CRYSTAL COVE –  Matching the excitement of a radio dial-in contest with free trips, the frenzy began on June 26, 2006, when Crystal Cove State Park offered reservations for 13 renovated cottages. From the residents at upscale houses on the hill above the beach to travelers thousands of miles away, over 16,000 people logged into the reserveamerica.com website by 8:30 a.m., trying to capture the prize, an opportunity to sleep at a Southern California beach. Booking six months out and paying $150 to $200 per night, the excitement has yet to die down on this gem of the coast, Crystal Cove.

The State of California purchased the land and approx. 3,000 acres around some beach cottages in 1979 from the Irvine Company for $32.6 million. It took approx. 20 years to evict residents and fund a rehab project of an historic district. 37 or so rustic cottages were built in the early 1900's on the terraced hill and bluff above the sandy beach that was used as a film location for the black and white movies of the Golden Era. Not far from this beach in Corona del Mar, some of those film actors and actresses are buried in the Pacific View Cemetery, in fact.

To understand the allure of this state beach and cottages it keeps, you have to take a drive along the Newport Coast. On the hilltop above the park are multi-million dollar homes that overlook this rustic spot. Surrounded to the south and north by civilization, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach offer miles of beaches tucked away in residential neighborhoods. Some small enclaves even have gates with keys that only residents may open to step down to their private beaches the public can only reach by boat or kayak. In contrast, Crystal Cove is one of Orange County's last open space parks. Running inland from the beach are miles of hiking trails and wilderness camping for those willing to hike and pack it in to the campsite.

But here on the beach, you drive up and park, bring your goodies and just enjoy the simple life. With a new Beachcombers Cafe setting up shop in one of the buildings, guests can dine morning to night at the restaurant operated by Ruby's, known for their 50's style diners located on piers and near the beach.

A visitors center in one of the cottages offers memorabilia and tells how the historic district and cottages came to be. To learn more about the park, a monthly docent-led tour on the second Saturday is open to the public, and you can also visit the beach by parking at the pay parking lot on Los Trancos across Pacific Coast Highway. $10 day parking is validated for those who spend at least $10 dining at Beachcombers.

It's reportedly still a challenge to get your foot in the door of the cabins.  On the first day of each month, one month worth of overnight stays become available for six months out. For example, on Jan. 1 the month of July will be available. Each month is still being gobbled up the first day available. To try your luck at booking a room, you first must set up an account with a credit card on reserveamerica.com.