If only Gold then why the interest in SPG for this trip...? So Cal is not their strongest market and while i'm a fan of St Regis Monarch Beach, its not perhaps as good as Montage Laguna Beach (beachfront). I've even had Disney people stay at Resort at Pelican Hill which is 10 miles up the coast from Dana Point and therefore closer to Anaheim. Some great rooms sizes at Pelican Hill.

St. Regis Monach Beach is part of FHR and Virtuoso for those perks since you are only SPG Gold.