St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort

Just south of Laguna Beach, and about 20 minutes from SNA (John Wayne Airport) three world class hotel resorts dot the Pacific coast. In south Laguna, the Montage resort features classic California Craftsman cottage-style bungalows in a first class setting cascading down to the beach. Further south the community of Monarch Beach, sports both the Ritz Carlton and the St. Regis. At John Wayne, make rental car or pick up service arrangements through Signature Flight Support or Atlantic Aviation.

We have stayed at the St. Regis a number of times and can recommend the Spa Gaucin as well as the fine dining restaurant called Motif. Probably the best kept secret, however is the private Monarch Beach Club. Not only can you get all beachside towel, chair and cocktail services, but a spectacular restaurant and bar overlook one of the finest semi-private beaches in Southern California. Make reservations early in your stay and arrive early for dinner in order to enjoy the view from the cocktail lounge. In addition to surfers and dolphin, the scenery includes migrating humpback whales in March and in September. It may be the cocktails, but we have personally seen the elusive sunset "green flash" twice while sitting at the Beach Club Bar.

As you would expect, the resorts are pricey and the service at the St. Regis is showing some cracks although the property is holding up better than the older Ritz just across the Pacific Coast Highway. Also, they are still building resort villas all around the St. Regis, so the scenery and noise level are temporarily impacted.