My husband, 2 kids and I stayed in cottage 38B on a whim while on a vacation in S. California. I knew how difficult it was to get one of these so when I saw one available on a date that worked for us, I rather impulsively grabbed it. Problem was that check-in was at 4 pm and check-out at... More

We got a last-minute chance to stay at cottage number 24, a great location perched up several flights of stairs, just down from the Beachcomber Restaurant. So far, so great. As these reservations are hard to come by, we took over a friend's who couldn't come. So we were willing to roll with the punches. First, let me say it... More

We were there for four nights, March 18-21 and my family had a wonderful time. We went with a contingency plan of going to Knott's Berry Farm and the Aquarium of the Pacific if the kids got bored but we wonly ended up spending about 4 hours at the Aquarium and the rest at the beach. The water was cold,... More

Although I like to plan trips out in advance, booking something 7 months out is a little extreme, even for me. I heard about these wonderful cottages after doing an internet search for "unique California hotels." I checked several times a day for cancellations on ReserveAmerica, hoping to snag a room on a coveted weekend. And based on advice from... More

I managed to pick up a cancellation during winter break for Cottage 32, known as the Painter's Cottage, for three nights. Crystal Cove recently opened their new commons area (a museum like space with lots of outdoor seating to comfortably relax and read or watch the ocean). The Commons and the Beachcomber and other public buildings were lit with Christmas... More

Here's an update from my initial review of May 23, 2011. As others have mentioned, don't expect luxury accommodations. You'll get soap, but no shampoo. You'll likely use the same towel for your same visit. No one's going to make your bed unless you bring mom with you. But there are few, if any, other places where you step back... More

On a whim I went to Reserveamerica to check out the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. We had been looking for a place in Laguna and the prices weren’t dropping enough for a last minute get away. Low and behold, I found an available cottage and booked it without checking anything out, I just thought this is the hardest place in... More

...so Crystal Cove is closer to camping than staying at the Ritz down the coast. Most of the cottages are rustic, decor is quirky, and the furnishings are vintage. But staying the night in your own cottage, hanging over one of the state's most beautiful - and least populated - beaches makes up for a lot. My only complaint is... More

Two of us stayed in #37, Fisherman's Perch for 2 days in September, and why I can see why so many are in love with this place, but it's not for everybody. Our cottage was old (of course) and really needed some work. Rusty bathroom sink, leaky kitchen sink rotting the wood kitchen counter, missing window glass in one bedroom,... More