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Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!!

Photo gallery for Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!!

Beach
Pool
Private kitchen
Private kitchen
Living area

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 374.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Spa pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Dana Point, CA
  • Place, Salt Creek Beach Park
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Dana Point Preserve
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Salt Creek Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Common area 1

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!!

Nestled in the Headlands of Monarch Beach, this California Riviera cottage is only steps from Strand Beach and a 5 minute walk to Salt Creek beach and the 5-Star Ritz Carlton. It is the perfect getaway location for two or for your family. Just a mile away is the St. Regis to the north and the famous Dana Point Harbor to the South.

Enjoy strolls along the beach or harbor at sunset, unwind with the gentle breeze of the Pacific Ocean and lose yourself in the tranquility of Orange County's most elite beach resort.

Your condo is a lower unit with easy access and parking directly in front of the condo. It features a king size bed that sleeps 2 and a sofa-futon that sleeps 1. There is also a full kitchen with all appliances & utensils, a laundry room, flat screen TV with cable, and a VCR & DVD player. Beach chairs, an umbrella, and towels and linens are provided. A reserved parking space is also located in front of the cottage. The beach complex also includes a large swimming pool, a clubhouse and two jacuzzi.

Enjoy the surf and sand at Strand Beach or Salt Creek Beach Park. These beautiful white sand beaches are just steps away and are the most beautiful in Southern California. Relax on the beach or enjoy the famous surfing and body surfing in the water.

Your beach cottage is close to entertainment & activities throughout Southern California. Legoland, Safari Park, the San Diego Zoo and Sea World are just minutes away to the south. Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios are only 60 minutes to the north.

Dana Point Harbor offers cruises to Catalina along with whale watching, jet skiing, parasailing, fishing and boat rentals. There are shops and restaurants at the harbor along with the Ocean Institute. You can go up the road a few miles to Laguna Beach where there is more shopping, restaurants and white sand beaches along with art galleries and festivals like the Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters. A little further up the road is Newport Beach where you can enjoy that shopping spree at Fashion Island and Balboa Island along with more restaurants and white sand beaches.

Golfing is available at Monarch Beach and Newport Beach as well as several courses in Orange County. Other activities include hiking, biking, tennis, racquetball, live theatre, cinemas, museums, surfing, boating, and much more.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
- If you used any apps (i.e. Netflix, etc.) please sign out
- Turn tab at bottom left of thermostat to the Off position
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Dana Point

Located in Monarch Beach, a neighbourhood in Dana Point, this condo is near theme parks and by the ocean. Dana Point Harbor and Pelican Hill Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Doheny State Beach and Crystal Cove State Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Laguna Niguel Regional Park Tennis Center, or consider a night out at La Ventura Event Center. Jet skiing, kayaking and snorkelling offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby.
Map
Dana Point, CA

What's nearby

  • Salt Creek Beach Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Dana Point Preserve - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Salt Creek Beach - 10 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Dana Strands Beach - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Monarch Beach Golf Links - 3 min drive - 3.0 km

Getting around

  • San Juan Capistrano Depot - 16 min drive
  • Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Truly Pizza - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Young’s Beach Shack - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Bear Coast Coffee - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Chart House Restaurant - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!!?

As of 1 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!! on 15 December 2026 start from NZ$201, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming Beach Cottage! Remodeled, Steps to Strands Beach, Relax and Enjoy!!! located?

Located in Monarch Beach, this condo building is within a 10-minute walk of Salt Creek Beach Park and Dana Point Preserve. Dana Strands Beach and Baby Beach are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 33 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Phillip S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were familiar with Dana Point and the location was great - hard to beat. Amenities were fine.
Stayed 41 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Raymond C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet location

Perfect to relax
Stayed 66 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay -

The condo was clean and sufficiently stocked. A bonus was a full sized washer and dryer. Lots of great places to walk. Being near Dana Point Harbor was a plus! We thoroughly enjoyed our six week stay.
Stayed 42 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Raf W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice condo, great location!

Mike's place was great. It is spacious and very well located. The parking spot in front of the door was very convenient. The kitchen is well equipped. Mike gave us all the information we needed about the place, the pool area, beach access, and events happening during our stay. We stayed for 1 month and had a great time. Hope to be back next year. Thanks Mike!
Stayed 31 nights in Jul 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

Great location and very attentive owner

Property location to beach park was spectacular. Condo is very good size for a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom. Complex is well maintained. Owner was very responsive to calls and text messages concerning aspects of the stay. Condo is 35 years old (built in 1982) and although furnished and appointed well, the age of the interior could use updating and refreshing. Overall a most pleasant and enjoyable experience.
Stayed 30 nights in Sep 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Apartment.

