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El Caminante Bar & Bungalows

4.0 star property
Coastal retreat offers oceanside coffee sipping and nature reserve hiking, with beachfront relaxation and outdoor adventures just steps away

Choose dates to view prices

Travelers find balance at El Caminante Bar & Bungalows, an upscale beachside spot in Capistrano Beach. The on-site coffee shop, bar, and restaurant offer relaxation, while nearby hiking and biking trails keep visitors active. Guests can borrow bodyboarding equipment for the waves.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Bar

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Room options

Ocean View King with Balcony

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Ocean View King ADA Accessible with Patio & Chiminea

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Ocean View King

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Hacienda Suite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

El Camino Suite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
2 bedrooms
Premium bedding
Pillowtop bed
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Patio (Ocean, chiminea)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Premium bedding
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About the neighborhood

Located on the beach, El Caminante Bar & Bungalows is in Capistrano Beach, a neighborhood in Dana Point. Mission San Juan Capistrano and The Coach House are cultural highlights, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Avenida del Mar and The Shops at Mission Viejo. Ocean Institute and Laguna Beach Paddle Boarding are also worth visiting. With kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water. Visit our Dana Point travel guide
Map
92624, CA, Dana Point, 34862 Pacific Coast Hwy

What's nearby

  • View of the coastline at Dana Point in California
    Capistrano Beach Park
    7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Doheny Beach
    Doheny State Beach
    18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • South Day Use Beach
    2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Pines Park
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Poche Beach
    5 min walk - 0.5 km

Getting around

  • San Juan Capistrano Depot
    14 min drive
  • John Wayne Airport (SNA)
    35 min drive

Restaurants

  • Doho Cafe
    4 min drive
  • Better Buzz
    4 min drive
  • A's Burgers
    2 min drive
  • Sunsets Bar & Grill
    3 min walk
  • The Habit Burger Grill
    5 min drive

About this property

El Caminante Bar & Bungalows

Upscale hotel near Dana Point Harbor
A coffee shop/cafe, a bar, and a restaurant are just a few of the amenities provided at El Caminante Bar & Bungalows. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location and sun loungers. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Additional perks include:
  • Free self parking
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge), free bicycle rentals, and a bodyboard on site
  • Beach umbrellas, smoke-free premises, and beach towels
Room features
All guestrooms at El Caminante Bar & Bungalows feature perks such as premium bedding and air conditioning, as well as amenities like free WiFi and bathrobes.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Showers and free toiletries
  • 47-inch flat-screen TVs with digital channels
  • Wardrobes/closets, refrigerators, and microwaves

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free 24-hour offsite parking
  • Street parking available
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM for a fee: USD 10 to 25 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • El Caminante Bar

Things to do

  • Bodyboard
  • Free bicycle rentals
  • Hiking/biking trails

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Guidebooks

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Beach umbrellas
  • In a nature reserve
  • On the beach

Spa

  • In-room massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 2 accessible parking spaces
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Grab bar near toilet (33 inches high)
  • Tile flooring in room
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • 2 floors
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 47-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Resort fee: USD 35.00 per accommodation, per night
The resort fee includes:
  • Additional inclusions
  • Beach access
  • Concierge service
  • In-room coffee

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 10.00 to 25.00 per person

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Capistrano Seaside
Capistrano Seaside Dana Point
Capistrano Seaside Inn
Capistrano Seaside Inn Dana Point
Capistrano Seaside Hotel Capistrano Beach
El Caminante
El Caminante Bar Bungalows
El Caminante Bar & Bungalows Motel
El Caminante Bar & Bungalows Dana Point
El Caminante Bar & Bungalows Motel Dana Point

Frequently asked questions

Is El Caminante Bar & Bungalows pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property; nearby parking is also free.

What time is check-in at El Caminante Bar & Bungalows?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at El Caminante Bar & Bungalows?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Where is El Caminante Bar & Bungalows located?

Nestled on the beach, this Capistrano Beach hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Capistrano Beach Park and South Day Use Beach. Doheny State Beach and Lantern Bay County Park are also within 2 mi (3 km).

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Reviews

El Caminante Bar & Bungalows Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.0

Amenities

9.6

Staff & service

9.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 241 out of 299 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 30 out of 299 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 18 out of 299 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 299 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 299 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Aimee

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
One of the best places we’ve stayed! Beautiful rooms and views, super nice staff. Can’t wait to come back.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jiapeng

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome boutique hotel at beach front. Very clean and surprisingly quiet
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Anita

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was beautiful, staff were friendly, and property was charming.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Irma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
So clean and bed is comfortable!! My second time staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pamela

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was nice and we loved the out door fire pits they had. Right across the beach and a great location
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property and the staff were EXCELLENT!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chad

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Loved the room, it had a nice vibe with the fireplace. Staff was friendly and the bar is a nice quaint place to have have a drink before you explore the local area. Will be staying here again!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really cute spot. Great location. Staff is amazing.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hannah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Beach view in the morning and evening was lovely. Excellent breeze flowing through with dutch doors to room entrance and porch.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A hidden gem at the base of Capo Beach. Chill vibe, “glamping” at its best. The bar is terrific and the staff are wonderful.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Norma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great find

Location, style, comfort and excellent staff You won’t want to ever leave
Private patio
Relaxing lounges at sunset
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room and loved the bed and pillows. Ocean view was great
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a wonderful stay here. The view of the pacific ocean from our upper floor room was perfect. We loved how the decor, fixtures and style of the place felt original and charming. Check-in and out was extremely easy, parking was easy, and everyone was very friendly and helpful. It was exactly what we were hoping for and we will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Fantastic!

Fantastic place. Absolutely loved it. Very classy. Service incredible. Lovely beachside bar, too!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Irma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Like that it’s only a few rooms, parking is very convenient, the view is amazing. Felt so relaxed would definitely book again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Retro-chic beach bungalow hotel with beautiful view of the ocean. Well maintained and clean property. Staff were friendly and accommodating.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We were especially impressed by the service and most notably Aldo. He made us feel like we were at home. A very special place!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great property next to the beach
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a weekend away for an anniversary! We loved the short walk to the beach and food. We also enjoyed the comfortable bed and wonderful staff. I would recommend this hotel to anyone who wants a beach front hotel 😊
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jamila

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
By the ocean, fire on the patio, walkable to restaurants
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Benny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The grounds are beautiful and well kept. While the rooms are small they are comfortable. The restoration was beautifully done
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location was beautiful and convenient. The room had a view of the ocean and a porch to sit on (we were on second floor. The door to the room was a dutch door which was fun and let in the breeze. Great amenities including a record player and records. Very charming lobby with a fireplace and small bar and bookshelves - almost like a B&B. They serve food albeit limited. We just had a drink outside. I wish we could have stayed more days.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Theresa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel was small but stunning. The attention to detail was exquisite. Hand carved doors, tile murals in shower. Just lovely. We had such a quiet stay although the bar was below our room. Highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

reagan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very cute place with fabulous service
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Courtney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is all around amazing. The room was so nice and the bed was very comfortable. I loved the outdoor seating area with chimnea. The staff was very friendly, and service at the bar was wonderful. The food was delicious, and so were the drinks. We walked across the street to the beach in the morning. This place is great value for the money, and I definitely recommend it. We'll be returning for sure.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025