| Price: $$+ For: All Cleanliness: 5/5 Comfort: 5/5 Recommended: Yes |
Features: Only steps away from the beach, full kitchen, condo-like rooms, parking included in resort fee, bikes/boogie boards/beach equipment available to borrow Links: Official site |
Last week, my family and I needed to head down to southern California (6- to 8-hour drive) for work. It was only a two-day event so we decided to extend our trip by a few days and make it a mini vacation. We also wanted to combine our trip to visit some family that lived in the area. The place we stayed in while in Lake Tahoe is managed by the same company so I had high expectations for Southern California Beach Club. It did not disappoint!
Southern California Beach Club Review — Getting There
When we pulled up to the Southern California Beach Club, we were shocked to see just how close it was to the ocean. A one-way, one-lane road separated the resort from the sandy beach with rolling waves coming in. It was awesome! And, the Oceanside Pier was only a short walk away (although we didn’t have time to go there). If you visit the coast and want a room right by the ocean, then you can’t get much closer than the rooms here!
We also didn’t realize that the entrance was on the other side of the building. Make sure you pull up to the front door on South Pacific street. Do not drive down the hill and onto the road by the ocean until you have checked in and have the code to unlock the parking gate. Otherwise, you will have to drive quite a way to get around the block again. I have no idea why our GPS sent us to the wrong spot. After that, check in went smoothly and we had our room keys within minutes.
Then we got back in the car so we could park in the garage. If you drive a wider vehicle, you might want to request a pass for street parking (waives the parking charges). The parking spaces are SUPER narrow and our compact SUV barely fit. We also had to stop our lift gate from opening all the way so it wouldn’t hit the ceiling.
Southern California Beach Club Review — Inside the Room
Our room was even nicer than we thought it would be. The one-bedroom was more like a condo than a hotel room. It was extremely clean and very spacious — two factors that score pretty high in my book. The property is a bit older but the room was remodeled nicely with laminate wood flooring and calm coastal colors. The open layout made the space feel even bigger. Even when we pulled the sofa bed out for Munchkin, we still had plenty of room to move around.
The full kitchen was stocked with dishware and cookware, making it easy to dine in or cook. I loved that we had a refrigerator complete with an actual freezer. When you’re traveling a long distance and have ice packs in your cooler, it’s nice to be able to re-freeze them for reuse during the rest of your trip. If you’re concerned about the funny-tasting southern California water, there’s a hot/cold dispenser next to the vending machine.
The queen bed in the bedroom was comfortable and the room was very quiet. Both Frans and I slept well. We also had a dedicated patio area just outside the sliding glass door. It wasn’t very private, though. Our room was on the second floor and faced the inner courtyard. That meant everyone walking by could see into room. So, we kept our shades closed most of the time.
The sink area (with TONS of counter space and a HUGE mirror) was situated separate from the shower and toilet. This makes it easier for several people to get ready at the same time. Only downside? The lighting in that section was horrible. It was so dark and the recessed lights made it hard to see anything. Imagine what it looks when someone shines a flashlight under their face, but in the opposite direction. Yeah, not the best situation for grooming or makeup. I do hope they fix that soon.
As this is mostly a timeshare property, you do not have daily housekeeping. Towels are replenished and garbage is only emptied once a week. But, the hotel staff is so accommodating that they would be happy to bring you extra towels if needed. There was no shampoo in our room so it was good that we brought our own. I’m not sure if that’s the norm or if it just wasn’t replaced after the last guest.
Southern California Beach Club Review — Reasons to Return
After settling in, we really regretted the fact that only planned to stay two nights. And, for most of that time, we were gone doing other activities. It was such a nice place! We tend to be a bit weary of some hotels and resorts because they don’t feel clean. That was not the case at Southern California Beach Club at all! Then there are the resort perks. In addition to the beachside location and weekly activities, the resort even loans out towels, beach chairs, surf boards, boogie boards, and beach cruiser bikes to guests. We could have easily stayed at least a week. Next time, we’ll have to plan more time enjoying this amazing resort!
My family and I were provided with complimentary accommodations. All opinions are my own.
