El Caminante Bar & Bungalows

4.0 star property

Photo gallery for El Caminante Bar & Bungalows

Beach/ocean view
Lobby lounge
Exterior
Room, 1 King Bed, Balcony, Ocean View
Hacienda Suite | Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
34862 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA, 92624
  • Place, Doheny State Beach
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, The Coach House
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Dana Point Harbor
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
    ‪24 min drive‬

Room options

Ocean View King ADA Accessible with Patio & Chiminea

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Ocean View

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Hacienda Suite

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

El Camino Suite

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Balcony, Ocean View

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

About the area

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 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Doheny State Beach and 4.6 mi (7.4 km) from San Clemente Pier.

What's nearby

  • Capistrano Beach Park - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Doheny State Beach - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • The Coach House - 3 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Dana Point Harbor - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
  • Mission San Juan Capistrano - 6 min drive - 7.1 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
  • ‪Rosetta Coffee Brewing Company - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪A's Burgers - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Sunsets Bar & Grill - ‬3 min walk

About this property

El Caminante Bar & Bungalows

Beachfront hotel with a 24-hour front desk and a coffee shop
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 transport

  • Free 24-hour offsite parking within 6 metres
  • 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 (84 centimetre 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
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Dressing gowns
  • 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

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

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

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 220 out of 266 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 25 out of 266 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 14 out of 266 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 266 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 266 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

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

Our new 1-day getaway headquarters.

Went down for a 1 night getaway on a Friday, and it was wonderful. This is now our getaway place from now on. 35 minutes from our house, but a different world all together. The architectural design and landscaping are a highlight, it's feels "old school" and the staff is great. Very casual, helpful, kind of felt like staying at a friend's house. For some reason, it felt like we spent an entire weekend there and it was barely 24 hours. Love it. Can't recommend any higher.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dan

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bobby

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

Unique & Cozy, but has some drawbacks

This is a great, swanky place to stay. Great views of the beach, especially on the 2nd floor. The decor is unique and intriguing. Downsides: There was only one person on staff to check us in, but he was also the cook/bartender. It took a while for him to finish the food before we could get checked in. Parking was okay, but they had a yoga class on the lawn that was open to the public. They took all of the parking spots, and we had to park on the street. The placement of the bed was awkward. It was literally placed in the middle of the room, facing the great view out the window, but there were cords from the lamps going to the wall on one side, which became a bit of a trip hazard. (We unplugged the lamp so I could access the bathroom instead have having to walk around the entire bed.) Plus, the TV was on the side wall; not convenient for watching tv if that is an issue for you. Overall, we would still go back! It is a great atmosphere and the food was wonderful.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jesus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Black Aaron

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lee

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

Great room

Very cozy and clean Bed was extremely comfortable Beautiful view of the ocean Adorable room with many extras. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julian

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Judy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We liked the beautiful spanish tile throughout the hotel and floral landscape. Our room had a balcony with ocean view which we enjoyed especially the evening sunset. We found nothing to dislike.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

joel

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

Yes!

Such a charming place conveniently located in Dana Point! Perfect to relax
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jean Marc, Las vegas

Travelled with partner
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Was ok hotel Nice bar
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jamila

Travelled with partner
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

Danielle

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love this hotel, we would come back again. All of the details in the design, the location, complimentary e-bike use, super cute rooms, lovely view, staff was friendly and accommodating, breakfast and coffee was really great. I was so in love with all the bougainvillea on the property, the tiles, the record player in our room. So modern yet quaint and unique. My only note is that the rooms are tiny. It was fine for just my husband and myself. It’s just smaller than a standard room. Our feet turned black walking around in our room barefoot but I don’t know if that comes with the territory of a beach front property. All good though, like I said we would still return without a doubt.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was great. We will always stay here and recommend it to our friends.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ay

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is the ONE in the area. Adorable, clean, soulful, restful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 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

Bryant

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great stay
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Travelled with partner
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

10/10 Excellent

Nico

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unique property, clean rooms with welcoming decor. The outside patio areas are great but lack privacy. Went for a day, nice place to just unwind near the beach.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025