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How would you rank the California Coastal Resorts II

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  • How would you rank the California Coastal Resorts II

    Ok.....time for some updated opinions.

    How would you rank the California Coastal Resorts that you have seen or toured or stayed at? Criteria - say you get the run of the house 1, 2 or 3 BR. Now we may need more criteria for this but just doing this off the top of my head to start some discussion.....I reserve the right to change my mind. I know there are more but these are all that I have really seen to be able to make any real judgement.

    Four Seasons Resort Club Aviara - nice, really nice. No Ocean views is the only knock at this place.

    Marriott Newport Coast Villas - nice as most Marriotts usually are, wish it was closer to beaches.

    Wave Crest - have you ever seen the oceanfront 2 bedrooms at this place, great location near a park and the beach, lots of ocean views, small and charming.

    Carlsbad Inn - really depends on unit, would prefer the larger 1 BR corner with 2 balconys. Great location downtown and close to beach.

    So. Cal. Beach Club - this place has great location, and it has had a rebirth from a complete refurbushment which is almost done. It does need a pool.

    Carlsbad Seapointe Resort - a little isolated which is preferred by some and it is nice for families. Refubing all the rooms now. State campground and beach accross the street is nice when the storms have not washed away the sand.

    Laguna Surf - great town and beach, units too small for my liking but acceptable. Definately a top 5 with the ocean side units....forget it with the busy PCH street side units.

    Grand Pacific Palisades - 3 bedroom units are all ocean view and nice especially with flower fields. Plus those 2 bedrooms with all the windows with ocean view really nice. Wish it was closer to the beach but is a nice resort.

    Tamarack Beach Resort - nice place, just that darn busy street. I Like the washer and dryer in unit and the size of the units. The grounds (what little there are) are very cramped.

    San Luis Bay Inn - I like the place but have always been in a studio which my wife does not like because they are a little dark and cramped. Great views from the Sunterra wings and nice units larger than the studios.

    Coronado Beach Resort - nice place, but kind of small, no pool, and ocean unswimmable due to pollution but great for long walks.

    Blue Whale - nice job of refurbishing this place, needs a pool, right on the beach is huge plus.

    Aquamarine Villas - your standard condo project one block from the beach. The beach here has eroded due to surf....it is better further north.

    Winner's Circle - have stayed there before, nothing special, but they have done some refurbishing lately and changed the entrance and will be changing the activities and pool area.

    Riviera Beach and Spa Resort - busy street, small pools, polluted beach

    San Clemente Inn - unremarkable.

    Sand Pebbles - not impressed, squeezed between busy streets it is basically a motel type conversion.


    I have not closely seen the following: San Clemente Cove, Capri by the Sea, Harbortown, Pine Acres Lodge, Villa L’Auberge, Mandalay Shores, Worldmark Oceanside, Gaslamp Plaza Suites, and a few others I am sure.
    "If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.... If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."
    -- Thomas Jefferson to Col. Yancey, 1816

  • #2
    I stayed at Laguna Shores back in 1993. As you said, the unit was pretty small but it was so close to the beach and it was an easy drive to go up to Disneyland, Knots Berry Farm, etc. It has been too long for me to remember a lot of specifics except that I remember the climate on the 4th of July week was great.

    Not a place I would try to go with a family as I remember the place being little more then a Studio with a very small kitchen but for our Honeymoon it was a nice place to stay in Southern California.

    http://www.timeshareforums.com/resor...wdetails&l=700

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    • #3
      Laguna shores is different than Laguna Surf.. I'd say Laguna Surf is a much better resort.

      John.. I though you were a beach nut like me? You'd rather stay at Marriott or 4 Seasons and have to drive to the beach?

      Most of your order is pretty much what I would choose.. I'll have to think about it some more.

      Comment


      • #4
        Riviera Beach and Spa Resort - busy street, small pools, polluted beach
        There are 2 pools one very small, the other reasonably sized and has never been crowed in our six visits. Busy street- yes, Trains- yes, but right across from the beach so excellant views. Polluted beach- maybe, I'd swim in the pool and take long walks along the beach.