If you like the beach it’s right in front of you . Great location and easy access to Dana Point Harbor
Stayed 31 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robyn P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Good walkable location in a nice neighborhood.
Stayed 47 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Noreen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location

Location, location, location. Just a very short walk through the condo parking lot to the park across the street with amazing ocean views. Enjoyable park for walking. Very nice neighborhoods. Restaurants, coffee, Ralph's grocery store within a mile. The condo has plenty of room.
Stayed 30 nights in Nov 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

paul j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outstanding location

Perfect condo for couple or small family. Ideally located in an exclusive area of Dana Point with immediate beach access, close to many restaurants, hiking, golf and other attractions.
Stayed 30 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Michael S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A fantastic location

A nice, quiet condo just minutes from Strands beach. Most amenities in the condo are fine (bedding, kitchen, tv), but owner should take an extra step up with cleanliness of kitchen cabinets, oven, carpet, and floors.
Stayed 30 nights in Jan 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Abby B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location, great spot

For the price, I don't think anything could be better! We loved our stay at Niguel Beach Terrace. Mike has thought of everything, and there were tons of extras we appreciated, like beach chairs, endless amount of beach towels, umbrella, toys for kids. Super helpful that there is in-unit laundry, key code door entry so we didn't need extra sets of keys, and we loved the patio for a quite afternoon reading in a secluded spot. The entire complex is very quiet, which we loved too. Only caveat (which really wasn't an issue for us), is that the age of the property shows. There are other listings in Niguel Beach Terrace that cost more and have been recently updated. So, choose what matters to you and get yourself down to Strands!
Stayed 61 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wendy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet spot in Dana Point

This little spot is a gem. It's a quiet area of the condo complex. It's close to everything in Dana Point & the surrounding areas--easy access to major highways. And across the street from Salt Creek Beach Park... beautiful area to walk & see the sunrise/sunset... The owner, Mike, is quick to respond and pleasant to work w/. I've stayed at this unit before so it's become like my 'home away from home'. Has everything one needs including fast internet service (so working while I was there was not an issue), washing machine & dryer & all the comforts of home. I highly recommend staying here if you are coming to the area..
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet corner of complex with very close ocean access

I spent almost two months of a "working vacation" at this property before relocating to the area. This unit is in a very quiet back part of the condo complex, and the parking space is right outside your door (super easy unloading/loading). I ended up loving this area so much that I relocated here to another unit in the front part of the complex which has a lot more noise. The unit had everything I needed for my stay, was close to stores/restaurants, and was within walking distance of restaurants/coffee shops. The ocean is across the street (just outside the complex), down stairs or the funicular. The beach area was perfect for a morning walk (there are a lot of trail options in Orange County). The owner provided all information ahead of time and was responsive throughout my stay. I would stay here again if/when I move out of the complex. Thank you, Mike!
Stayed 55 nights in Apr 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda R.

Amazing condo with all you need right at the beach

My husband and I had a wonderful time at Mike’s condo, we were sad to leave :( Mike was very easy to reach and responded immediately to any question we had. The condo is so spacious we couldn’t believe it and it has so much storage which made moving in and unpacking easy! The location is more than AMAZING! Its walking distance to the beach so going for a morning or evening walk or run was so wonderful! And its walking distance to all the restaurants in town which was one of the best parts!! We will definetely be back!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wendy W.

Quaint and Cozy home

I spent several weeks at Mike's condo and it was awesome. It is a quaint, cozy & warm home in a quiet part of the complex...and the bonus--parking was within 'steps of the unit' (awesome!!). There was plenty of space (drawers, cabinets, closets) to spread out my stuff. The decor is 'simple elegance'... The kitchen had all the appliances, utensils, pots/pans, dishes, etc. that one would need... The internet had good service--I was able to work from the condo without any issues.. TV was a large screen TV-- perfect for viewing... The bed was very comfortable. The bathroom was clean & had enough space on the counter (as well as drawers) to put things.. It was great to have a washer/dryer right there in the condo... Across the street was Salt Creek Beach which had amazing sunsets... enjoyed those almost every night... The pool & Jacuzzi are very nice as well... If you're looking for a place to rest your 'bones' after a long day in LA or San Diego or at the beach or just around Dana Point or Laguna...look no further --- Mike's condo is the perfect spot.
Archival

8/10 Good

Walter N.

Very good

Thanks again for the use of the condo ,We enjoyed the location walk over to the beach and enjoyed the sunsets .We also like the closeness to Dana Point and Laguna Beach. The place ws clean and tidy with all the necessary linens. And kitchen stocked well the necessary I em to cook and with.
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2016
Archival

8/10 Good

Sameer K.

cozy, clean and lovely condo

We stayed here for 6 months in Nov 2016 and found this place to be amazing. The condo was clean with all the amenities. The only nuance was the very poor to non-existent network signal for cell phone (Tmobile). The furnishing was adequate, however would have preferred to have a TV in bedroom and a loveseat/small couch in the living room. Will definitely come back here again.
Stayed 46 nights in Oct 2015
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jaime R.

