My Favorite Vacation Place
Crystal Cove State beach is a step back in time. This is my favorite place to vacation on earth and we were lucky enough to get a cottage on the sand for this next week .
This place is the perfect example of public/private partnership. California State Parks owns the property but the Crystal Cove Alliance is a private non-profit that has saved the cottages and continues to work on the restoration of the remaining cottages. We are staying in the white cottage below - did I mention it is right ON the beach?
In 1876 three California ranchers and San Francisco financier James Irvine (as in Irvine, CA)
purchased the land and stocked it with thousands of sheep. In 1927 Japanese farmers leased the land from The Irvine Company and built homes, barn, and a community center. Several movies have been made at Crystal Cove State Beach including “Herbie Rides Again” and “Beaches”. The coastal strand stretches 3.2 miles and at high tide the waves lap against 80 foot bluffs.
Mr. Iving gave the workers permisson to use the beach. Their tents evolved into shacks, then decks were added and houses were built with even some full time residents. Use of the private little cove and the cottages was passed down from generation to generation. Families met every summer, there was a bugle and Martini flag raised at 5:00 PM to signal Happy Hour at one of the cottages.
To read more about the history of the cottages and the preservation efforts, click here.
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
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That's OK Darcie, rub it in! Since it sounds so wonderful, I just loaded three 5 year old boys in the car and we're on the way! Might as well break you and Jim in so you'll be ready when that Nonna and Pappa time comes your way. -:) You're in our vacation territory and I know you're having a ball. See ya!
ah, thanks. They would be the perfect age for sand castles.