        Hope that helps
        Bill

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        • #5
          It is too bad about the ocean pollution there.....this used to be one of my favorite beach areas...but because of that creek that dumps right there on the beach it get some of the worst pollution scores in Orange County.

          Some people love the place....and that is fine by me...it does have its good points.

          Originally posted by Bill4728
          There are 2 pools one very small, the other reasonably sized and has never been crowed in our six visits. Busy street- yes, Trains- yes, but right across from the beach so excellant views. Polluted beach- maybe, I'd swim in the pool and take long walks along the beach.

          Hope that helps
          "If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.... If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."
          -- Thomas Jefferson to Col. Yancey, 1816

          Comment


          • #6
            It has been a few years since I have been to any of these, but here is what I remember.

            San Clemente Cove-The location is great, across the street from the pier and a large sandy beach. The beach has shelters and bar-b-ques. There are several restaurants right outside the resort. The resort has good underground parking, but no grounds. It has no pool, but it does have a spa on the roof. We stayed in a one bedroom. It had a balcony that you could see the beach from if you stood at the rail. The unit was OK, except that it had the hardest bed I have ever encountered. The unit slept 4, but only had room for 3 chairs at the dining table.

            Harbortown-We had a 2 bedroom here, the second bedroom is actually divided from the living room by a half wall and a curtain. There were 3 adults and 3 kids. We were comfortable in the unit. We had a nice large balcony over looking the canal that is an entrance to the little harbor. It is nice to sit there and watch the boats come and go. It looked like there were lots of units that did not have a harbor view. I remember that the pool was nice, very small grounds. They have bicycles, but you pretty much have to drive for any activities or to get to a beach.

            Casa de la Playa-This is in La Jolla. I think it is a converted apartment building. It is very small. There is no on site parking, only street parking. During the summer I imagine that could be hard to come by. It is situated in a residential neighborhood. It is across the street from the ocean, but not a swimming beach. A great walking area! The lawn and landscaping is well manicured. It has a nice spa but no pool. We stayed in a studio. It had a great bathroom and kitchen. It had a very comfortable murphy bed, so the living area was adequate too with the bed up. It has one an two bedrooms also. We got it as a $99 rental from HTSE on February. I would go back there in a minute!

            Comment


            • #7
              I would put Mandalay Shores up with Carlsbad Seapointe. It's in a quiet neighborhood, one-half block from a long, uncrowded beach. The units are nicely sized and furnished. The resort is small - 7 units total.

              I consider MS to be a true hidden gem. Being small and in a residential area, there's not a lot of activity. But it is a wonderful place for a nice quiet stay at the beach.
              “Maybe you shouldn't dress like that.”

              “This is a blouse and skirt. I don't know what you're talking about.”

              “You shouldn't wear that body.”

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by CaliDave
                Laguna shores is different than Laguna Surf.. I'd say Laguna Surf is a much better resort.

                John.. I though you were a beach nut like me? You'd rather stay at Marriott or 4 Seasons and have to drive to the beach?

                Most of your order is pretty much what I would choose.. I'll have to think about it some more.
                Yea, I see you are correct and it looks like we are missing Laguna Surf (#0985) in the database... I know we stayed at laguna and we were about a block or two off the beach (easy walk). I am not so clear on the name of the resort now?

                I will try to remember to add this other resort this weekend if I can remember.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Quarterbore
                  Yea, I see you are correct and it looks like we are missing Laguna Surf (#0985) in the database... I know we stayed at laguna and we were about a block or two off the beach (easy walk). I am not so clear on the name of the resort now?

                  I will try to remember to add this other resort this weekend if I can remember.

                  Done. I just added it.
                  Lawren
                  ------------------------
                  There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of my horse.
                  - Rolf Kopfle

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Quarterbore
                    Yea, I see you are correct and it looks like we are missing Laguna Surf (#0985) in the database... I know we stayed at laguna and we were about a block or two off the beach (easy walk). I am not so clear on the name of the resort now?

