The folks in this sand castle know how to have a good time! The swell on-site amenities here include O.C.'s largest outdoor pool, a beach bar with nightly entertainment in summer (even food and drink service to your beach blanket!) and a nice restaurant. Like the Clarion Fontainebleau, they own their beach. The accommodations, which have grown over the past 55 years from one castle to three, are designed with families in mind. They're a good value—comfortable, if not luxurious, but clean and spacious enough for mom, dad and the gang not to feel cramped. Rooms, all of them, have fully-stocked kitchenettes (another family-friendly touch). All three buildings face the ocean as do several affiliated condo units and apartments in nearby cottages. The original building, Castle South, doesn’t have an elevator though its suites and standard hotel rooms were redecorated in fresh pastels in the winter of 2013. Castle North also remodeled at the same time and now boasts full kitchens and nicer furniture than South or Waverley (the all-efficiency building).  First-floor rooms walk out to the beach but because of the dunes, they and second floor rooms don't have a good view of the surf. Around them are all the makings of a good time: restaurant, pool, kids' play areas, beach bar.