Wrapped up a nice 9 day trip with family. Stayed at RC in Dana Point. Then L'ermitage in BH.
We spent one night of the second leg at Mailbu Beach Inn. But while the hotel is really great, rooms were not connecting as we had been promised, so i moved us up to L'ermitage where i know the (massive) suites well. Not much disappointment here as we were sorta beached out after four nights in the OC.
I've already reviewed L'Ermitage - one of my favorites in L.A. - but wrote a review of the RC-Laguna Niguel here.

Ritz Carlton - Laguna Niguel, CA

TLDR: it's a fine property. Location to die for. It's got the look and feel of a 'luxury hotel', quite elegant. Public spaces are lovely, floral arrangements abound almost everywhere.
There are some dings that keep it from being true ''luxury" for me, the room itself was far from perfect. But most of this RC's faults - indeed, most RC's faults in general - are due to the key count. RC's are usually too large to be quiet, discreet, calm wnough for me.
We only had one evening at Malibu Beach Inn, but maybe I'll write up a few paragraphs. It's a very cool, rustic-chic place.

Big and special thanks to FT deity [MENTION=3967]SanDiego1K[/MENTION] for the thorough list of dining options.
Partner and I had a terrific date night at Matsu in Oceanside. Not the omakase, we went a la carte, and what a great meal that was! The chef himself couldn't have been any more knowledgable about his own food (and its exact sourcing/preparation) than our lovely server was. Highly recommended - and don't be fooled by the exterior, it's an unassuming looking building with a starkly beautiful, dark dining room behind the doors.