they take you via golf cart. Overall we had a lovely weekend! The downsides: the shelves in the mini-fridge were broken, which cut down the fridge space by half. No "kitchen" sink - you had to use the bathroom sink to rinse anything out. The showerhead was not installed correctly and sprayed water all over including out the top of the shower stall.

The cottages and location are incredible! So beautiful and truly one of a kind! The staff unfortunately has terrible service! Specifically Kathryn is shockingly rude. So sad for what could be a perfect place. Daryl the bellman was the only bright spot of service along with the incredible beachcomber staff!

We stayed at the Crystal Cove for first time in November! We stayed in Long Board Lodge that has the dorm style cottage. We stayed in 29B that has four twin beds. The view was amazing. I have stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Deigo and the Aulani in Hawaii. These properties are very nice and pricey. But, If you get are lucky enough to book a reservations to stay it is so affordable and totally worth it! It was such a nice and relaxing getaway. The weather is pretty nice year round in the OC so you can enjoy the beach all the time. It was not crowded while we stayed because it was not tourist season. We are looking forward to staying in our own cottage for our next visit.