Great Place

I spent six weeks staying at Mike's condo and I had a great time. The condo is very quiet, has everything that you might need, has great internet service, and a very comfortable bed. It is located right accross from Doheny beach and a couple of blocks from Salt Creek beach, which are two of my favourite beaches in SoCal. Dana Point is a great town half way between Los Angeles and San Diego, so you never run out of things to do. The process of renting the condo couldn't have been easier and I got my security deposit back right away. I look forward to renting this condo again in the future.
Archival

2/10 Terrible

Jay K.

needs owner's attention

Number of pieces of furniture 10, including a dining table, 4 dining chairs, a sofa, a recliner and a bed. No tea table. Quality? THE loeest and cheapest. Rugs are not clean at all. The vacuum cleaner did not work. I asked the owner to replace it. His answer was, "I have no money." After a series of my cmplaints he brought a used one to replace the one out of order. This house is most poorly furnished. It is as if the owner charges at the same rate as his neighbors which atr far better furnished. This house cannot be recommended.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Ruth T.

Great Holiday Get Away

Great location to experience the attractions of Southern Calif. Good walking trails, restaurants available within walking distance. The unit is 2 blocks from the beach on the ground floor with a parking spot about 10 steps from the front door. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the place, how well stocked it was, and how quiet the neighborhood was. I would definitely rent it again.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jennie Q.

Awesome Vacation!

We loved staying here! Clean, comfortable, well equipped living space. Great dinners at Salt Creek Grille, and maybe too many tacos. The Strand is a gorgeous beach, great swimming, beautiful sunsets. We could walk there, and the steps just helped with those tacos! One if us is a surfer, and we could also walk to Salt Creek! And it was fun to check our some other surf breaks, and taco shops... Mike makes it all so easy. We will come back.
Archival

8/10 Good

Susan L.

Perfect for family fun

We had a GREAT time staying at this condo--it perfectly fit the needs our our family of three. Nothing too fancy pants, which is perfect when traveling with a 3 year-old, and an absolutely fabulous location. The walk to the beach was lovely (great views and beautiful sunsets) and proved to be quite fun for our little guy (pretty mosaic pictures and cool little star fish sculptures). It was fantastic to have beach towels, chairs and basic sand toys on hand as well as a huge washer and drier right there. It was super easy to set up this stay and Mike was quick to respond to a few questions I had. We received our deposit back promptly. We got a great bang for our buck and we would stay here again at the drop of a hat. The beach equipment and handful of sand toys on hand made it
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

Great Week at this condo

I came out from TX to see friends and family and enjoyed my stay at the condo very much. The location is perfect to get to and from Dana Point and Laguna Beach where there is so much to do. The beach was absolutely wonderful and the pool was a nice treat. Thank you Mike for making the process very simple and professional. I received my deposit back in record time. This is a perfect little condo to rest and enjoy.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Linda G.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

We really enjoyed our month long stay at this condo. We settled in just like in our own home. The area is safe and quiet. Except for the first unseasonably warm week during our stay, open windows and doors kept us very comfortable. The location is ideal for viewing the beach. There are many steps to the beach however. And the funicular wasn't running most of the time we were there. But just one exit down on Pacific Coast Highway at the Salt Creek Park the descent to the beach is much easier. Mike made it very easy to reserve and refunded our deposit quickly after leaving. Dana Point has many attractions and restaurants within a very short drive.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Matthew L.

Ideal spot for a couple!

My wife and I had a month to work from "home" wherever we wanted. We came to Dana Point looking for a comfortable place to work, nice weather, etc. This place was perfect. We couldn't have envisioned a better trip. The bed is comfortable, the kitchen is functional, the place is clean. And the location is amazing. We often walked down to the city or harbor for meals (go to Stacks for breakfast!). The ocean at nearly all times and the weather was typical southern California perfect. We will seriously consider going back in the future. The process of obtaining the unit, check-in and check-out was very smooth. Using the online rental payment system through VRBO gives you a nice piece of mind.

About the host

Hosted by Mike

Host profile image
I am the original owner and lived in the condo until my job took me to San Diego. Since then my wife, kids, and I have enjoyed staying there for vacations as well as having other family members stay at our beach getaway. We have had such great memories there that we recently decided to open it up to vacationers so that you can also experience the peace and tranquility of Monarch Beach.

Why they chose this property

I used to drive down from Los Angeles to go surfing at Salt Creek Beach as a teenager. It was so relaxing and I felt like I had traveled to a far off beach in another country. When the complex was built I decided to purchase and move there and my dreams came true!

What makes this property unique

Monarch Beach is the most beautiful and unique beach in Southern California. You will be just steps away from the beach and there are several miles of hiking in the Headlands area. You will enjoy a combination of peace and tranquility along the beaches and bluffs along with the flexibility of going shopping, sight seeing, easy going or fine dining, and a glass of wine at sunset!
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