Crystal Cove Beach Cottages are a hot item and everyone wants to rent one. You have seen the pictures, read the guidebooks and looked at all the reviews. You ‘re ready to rent a beach cottage at Crystal Cove but have heard it’s just about impossible to get a reservation.
There are 24 cottages for rent at Crystal Cove. They range from beachfront to bluff top. Advance reservations are a must and next to impossible to get.
Use this guide to increase your chances of snagging one of the most sought-after beach rentals in Southern California.
How To Crystal Cove Beach Cottages Reservation
It takes a little work and a lot of luck to get the most coveted beach rental in California here is how you do it: All reservations are made through ReserveCalifornia. No exceptions unless you are a celebrity or VIP.
Cottages can be reserved up to six months in advance and most of them are. On the first of each month at 8 am, another month will open for reservations, so each month there is a new opportunity to rent a cottage.
Get online and start banging those keys 8 AM PST sharp and try to snag a reservation before someone else does. Cottage Reservations
You must have a ReserveCalifornia account prior to reserving a cottage. Sign up for your free account before you try to make a reservation. If you miss out on a reservation there is still a chance to catch a cancellation.
Cancellations are posted online within minutes and posted as the letter ‘A’ in the shaded areas of the ‘Crystal Cove Beach Cottages: Date Range Availability.
Keep checking back with the Reserve America website and look for that letter A. If you see the letter ‘R’ that means reserved, keep trying. It’s not impossible so if you’re determined enough you might end up renting one of the extremely popular Crystal Cove Beach Cottages.
Best Beach Cottage at Crystal Cove
Which cottage is the best to stay in? Any cottage you can get a reservation for is a good one. Here is a breakdown of the locations:
Cottages 18, 29, 39, 38 and 33 are all bluff-top cottages. Cottages 24, 27 and 2 are on the beach next to the Beachcomber Restaurant. Cottages 1, 19 and 16 are also on the beach. Cottages 32 and 37 are beach level but back from the sand.
All Crystal Cove cottages have a microwave and refrigerator, and ADA-accessible units have a small electric cooktop. Open flames are not allowed in the Crystal Cove Historic District. This includes charcoal and wood-burning barbecues, tiki torches, smoking, and other open flames.
Self-contained gas canister type barbecues are permitted on the beach and at designated locations at each cottage.
Dining options include the Beachcomber Restaurant which is in the and the shake shack adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway.
Dogs on leashes are only allowed on the common roads and trails. No pets are allowed in the cottages or on the beach with the exception of certified/companion canines.
Cottages #29, #38, and #39 have been designated as Dorm-style Cottages. These lodgings include individually secured bedrooms that share a common living area, kitchen, patio areas, and bathrooms.
For Dorm-style Rooms, linens and towels will be furnished on bed tops upon arrival. It will be the guests’ responsibility to make their own beds. Towels are not replaced during your stay.
Common area Kitchens feature a microwave, refrigerator, disposable plates, and utensils. In addition, ADA-accessible cottages include a small cooktop. Alcohol possession is prohibited in all Dorm-style Cottages.
There are no laundry facilities at Crystal Cove. Beach towels, along with chairs and umbrellas, will be available during the season on the beach for a fee. There are no televisions, however, all cottages do have kitchens and bathrooms.
Moro Campground Crystal Cove State Park
Moro Campground is about one mile south of Crystal Cove. This campground offers bluff top campsites. All campsites feature ocean views. During low tide, you can walk to the colony (cottages) have a meal and return before the tide comes in. If you are not able to secure a reservation for a beach cottage we recommend staying at Moro Campground.
Getting to Crystal Cove Laguna Beach
Crystal Cove State Park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach with easy access from I-5, 405 and 73.