Cotino Bay Beach: Public Access & What to Expect
Opening status, public beach access, tickets, restaurants and shops—plus original construction photos from Rancho Mirage.
Cotino Bay Beach, Dining, Shops is a planned public waterfront destination in Rancho Mirage, with restaurants, cafés, shopping and a separately ticketed beach.
It is not yet confirmed open to public beach visitors. Disney’s dedicated waterfront page anticipates spring 2027. An exact opening date, ticket prices and reservations have not been announced.
- Opening: Spring 2027 is projected; final dates remain pending.
- Access: Public dining and shopping are planned. Beach admission will require a separate day ticket.
- Lineup: 11 announced businesses, with individual opening dates still pending.
Opening Status
Public waterfront projected for spring 2027
The beach and town center are still being presented as future public experiences. The private Artisan Club is a separate part of Cotino and should not be used as evidence that the public beach or shops are open.
Opening-date note and update history
October 19, 2026: The dedicated waterfront page still projects spring 2027 and lists 11 businesses. Disney’s general FAQ still says fall 2026. We follow the project-specific projection while keeping this conflict visible; neither source confirms an actual opening.
October 3, 2026: The roster listed Mila’s Kitchen and Sunglass Hut alongside the nine businesses previously covered here. Their individual announcement dates were not established.
August 2026: The district announcement projected spring 2027 and added six dining and retail concepts.
July 2026: Paid public beach access was confirmed, with pricing and reservation details pending.
October 2025: The first three businesses were announced for the approximately 45,000-square-foot initial commercial phase.
Public Beach & Private Club Access
Dining, shopping and gatherings
The waterfront district is planned for public visitors, with restaurants, cafés, specialty shops, open-air markets and events. Final hours, event schedules and promenade-access policies are still pending.
A separate day ticket
Disney describes white sand, swimming and watercraft rentals such as kayaks and paddleboards. Final ticket inclusions, rental terms and operating rules have not been published.
The town center and the beach are different visitor experiences. Do not assume a restaurant purchase includes beach admission, or that a beach ticket includes equipment, reserved seating or special events.
The Artisan Club is a separate, voluntary private club for accepted Cotino homeowners. Public day tickets and club membership have different facilities, fees and access rules. Read the Artisan Club guide.
Restaurants & Shops
These 11 businesses appear on Disney’s Cotino Bay roster reviewed October 19, 2026. They are announced locations; the district’s projected opening does not establish that every business will open together.
Cotino Bay business directory
Filter the 11 currently announced dining, café and shopping concepts.
Mila’s Kitchen
A planned dining concept combining Hawaiian culture with Southern California influences, led by Chef Charles Akau IV.
More details
Storyliving by Disney describes an island-inspired culinary experience led by native Hawaiian Chef Charles Akau IV. An individual opening date, operating hours and reservation details have not been announced on the Cotino Bay page.
Sunglass Hut
A planned retail location offering sunglasses across luxury, fashion, sport and lifestyle brands.
More details
The announced selection includes AI glasses alongside other eyewear. An individual opening date and operating hours have not been announced on the Cotino Bay page.
Elevare
An elevated American dining concept planned around seasonal ingredients, panoramic water views and a large outdoor terrace.
More details
Created by Oak View Group and designed by Ignisio Studios, Elevare is planned for daily lunch and dinner plus weekend brunch overlooking Cotino Bay and the San Jacinto Mountains.
Artigiano
A European-inspired specialty coffee concept from Canada making its first United States appearance at Cotino.
More details
Artigiano is expected to serve espresso drinks and coffee made with Arabica blends alongside café offerings prepared with thoughtfully sourced ingredients.
On the Mark Fine Foods & Provisions
The locally owned Palm Springs specialty market plans a second location with gourmet food, drinks and provisions.
More details
The announced selection includes artisan goods, premium meats and cheeses, made-to-order sandwiches, wine, craft beer and other specialty provisions.
Asada Cantina + Kitchen
A full-service Mexican restaurant from San Clemente combining crafted dishes, cocktails and an energetic social setting.
More details
The restaurant is planned to open daily for lunch and dinner, pairing vibrant Mexican flavors with cocktails and a setting designed for gatherings.
Mojave Flea Trading Post
An experiential desert retail concept featuring a rotating mix of regional makers, artisans and independent brands.
More details
The announced mix includes vintage apparel, home goods, handmade ceramics, artwork, apothecary products, accessories and other locally rooted finds.