                    I will try to remember to add this other resort this weekend if I can remember.
                    I think you are right.. you stayed at Laguna Shores.. they are off the beach and Laguna Surf is on the beach.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I'll give my top 13.. since I doubt I would ever have a reason to stay at the others unless it was a last call week or something really cheap.
                      My critera will be different than others.
                      I love being on the beach with fantastic whitewater views. I like clean comfortable places, luxury is not a big deal to me.

                      Laguna Surf -oceanfront unit only, the only problem is.. they are very strict on occupancy of 4.. I have 5
                      So. Cal. Beach Club -oceanfront unit only.. cant get any closer to the sand.
                      Wave Crest - love the area
                      Carlsbad Inn -great village, good location, very nice resort
                      Carlsbad Seapointe Resort - lots of amenities, worth the long walk to the beach
                      Blue Whale - same as So Cal Beach club.. but not as nice
                      San Clemente Cove -
                      great location, small rooms, near RR tracks, best for couples.
                      4 Season Pacifica in San Clemente
                      - close to ocean, great views, huge rooms..
                      Four Seasons Resort Club Aviara - luxury, but too far from the ocean
                      Marriott Newport Coast Villas - I love Newport.. great resort.. to far from beach
                      Tamarack Beach Resort - busy street, nice views.. would rather stay at Carlsbad Inn for a similar location
                      Coronado Beach Resort - lots to do in the area. good for exploring San Diego
                      Grand Pacific Palisades - great grounds, great pools, walk to legoland.. perfect for small kids.. too far from beach

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I just ranked them at the top because they are so nice and luxurious.....I would rank them differently if it was where I was going to stay. For example, even though I rank Laguna Surf so high I would not stay there....it is too close to home for me I could just drive to the beach. When on vacation I want to get away....at least an hour away LOL. I would not stay at the Newport Marriott for the same reason. If the criteria is changed to where I would stay then my ranking would be different for sure.

                        Originally posted by CaliDave
                        John.. I though you were a beach nut like me? You'd rather stay at Marriott or 4 Seasons and have to drive to the beach?

                        Most of your order is pretty much what I would choose.. I'll have to think about it some more.
                        "If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.... If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."
                        -- Thomas Jefferson to Col. Yancey, 1816

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by 4ARedOctober
                          I. When on vacation I want to get away....at least an hour away LOL. I would not stay at the Newport Marriott for the same reason. If the criteria is changed to where I would stay then my ranking would be different for sure.
                          Yeah I understand.. its the same reason I won't vacation at the ever popular Inn at Silver Lakes

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Silver Lakes has a beach doesn't it???....should we make it a coastal resort?

                            Good old Glenn Ivy had a hand in that one I am pretty sure......they tried to sell snow to eskimos too.

                            Originally posted by CaliDave
                            Yeah I understand.. its the same reason I won't vacation at the ever popular Inn at Silver Lakes
                            "If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.... If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."
                            -- Thomas Jefferson to Col. Yancey, 1816

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by 4ARedOctober
                              I just ranked them at the top because they are so nice and luxurious.....I would rank them differently if it was where I was going to stay. For example, even though I rank Laguna Surf so high I would not stay there....it is too close to home for me I could just drive to the beach. When on vacation I want to get away....at least an hour away LOL. I would not stay at the Newport Marriott for the same reason. If the criteria is changed to where I would stay then my ranking would be different for sure.
                              John, we may live even closer to Laguna Beach than you but we love having our vacation there as it feels like being far away. It is wonderful getting up in the morning and stepping out on the balcony and seeing the ocean and listening to the surf. Very different from being at home! It is also nice hanging around during the day or taking walks on the beach or going to town but coming back again to have "happy hour" on the balcony and watch the sun set with friends. We like it even more because it is so close to home!

                              Dave, it is true that the resort is very strict about the limit of four people in the units. They claim that it is a requirement of the fire department and the units are very small so more than four people would be way too crowded. There is a fine and they will ask the extra person to leave, if they find out. I would not chance it.

                              How can you not like this little resort? See pictures here or here is an example.

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