The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove

Excellent experience! Our experience started with picking up local CDM sandwiches at Gallo and eating on the deck in front of the Check-in office. PEACEFUL and BEAUTIFUL VIEWS. You see it was an ANNIVERSARY SURPRISE for my husband Dave, who has been working very hard. We got early check-in and time for a nap, body surfed,showered and had martinis before our reservation at the Beachcomber restaurant. Cottage #7 The Little Grass Shack. Painted RED with WHITE TRIM, easy to see from the ocean. We LOVED the location and all the helpful staff, Angie, Chuck, Gino and another front office woman who I think her name was Loretta. Cottage goers were all sweet that we met, some have been owners of a cottage, some have been coming for years... a sweet COMMUNITY. Topping off our Anniversary was our sunset dinner at the BEACHCOMBER RESTAURANT. Reservations were made on OPEN TABLE, we checked in early. We devoured our meals and drinks as everything was TOP NOTCH! Surprise! Our waiter brought a special complimentary DESSERT to continue the perfect meal and celebration. FYI ARTICHOKE APPETIZER was super YUMMY! BEST ANNIVERSARY! Nine years married, 17 years together!

We took our friend out to lunch and had a great experience. We had a cocktail before lunch at the bar, and the bartender was very friendly. We sat at a nice open table, and our server, Jesus, was phenomenal.

It's worth a trip to the Beachcomer for the on the beach location. Service was very good . But we have to say the food was below par. Mahi mahi tacos were impossible to hold without a mess . The fish was way overcooked . All the ingredients couldn't fit the small taco shells. Another guest had to send the mahi mahi dinner back as it was overcooked . We called ahead as we had one guest with a walker that is disabled and were told we had to use the shuttle bus. Also that the path from bus to restaurant had a paved route . Neither was correct. We could have parked in a handicap spot way closer. And half or more of the path from bus to restaurant is loose sand. It was almost impossible for this person to reach the restaurant. They provide “sand walkers” about halfway thru the sand path, but they are impossible to have the person sit into unless they really don't have many balance issues . So one time is enough for us.

only way to get there is by walking or parking at lot across road then taking bus ($) down to restaurant....no more uber drop or pick-up...was a real hassle . food good and sunset beautiful as always.

We had the best morning at Crystal Cove capped off with a wonderful lunch on the beach at the Beachcomber. Gabby provided the best service! In fact, all the servers and reception were extremely polite, accommodating, and cheerful. The food was exceptional and the drinks really hit the spot on a beautiful sunny day. We will definitely recommend and return soon!

In the past....excellent. Last night not so much. Our waitress was semi friendly. Dirty uniform, very hurried and aloof. Some meals good.....short ribs, sea bass. The yellow fin tuna was awful. Expected the rare tuna to be room temp but not the entire dish. The zucchini noodles ice cold and barely cooked. The lemon sauce was mostly water. Desserts came with ice cream that had melted into a puddle of soup. Not impressed at all this visit. I understand not seating until party is all there but then having to check in 2x, wsit in line, and then lead to table by a disinterested hostess with 2 menus for a party of 4 and told to share? Sorry.... do better!

Generous helpings and priced appropriately for a unique beach side location. Reservations essential to avoid the uncertainty of the wait times - use OpenTable. Service was slower than expected but attentive otherwise.

ahi nachos at the bar with a michelada is a great meal! no reservations necessary at the back/side bar area! the ambiance of inside is really cool but of course sitting on the patio looking at the beach is epic. take what you can get! (p.s. i don't suggest the americano. just a warning it's a shot of espresso with 2 cups of water the way they make it. so order something else if you need caffeine!) and yes, get the beignets!

Hostesses at check-in were welcoming. Alexis our server ROCKED! Would love her to be our Server on all our visits. Would love to see the porkchop back at the dinner menu....and the wedge! Thanks!

As with real estate, Beachcomber has 3 things going for it: Location, location, location. Food was ok except for hair fried into the french fries. Will not be back.

Love the atmosphere and service but unfortunately food was not the best. Drinks are super good though.

We enjoyed an amazing breakfast on the beach! The Beignets are to die for. Service was exceptional! This is such a cute rustic place, right on the beach. We loved all the food and enjoyed a great walk in the beach after breakfast. Parking is a little far away, but they do run shuttles. We chose to walk the state park walking trails to get there instead. Just note that there is a steep set of stairs to get to the restaurant if you walk the trail. But we didn’t feel it was too difficult. All in all super amazing breakfast experience and one we would highly recommend to anyone!!!

I love this place have been here many times BUT the last 2 times I've had bad experiences with the shuttle. 1st time- the restaurant staff told me the shuttle takes cards- so I waited for the shuttle about 15 mins all for the guy driving the shuttle to say no cash only, I said but the restaurant told me you take cards - he said no the machine is broken. 2nd time- the driver was so rude!! Also cash only again. This needs to be posted on the site at this point it's an inconvenience.

Atmosphere:
Top-notch atmosphere with a great location right by the beach. However, the overall cleanliness was lacking — the floors were dirty.

Seating:
The seating left much to be desired. The wooden chairs were hard and uncomfortable. The so-called “couch area” was also quite uncomfortable.

Food:
• Burger: Disappointing. I requested medium rare, but it was served almost well-done. The patty was dry and lacked flavor.
• Buns: Surprisingly good — soft and fresh.
• French Fries: Just okay; nothing special.
• Sparkling Water: I ordered sparkling water, but it tasted like regular tap water.

Pricing:
Fair prices for a beachfront location.

Cook time :

The wait time was longer than expected.

The food from other clients looked good.

One of the most historic beach front restaurants in Southern California, it’s been around since 1936. Beautiful beach and cottage Lake Village right on the water.