In the heart of Capistrano Beach, this 1975 beach house offers a nostalgic atmosphere and private deck. Unwind in one of three conversation clusters, including a raised living room with panoramic views. Enjoy two full baths and up to 9 beds across three bedrooms.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire apartment
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10
Popular amenities
Ocean view
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Whale Rock House (Beach Front, Downstairs)
********Dana Point STR Permit #02-7170 | Minimum Age: 25********
Step into a true Southern California beachfront experience—where vintage charm meets unbeatable oceanfront access. This one-of-a-kind retreat sits directly on the sand in Capistrano Beach, delivering the kind of stay guests remember for years.
Designed with a nostalgic 1970s beach vibe, the home blends retro character, comfort, and wide-open ocean views. It’s not just a place to stay—it’s a place to slow down, gather, and soak in the rhythm of the coast.
🏡 The Space
This fully private lower-level home features its own deck, three separate entrances, and multiple areas to relax, spread out, and connect.
Oceanfront deck with movable fire pit (yes—waves can reach the patio during extreme high tides 🌊) Three distinct living areas, perfect for large groups: Cozy TV lounge (seats 8) Elevated living room with panoramic ocean views (seats 8) Casual kitchen-side den (great for kids, seating for 5–7) Full kitchen + dining space designed for group meals and hangouts 🛏 Sleeping Arrangements Bedroom 1: King bed Bedroom 2: Queen bed Bedroom 3: Bunk room with 6 beds (3 bunks—perfect for kids or groups) 2 full bathrooms (front + rear of home)
Ideal for families, multi-family stays, or groups looking for a fun, laid-back beach basecamp.
🌅 What Makes This Place Special True beachfront living – no roads, no bluff—just sand Ever-changing shoreline: Low tide → wide, walkable beach for miles High tide → dramatic waves right at your deck Unmatched indoor-outdoor connection to the ocean A rare mix of privacy + proximity to everything 📍 Location
Perfectly positioned between two classic coastal towns:
1 mile south of Dana Point 2 miles north of San Clemente
Bike paths, beach trails, restaurants, and surf spots are all within easy reach. Electric and traditional bike rentals nearby make exploring effortless.
🚗 Community & Access Gated beachfront community with 24/7 security Maximum of 3 vehicles allowed (strict HOA rule) Driver names must be submitted prior to arrival for gate access Security will issue vehicle passes upon entry 🏠 Need More Space?
Traveling with a larger group? There is an optional upstairs unit (separate entrance) available June 1 – October 1, allowing for combined occupancy up to 16 guests.
⚠️ Important Notes This is a vintage beach home—full of character, not modernized luxury Ocean conditions vary—water shoes recommended during rocky tides Occasional high tides may reach the deck (part of the magic of this location) Situated 1 mile south of Dana Point and 2 miles north of San Clemente. Beyond the beach, you can explore the miles of cycling trails around and between each of the surrounding towns. For traditional and electric bike rentals, as well as locations of trails, be sure to check out the activity section. Enjoy a day of breathtaking views, relaxation, and exploration!
City of Dana Point Good Neighbor Policy (Required to post) WELCOME TO DANA POINT Dana Point is a world class destination and is known for its warm welcome of visitors while on vacation. NOISE: Be respectful of your neighbors and limit the noise coming from the property during the hours of 10:00 A.M.- 10:00 P.M. Quiet hours exist in town after 10:00 P.M.; please do not have any outside noise during that time. Fire pits: propane fire pits only. Wood fires not allowed.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach nearby
Internet
Available in the apartment: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car not required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Ice maker
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Entertainment
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Comfort
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
Near the marina
Near the ocean
On the waterfront
Things to do
Bicycles
Water sports equipment
Whale watching nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Situated 1 mile south of Dana Point and 2 miles north of San Clemente.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located on the waterfront, this apartment is in Capistrano Beach, a neighbourhood in Dana Point. Mission San Juan Capistrano and Los Rios Historic District are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Doheny State Beach and Crystal Cove State Park. Ocean Institute and Laguna Beach Paddle Boarding are also worth visiting. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including whale watching and wildlife walks. Visit our Dana Point travel guide
Is Whale Rock House (Beach Front, Downstairs) pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Whale Rock House (Beach Front, Downstairs)?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Whale Rock House (Beach Front, Downstairs)?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Whale Rock House (Beach Front, Downstairs)?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Whale Rock House (Beach Front, Downstairs) located?
