The perfect cottage for this weekend – is a cottage with a pool!  Not too many cottages have a pool but 512 Larkspur, which was built in 1928, had a pool added in 1959. ​

While the stretch of PCH that runs through CdM today is essentially a row of banks and real estate offices with a few restaurants and bars mixed in, there was a time when there were motels all along Coast highway starting in the 1940’s, peaking in the 1960’s, and ending in the 1980’s.  In an article written for CdM Village Living, the Sherman Library explained this trend, “As more people could afford automobiles, motels sprang up near California’s national parks, amusement parks, and state beaches, especially along Pacific Coast Highway. While hotels were often out of middle America’s budget, motels were budget friendly and offered people a place to stay near prime tourist designations.”

Let’s look at nine motels that formerly lined PCH, from the north end of the Village heading south.  In some cases, the motel building is still there but has been re-purposed, in most instances, it was replaced. 

​Chuck Jones, the legendary animator and director who gave life to cartoon greats such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Road Runner was a longtime Corona del Mar resident.  In an almost 70-year animation career he directed more than 300 films, three of which won Academy Awards, received an Oscar in recognition of his life’s work, and created some of the most famous and beloved cartoon characters.  He is credited as a co-creator of Bugs, Daffy, Elmer Fudd, and Porky Pig and as the sole creator of Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote, Marvin Martian, Pepe Le Pew, Michigan J. Frog and dozens more memorable characters.  

​You could regularly walk down Iris and have never seen this cottage.  Tucked away down a brick path through some palms and other trees, is this 1 bedroom, 1 bath front house that was built in 1948.