Monarch Beach

Monarch Beach is a small neighborhood in Orange County, California located within the City of Dana Point. Its distinction is two luxury hotels St. Regis and the Ritz Carlton-Laguna Niguel (both located within Dana Point) which are beachside resorts located within the area of Monarch Beach. Monarch Beach is close to the city-boundary between Dana Point and Laguna Niguel. It consists of some residences, but is also a tourist attraction for travelers. The name "Monarch Beach" is often incorrectly referenced as the name of the city. 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 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 Harbor and the nearby shopping center. The Links — an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. — is considered one of the best golf courses in Southern California. In addition, the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Links Course offers visitors some of the best amenities in the area. Monarch Beach is about a five-minute walk to Salt Creek Beach. It has straight access to Strands Beach and a picnic area.

It's noteworthy that the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Monarch Beach is called Ritz-Carlton-Laguna Niguel. In the ’70s, the developers of the area were including the hotel site as Ritz-Carlton, Monarch Beach, a part of the area to be called South Peak. As the property was changing hands and resident numbers grew, the Laguna Niguel Community Council was formed to address density and traffic. A planning committee of this organization approved the plans with the caveat the resort’s name be “Ritz-Carlton-Laguna Niguel.” The name remains to this day. 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.

source: wikipedia.org