Monarch Beach, Dana Point, California

Monarch Beach, Dana Point,

Monarch Beach is a small, wealthy gated community in Orange County, California located within Dana Point. Its distinction is the St. Regis and the Ritz Carlton-Laguna Niguel (actually located within Dana Point) which are beachside resorts located within the town of Monarch Beach. Monarch Beach is close to the city-boundary between Dana Point and Laguna Niguel, which are both included in Orange County's "Beach Cities" area (although Laguna Niguel does not have any coastline). It consists of some residences, but is also a tourist attraction for rich and, occasionally, famous travelers. The name "Monarch Beach" is often referenced as the name of the city, in place of Dana Point, to make the area sound more appealing to such travelers. This intentional misnomer is the source of many complaints among most other Dana Point locals.

Monarch Beach, Dana Point,

Monarch Beach is named after its most prominent geological feature "Monarch Bay" aptly named as its rolling hills of Sagebrush and Manzanita were once a breeding ground for the Monarch Butterfly. The butterflies were once seen there in large masses, but have disappeared from the area because their habitat has been replaced, almost entirely, by the large houses that can be found in the Monarch Beach neighborhood.

Like the rest of Dana Point, Monarch Beach gated community residents enjoy close proximity to the beach, a relatively low-crime rate, top-rated competitive public schools, and a relaxed, comfortable and athletic atmosphere that proliferates within the entire Dana Point community. They are also close to the Dana Point Library and the nearby shopping center and gas station in Laguna Niguel. The Links — an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. — is considered to be one of the best golf courses in Southern California. In addition, the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Golf Course offers visitors some of the best amenities in the area.[1]

Monarch Beach was also the location of the famed Nixon Interviews, as well as the controversial AIG retreat, set up by then-CEO Ed Liddy, which took place in 2009 shortly after the insurance company received bailout money and which was priced in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most Dana Point residents were bipartisanly outraged.

Monarch Beach is also the home of the Dana Point Concours d'Elegance automotive charitable event held each year on the Monarch Beach Golf Links.

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