A perfect coffee table book to add character and inspire conversations in your home.

Tucked between the housing developments and golf courses of the Orange County coast lies a small settlement of rustic beach cottages seemingly frozen in time. Crystal Cove Cottages is the first history of this uniquely preserved beach spot that has lured travelers and campers since the 1920s. Deemed by the National Register of Historic Places to be "the last intact example of California beach vernacular architecture," it is now a registered state park whose cottages are newly available for public overnight visits. From silent-film location to rum-runners' hideout, scenic setting for a vibrant landscape painting community to 1950s luau-party headquarters, Crystal Cove has all the while remained a bohemian yet family-friendly village. Ten sidebars on notable individual cottages highlight the Cove's distinct and often amusing architectural evolution. Crystal Cove Cottages captures the nostalgic ambiance of seaside Americana.

Book Highlights:

The Community: Showcases the preservation of the last intact example of California beach vernacular architecture.

Historical Lore: Explores the cove's fascinating evolution from 1920s tent camps and silent-film locations to a landscape painter's retreat and 1950s luau parties.

Features: Includes archival photographs, plein-air paintings, and specific sidebars detailing the architecture and history of individual cottages.

Principal photography by John Connell. Second edition. Hardcover 9 1/2" x 11 1/2". 159 breathtaking pages.