Located in Capistrano Beach, this apartment building is within 1 mile (2 km) of Capistrano Beach Park and South Day Use Beach. Doheny State Beach and The Sea Caves are also within 2 miles (3 km).
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Whale Rock House (Beach Front, Downstairs) Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Great location, great house. I already miss the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach.
The host was great and very helpful.
We will be back. Watching the sunset every night was awesome. We loved this long weekend getaway.
Had an amazing experiences. Two families, 4 kids, 13-16.
Great location, firepit is great, being right on the beach is epic.
Host was easy to communicate with throughout and he had great recommendations for anything we needed.
This quaint beach cottage could not have been more perfect. We got to wake up and go to bed with the ocean waves each day. Enjoy a fire on the water and plenty of space for our family to stay comfortably. An extra bonus was a neighbor dog, “Tucker,” who came to visit us daily for some pets.
My son and his friends stayed for three nights. They reported that the property was “perfect” - great location, clean, loved the beach access. They also played golf while there and loved that the course was about 10 mins away. Christopher was excellent at communicating regarding check-in and any other questions we had. My son already wants to go back!
This was the perfect place for our family gathering. We all relaxed while enjoying the view. Some boogie boarded. Some flew a kite. We all took numerous walks on the beach. The house was well-equipped with everything we needed. It had various areas for conversation or to just relax. Good vibes.
Diane T.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
scott
21 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Classic California beach house on a legendary stretch of coast where our family hosted our daughters 17th. Plenty of cozy spaces to spread out. Incredible place to sleep with the crashing waves. Very safe and private neighborhood. A waterman and beach goers dream. Fully stocked kitchen and beach toys. Ocean front fire pit, grill and patio space. Already pondering our return. Host was fast and accommodating.
My husband and I and our 3 adult children had a wonderful stay. Plenty of room to spread out , a wonderful, peaceful vibe in the house and stunning views. The home was dated but we loved it! Had minimal feel but also felt like home and we were able to relax and enjoy in a special way. We had an amazing time. Shared some good meals and smores on outdoor fire pit. The bathrooms were spacious and the home exceeded all our hopes. So grateful for this family experience together.
The best part of this stay is the location. You will feel like you are getting away from it all even though restaurants and groceries are minutes away along with excursions out of Dana Point Harbor. The property opens up to a patio that is right on the beach with a fire pit to enjoy the sound of waves and cool evenings. The kitchen is little small but there is room for dining and gathering in the two communal spaces along with another small living room off the kitchen. The bathrooms are clean, one older and one updated. The bath linens are amazing and they even include toiletries like shampoo and conditioner. The two queen bedrooms are small but nice. The bunk bed room is perfect for a large group to have 6 beds.
This is a truly amazing place. The owner was very cool, the parking was a breeze the house was just perfect the location couldn’t be better. I will absolutely book this house again.
It was great to stay with such proximity to the beach. The hosts were very responsive and asked us if there was anything we needed during our week-long stay. Home is a little dated and the kitchen is very small, but none of that mattered for our stay. We were very comfortable and had a great time.
Great property and location, great overall rental. Clear instructions for all access and friendly communication. An awesome firepit was provided along with fire wood, but apparently the neighborhood takes issue with its use, so that was the only hiccup. Would stay again.
Great location, wonderful neighborhood and close to shopping and amenities. Parking was on site. Property could use some updating, but our kids made good use of the boogie boards and surf boards. Felt like a private beach. We had a great time.
The house is precisely as described and depicted in the photos. Located on a private beach on a guard gated road between Dana Point Harbor and San Clemente, Whale Rock is a great place to relax and unwind.
Great Stay. Chris is a great host. We had a problem with the fridge and Chris responded within minutes of my message. He took great care of the situation and I look forward in coming back again.
Thank you Chris!
Mary
This house, although vintage from the 70's, was more than we expected. It is kept up quite nicely, extremely clean, and all the comforts of home are there for you. Dana Point on the beach is amazing. This is the third home we have stayed in. The mattresses on the beds were great, the kitchen although small for more than two people at a time, had everything you needed and it was so organized. We didn't use the back bedroom but it had 6 bunk beds. The patio with the waves and views are amazing. Although there were only 2 of us, there is plenty of seating area for a large group. Only two bathrooms. We will come again