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 lights. A beautiful Christmas tree stood near the Beachcomber restaurant (great tomato soup with pastry top). Giant candy canes were fixed to a turquoise shack. Wonderful photo opportunities. This was my second stay in Cottage 32, which has the capacity to sleep 9 people. The first night I stayed with just my husband (delightful for two people). The next two nights I had my grandson and a friend. Both eighth graders, it was hard for them to be unplugged. There are no TVs or phones, though our cell phones worked. We refused to buy the boys online time for their IPods. They read, saw the tidepools (which are fantastic -such gorgeous rocks), and we played Clue. They had hamburgers and fries for just about every meal. The Shake Shack was just above our cottage. It is now a Ruby's and offers a large selection of hamburgers, sandwiches and shakes. Stairs take you right up there.

Cottage 32 is accessed by stairs and is set back a bit, half behind Cottage 1 (which is directly on the beach). But, the view is great; There are two chairs and a small table on the smallish front porch and a back patio with a picnic table and adirondack chairs. The kitchen is pretty large, with lots of storage and has a vintage style, but modern function, fridge and freezer, a microwave and a toaster. They give you paper plates and plastic silverware. We brought an electric teapot and a dual burner electric range. We cooked pasta and we made eggs, so the electric range was useful. There was a spot on the patio for a propane bar-b-q.

The cottage has two bedrooms, one with two sets of bunk beds, a two drawer dresser, and an antique vanity. The other bedroom serves as the master with mostly white wicker furniture and a double bed. You can see the ocean from this room if you are standing up. The bed is excellent, as were the bunk beds. There is one bathroom, toilet, eink, and shower, and a door to the patio - yes, you go through the bathroom to get to the patio (it was never a problem).

The living room is spacious - a large wooden dining table with two benches (also a smaller vintage table in the kitchen) - a green, braided rug on wood floors with pine paneling. There is a pullout sofa, which we did not use, a white wicker chair, a collection of older books on a bookshelf, and the best thing in the cottage - a day bed placed in the partially enclosed porch so it is part of the living room, but in it's own, defined space. There is a night stand and light by the bed. From the day bed you have a view on three sides - up and down the beach, the bluffs, and the ocean. You can see the waves clearly and hear them fine. This is my space. I love sleeping there. My husband gets the master bedroom since the full size bed is a bit small for us - so I get one of the prettiest, dreamiest places in the world. My grandson fell asleep on the day bed in the sunlight. I had to kick him off. Seriously - this spot is terrific.

We really like the ample room this cottage affords. It never seems crowded. We love not having a TV. We talked, laughed, played games, walked on the beach, re-connected. We loved cooking in the kitchen. We enjoyed the Shake Shack with all the view tables.

We had perfect weather - mid seventies in the day, forties at night - so we used heaters.

The best way to get a cottage at Crystal Cove is to frequent the site at reserveamerica.com and watch for cancellations. I have stayed there several times by doing this. Everything is preserved as though we were in the 1940's. It is simply wonderful. You won't get beachfront accommodations like this for this price anywhere else.

Have fun.

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 in time a bit, slow down, and enjoy the simple pleasures of living right next to the beach. As much as this is a trip to a special place, it's also a journey to a different time, when you don't mind cracked tile and warped floors and mismatched furniture, because that's part of its charm. I live 20 miles up the coast but still come here because there's nowhere else you can capture this sense. It reminds me of visiting the cottage of friends on Cape Cod when I was growing up. It's funny that it takes such a setting to inspire me to catch up on reading and playing card games. The highlight of last evening was a rousing game of Apples to Apples, then falling asleep to the sound of waves.

On this visit we lucked out in many ways. The weather, originally forecasting rain after this week's crazy Santa Ana winds, instead brought us breezes and abundant sunshine. We also had managed to score the elusive Sand Castle cottage, #16. I can see why it is so popular - it's instantly one of my favorites. We have 4 staying here, but it can sleep up to 7. The two bedrooms each have a full bed (yes you read that right, so prepare to be cozy). They don't advertise the little alcove next to the entry way where you can set up the rollaway bed, but it really works nicely. Then, there is the sofa bed in the living room, which we didn't need.

This particular cottage has a good sized kitchen with a large dining table. You could seriously have thanksgiving dinner for 8 if you can make do with the microwave, an outdoor propane BBQ (you supply) and your own electric appliances, because the stoves here are for decoration only. The two bar stools by the kitchen peninsula were nice for enjoying coffee while the waffles were cooking. Be warned that this cottage has a trick shower - the shower head faces the door and aims straight out. So you have to get in and close the door and somehow stay out of the icy blast. It's that, or create a large puddle of water on the floor that will then migrate out to the entryway. Just remember, it's part of the charm.

I love the ambiance of the Beachcomber and the food is decent - but as others have noted, it can be pricey. Still, where else can you have such a dining experience? But there are also alternatives in easy walking distance  - just out of site up the bluff are several nice restaurants in the promenade mall. There's also Trader Joes for those who want to "eat in" - and when you have your own picnic table on a deck overlooking the Pacific, the latter option is quite appealing indeed.

But the best way in which we lucked out? This weekend was the lighting of the Crystal Cove tree! We were steps away from the carolers - and Santa!  The whole area has a festive holiday mood. And we've been able to take it all in from out private deck.

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 the world to book I’m doing it. We arrive on Saturday around 3 and were able to check in early – Catherine was at the front desk and more than accommodating and very informative, she works her …..off; even took a picture of us out on the deck at check out. We had rented a “dorm” style cottage and my better half was less than thrilled about that but it turned out to be really ok. It was clean there were plenty of linens the privacy was great because we did have our own bathroom. Don’t get me wrong its linoleum and old plumbing but it’s nostalgic and I liked it. We didn’t use the “community” kitchen or living room much because we were there for such a short time, we took a cooler with a few snacks and drinks and pretty much stayed at the beach. What you are there for is the view and experience and for this I give it a 5. There are no TV’s or radios or any of that you are beach “camping” so be prepared. The beachcomber & Ruby’s are the only walking distance restaurants and bars and although we didn’t visit Ruby’s the Beachcomber was great and Ricardo was FABULOUS! We were in the Long Board Cabin #29A and the patio/deck is fabulous it would be great to reserve both sides and have a family gathering. We had a good time although my sports fanatic California native better half most likely won’t return unless we have television. I loved it – walking on the beach at night sleeping with the waves crashing in – it was great!

...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 the difficulties associated with dealing with ReserveAmerica to compete for the few spaces that are available six months ahead.

If you are a first-timer, and you luck into a reservation, make sure you read all the fine print at ReserveAmerica and on the Crystal Cove website: http://www.crystalcovebeachcottages.com/html/index.php so you know what is included and what the rules are - and they are enforced. For instance, you will have a kitchen, but the stove is just for decoration. You can cook in the microwave or bring your own crock pot or electric skillet. Or you can walk across the beach to the excellent Beachcomber (either reserve ahead at Open Table or put your name in early for a table) and let them do the cooking. The Shake Shack is a good choice for breakfast and lunch - because once we get to Crystal Cove, we never want to leave for meals!