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El Caminante Bar & Bungalows

4.0 star property

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On the beach, white sand, sun loungers, beach umbrellas
Lobby lounge
Ocean View King with Balcony | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Lobby lounge
Ocean View King with Balcony | Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Bar

Explore the area

View in a map
34862 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA, 92624
  • Place, South Day Use Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Capistrano Beach Park
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Doheny State Beach
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Airport, Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    ‪36 min drive‬

Room options

Ocean View King with Balcony

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Ocean View King ADA Accessible with Patio & Chiminea

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Ocean View King

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Hacienda Suite

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

El Camino Suite

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About the neighborhood

Dana Point

With a stay at El Caminante Bar & Bungalows in Dana Point (Capistrano Beach), you'll be a 4-minute drive from Dana Point Harbor and 6 minutes from Mission San Juan Capistrano. .This beach hotel is 4.6 mi (7.4 km) from San Clemente Pier and 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Capistrano Beach Park.

What's nearby

  • South Day Use Beach - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Pines Park - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Poche Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Capistrano Beach Park - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Doheny State Beach - 18 min walk - 1.0 mile

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

El Caminante Bar & Bungalows offers 28 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and bathrobes. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include showers, slippers, and complimentary toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)). 47-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and ceiling fans. In-room massages and hair dryers can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include complimentary bicycles.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 28 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature showers, complimentary toiletries, and bathrobes.
This smoke-free hotel features complimentary parking nearby, bodyboards on site, and complimentary bicycles on site. Recreational activities include hiking/biking trails on site, boat tours nearby, and snorkeling nearby.
Enjoy a meal at El Caminante Bar or snacks in the hotel's coffee shop/cafe. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM for a fee.
Free self parking is available onsite.
Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
El Caminante Bar - Onsite café.

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

El Caminante Bar & Bungalows Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

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

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Jake

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We had a wonderful stay at El Caminante. We were warmly greeted and allowed an early check-in, which was much needed. The location was perfect and free of any traffic issues. The rooms were smaller than a normal hotel room but had the character and class that we were looking for. The porch was really neat with a view of the Pacific, nice patio furniture, and a firepit. The bar had great coffee, and while we didn't try the food, the menu looked great. The only reason we didn't give it 5 stars is because the fire alarm went off one night (probably a fluke but just bad timing), and we also did not receive a park pass as stated in the reservation (they said they had been stolen). The staff accommodated this and gave us a credit back on our bill to compensate. Michael at the front was especially great - so helpful, answered all of our questions, and was a jack of all trades. Loved this place and would definitely go back again!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Susan

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Staff was courteous, but not very informative. Upon check in, they should be telling you about the hotel and what it has to offer. We had no idea they served any type of breakfast or had Ebikes for use. They should have shown the menus or had them in the room. There were no instructions on how to use the coffee pot in the room, The rooms could use slippers. I would not say this was a luxury property.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Scot

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Room was quaint but is very small, barely enough space to get around bed., no closet, no shelf space in bathroom. There were 2 drawers under bed but difficult to access. Property is very pretty with lots of flowers and a chimanea on the patio. It seems that the patio is to make up for the lack of space in the room.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

4/10 Poor

Skanthan, Los Angeles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
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

Marigress

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Such a charming little boutique hotel. The room we stayed in was immaculately clean & comfortable (nice mattress & crisp linens). The Spanish colonial decor is so charming and so fitting for SoCal... and the view from our ocean facing patio room was amazing. Our patio was perfect for enjoying the ocean at sunset, and the chiminea kept us cozy and warm so we could continue to enjoy the patio as the temperature dropped into the evening. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well. This was the perfect place for us to stay for a quick 2-day anniversary getaway from San Diego. We can't wait to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very unique! Great staff!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Thanh-Tam

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amberly

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pamela, San Diego

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

Jodie

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Everything was wonderful
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

carmen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
This is the 2nd time I stay here. The place is gorgeous and super comfortable. I had an ADA room and it was much roomier. I have a bad hip and the extra space made it easy to get around the room. Everything was clean and the room smelled great. I love the toiletries. Plush towels and perfect bedding. I put on my jammies and wrapped myself in the robe and sat by the chimney in the patio. I read for hours with the sound of the waves and the fire. El Caminante is a great getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katrina, ALPINE

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shawn

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Dat

Liked: Cleanliness
Not good experience
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Roxanne

Traveled with family
Good location. Older and not updated in years.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 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

Kendra

Stayed 1 night 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

Mary

Traveled with partner
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

2/10 Terrible

Carlos

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tonya

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025