SottoSopra
A new Italian concept from the team behind SottoVoce Cafe, bringing Milanese inspiration to the waterfront district.
More details
SottoSopra is planned for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with pastries, paninis, ossobuco, risotto giallo and a selection of Italian wines.
Big Juice
A Coachella Valley business focused on cold-pressed juice, protein smoothies, specialty coffee and daytime food.
More details
The planned menu includes fresh cold-pressed juices, protein smoothies, handcrafted specialty coffee and casual breakfast and lunch selections.
It Refills
A locally established retailer offering refillable household and personal-care products designed to reduce everyday waste.
More details
The announced selection includes hand and body wash, toothpaste, household cleaners, laundry soap and other refillable essentials.
La Dolce Piccola Gelateria
A family-owned Palm Desert gelateria planned as a casual stop for house-made gelato, coffee and baked treats.
More details
The rotating menu is expected to feature fresh homemade gelato, coffee and artisanal baked goods in an Italian-inspired dessert setting.
For the wider local picture, explore the Rancho Mirage coming-soon listings.
Tickets & Costs
No public beach day-ticket price has been announced. Disney confirms paid beach access, but has not released a reservation system or complete ticket terms.
Meals, shopping and rentals
Restaurants and retailers will set their own prices. Kayaks and paddleboards are described as rentals; equipment should not be assumed to be included in beach admission.
Plan after policies are released
Child and resident pricing, capacity, cancellations, parking fees, seating, shade, cabanas, lockers, changing facilities, safety and age rules, accessibility and service-animal policies remain pending.
Location & Arrival
The public district is planned off Monterey Avenue between Gerald Ford Drive and Frank Sinatra Drive in Rancho Mirage. Final beach-entry points, visitor parking, rideshare arrangements and accessible arrival information have not been announced. The Sales Studio and model-home parking should not be treated as confirmed public beach parking.
Locate Cotino on the DOI map. Check the official waterfront page before planning a beach visit.
Latest Construction Photos
Mark’s October 13, 2026 aerial photographs show the developing public waterfront and the wider community. Visible buildings, landscaping and water do not by themselves confirm that the public district is complete or open.
See more dated coverage in the Cotino development progress tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Cotino Bay Beach expected to open?
Storyliving by Disney currently projects Cotino Bay Beach, Dining, Shops to open in spring 2027. An exact opening date and whether the beach, businesses and events will all begin simultaneously have not been announced.
Will Cotino Bay Beach be open to the public?
Yes. The waterfront town center is planned as a public-facing destination. Access to the beach and lagoon experience will require a separately purchased day ticket, while final policies for visiting the restaurants, shops, promenade and events have not yet been published.
How much will a Cotino Bay Beach day ticket cost?
No public dollar price has been announced. Reservations, operating hours, capacity rules, age policies and whether watercraft, seating or other experiences are included also remain pending.
Will Cotino homeowners receive free beach access?
No. Official disclosures state that purchasing a Cotino home does not grant access to Cotino Bay or its beaches. Residents may use the public experience under its visitor and payment policies or separately apply for voluntary Artisan Club membership.
Is Cotino Bay Beach the same as the Artisan Club?
No. Cotino Bay Beach is the planned public-facing, ticketed waterfront experience. The Artisan Club is a separate private club for accepted Cotino homeowners who apply and pay initiation, dues and other applicable charges.
Sources & Further Reading
Official waterfront roster and visitor-access information reviewed October 19, 2026. The project-specific Cotino Bay page projects spring 2027; Disney’s general FAQ still says fall 2026. That official-source conflict remains unresolved. The 11-business roster is unchanged. No confirmed public opening, ticket price or individual business opening date is established by these projections.
- Storyliving by Disney — Cotino Bay Beach, Dining & Shops
- Storyliving by Disney — August 2026 business and opening announcement
- Storyliving by Disney — Frequently asked questions
- Storyliving by Disney — Cotino community
- Storyliving by Disney — Artisan Club
- Storyliving by Disney — Cotino Bay access disclosures
Original aerial photography: Mark Miller, October 13, 2026. Photographs show visible site conditions on that date and do not establish completion, permits or public access.
Inside Cotino: A Video Guide With Mark Miller
Watch Mark’s broader Cotino guide, starting with The Lifestyle at 2:36. It covers the community and private Artisan Club as well as the planned public waterfront; use the visitor information above for current opening and ticket details.
