The terrace is what sells this one, and it's what gave the house its name. Warm terracotta tile wraps the back of the home, wide enough for a full dining table under the pergola and a run of loungers beyond it, with nothing in the way of the sky. Mornings start out here with the marine layer still sitting soft over the hills. Evenings end out here too, when the light goes gold and the whole coastline seems to exhale at once.
Inside, the house is 2,056 square feet spread easily across two floors --- a corner unit, so daylight comes in from more directions than you'd expect. The living room is built around a deep sectional and a fireplace, with the kind of seating arrangement where a group actually ends up talking to each other. Just beyond it, the dining room catches the afternoon light through tall windows, and the kitchen keeps things bright and functional: crisp white cabinetry, stainless appliances, a breakfast bar for the people who hover while dinner gets made, and a sunny nook for the ones who show up only when it's ready. Three bedrooms sit upstairs under vaulted ceilings, calm and uncluttered, and the bathrooms lean into that same easy Californian brightness --- plantation shutters, a deep soaking tub, plenty of counter. Laundry is in the house, which matters more than it sounds like it should on a beach trip.
Terracotta sits inside Encantamar, a gated hillside community with grounds that are genuinely well kept. Within the gates there's a pool and spa, a clubhouse, and a fitness room --- enough to fill a slow day without ever moving the car. And if someone in the group packed a racquet, the Dana Hills Tennis Center is close enough to walk to.
You may not need to move the car much at all. Ocean Ranch is right across the way for groceries, coffee, a proper dinner or a movie at the luxury cinema. Dana Point Harbor is five minutes downhill, in the middle of its transformation into one of the best waterfronts in Orange County --- whale watching boats and sportfishing charters leave from the docks year-round, and the town has been calling itself the whale watching capital of the world for long enough to have earned it. Salt Creek Beach and The Strand deliver the postcard version of the coast, all bluff-top trails and long clean surf, while Doheny State Beach at the other end of the harbor is the mellow one: firepits, picnic tables, beginner waves.
Beyond that, everything good on this stretch of coast is a short drive. The Lantern District has the local restaurants and the small-town evening energy. Monarch Beach Golf Links plays right along the ocean, with the Waldorf Astoria and the Ritz-Carlton nearby if you want a resort lunch without resort prices for the week. Laguna Beach and its galleries are fifteen minutes north on PCH; the Mission at San Juan Capistrano is ten minutes inland. Dogs are welcome for a fee, so nobody gets left behind.
It's a house that lets you do a lot or very little. Most guests start with ambitious plans and end up back on that terrace.
AvantStay provides a personalized hospitality experience to elevate your stay. With our Concierge Service, guests have access to our tech-enabled services like fridge stocking, private chefs, massages, transportation, special occasion celebrations, baby gear rentals, ski gear, beach gear, and more. For anything you need, we're at your fingertips via concierge@avantstay.com.
SoCal charm meets coastal adventure in Dana Point, a picturesque harbor town known for its stunning cliffs, oceanfront parks, and laid-back luxury. Whether you're strolling the scenic bluff-top trails, kayaking through calm waters, or catching a sunset cruise, the pace is relaxed and the views are unforgettable. Visit the marina for fresh seafood, explore nearby tide pools, or head out on a whale-watching tour---Dana Point is officially the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World.
Local Attractions: Dana Point Harbor, Dana Strands Beach, Doheny State Beach, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, San Clemente Pier, San Clemente outlets, San Juan Mission, Trestles, Giana Bakery & Provisions, Stacks, Chart House, Coastal Kitchen, Luciana's Ristorante, Bottega Angelina
Home Truths:
•This home allows pets for a fee. If undisclosed pets are brought into the home without AvantStay's approval, there is a fine of $500 per pet.
•This is a 2-story home in a gated community. Entry is via the front door only --- no garage access for guests.
Parking Details:
•2 parking spaces available
•Parking is driveway only. No garage parking for guests.
•Unfortunately, there is no plug for electric cars in this home.
All bookings over 30 days require a security deposit to be charged after booking.