Our weekend escapades took place in Laguna Beach this time around. This small coastal town has a laid back, bohemian vibe with beautiful beaches, a variety of art galleries, and endless dining and shopping options. Located in Orange County, this city is between Los Angeles and San Diego. Its exceptional topography is unlike most other California coastal cities. Unlike others, here you can see natural tidepools, mountainous bluffs, and many sea caves. Our 12-hour day trip was not enough time to explore everything, but here is a glimpse into what our day looked like…
Upon arrival we hit the beaches:
Stop #1 – Victoria Beach. – Home to the 60-foot pirate tower, this place is a MUST SEE. Be aware – if the tide is high, you cannot get to the turret, so check the swells and make this your first early morning stop. Although, many imaginative stories are told, this tower was built in 1926 as an enclosed staircase to the beach for William E. Brown, a senator from Los Angeles. After some time, Brown sold the property to a naval captain by the name of Harold Kendrick. He turned the area into “Treasure Island”. This became the spot for kids, who would search high and low to find hidden coins in and around the tower. You may just find an unfound hidden coin on your visit here if you are lucky. If not, you will most definitely capture some of the greatest photographs you have ever taken.
Stop #2 – Thousand Steps Beach. – Although it is only 218 steps, it SURE feels like a thousand on the way back up. Burn Baby Burn! Although there are many that avoid this beach, those that brave the steps will find lots of waves, granite cliffs, and Laguna’s most famous sea cave. Once again, if the tide is high, you cannot reach the caves, so research the tide before making the trek up and down these steps!
Stop #3 – Lunch. – If you enjoy Mexican cuisine, you need to go to eat at Avila’s El Ranchito Restaurant. Family owned and pet friendly, this awesome spot has some of the best authentic Mexican food we have had. The chips and salsa are delicious, but the entrees were FIRE! Top three picks are:
~ Shrimp Botana Platter – Mazatlán shrimp in Avila’s garlic butter sauce, sliced avocado, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and lemon. Serviced with Mexican rice, beans, and warm tortillas.
~ Fajita Burrito – Your choice of steak or chicken, grilled peppers, onions, frijoles frescos, and Mexican rice. Served with guacamole and sour cream.
~ Two Item Combo Plates – Choose from Crispy or soft tacos, flautas, tamales, taquitos, enchiladas, or Chile Relleno. Also served with Mexican rice and beans.
Stop #4 – Shopping. – There are a ridiculous number of boutiques to check out, but a couple of our favorites were…
~ Thalia Street Surf Shop – Their slogan is “has everything you need when it comes to surf,” and they sure do! This store is packed with clothing, accessories, Vans shoes, swimwear, and more. They also offer board rentals and surf lessons.
~ Twig – Full of trendy new and vintage clothing, jewelry, and accessories. I scored an awesome vintage Harley Davidson Sweatshirt.
~ Art for the Soul – This store is highly underrated and probably the best store in all of Laguna Beach! It is full of art and one-of-a-kind pieces from all different local artists. If you like having items no one else has, you need to come to this place!
~ The Fragrance Boutique – This little shop was right up my alley! (Tyler Typing) As you walk in, there are oil bottles lined from floor to ceiling! You can get high quality dupes or make your own special fragrance. The staff has endless recommendations, and they know how to narrow down the scents that you will like best. I purchased one of my favorite scents to date!
Stop #5 – Laguna Coffee Co. – After lots of beach walking and shopping, a caffeine boost was in order. The blended mocha was off the charts! If coffee is not your thing, the shop offers a variety of refreshments and food as well.
Stop #6 – The Wyland Gallery. Robert Wyland is an American artist and conservationist that has multiple art galleries, one of which is in Laguna. Wyland has made countless art pieces including murals, Lucite sculptures, and paintings. If you have a love for wildlife and/or the ocean, his gallery is a must see for you.
Stop #7 – Main Beach Lifeguard Tower – This hexagonal tower resembles a lighthouse and has been a landmark for many years. It can be spotted in just about any illustration of Laguna Beach. This is definitely an Instagram worthy shot!
Stop #8 – Laguna Beach Beer Company – A brewery for locals since 2014 where you can enjoy the chill vibes of the beach community, drink good beer, and catch a bite to eat. Some of the local favorites include the Thousand Steps West Coast IPA, the Second Reef Blond Ale, and the Laguna Light Lager. If you are like us, grab a flight for $10 and sample a variety of flavors! The Ocean flatbread is the perfect snack to accompany your cold draft brew.
Stop #9 – HOME! – We had a total blast enjoying this coastal community, but it wore us out! We will unquestionably head back and see more of Laguna’s 30 beaches! Another main attraction of this area is the annual Sawdust Festival. It runs this year from July 2 through September 5, and is described as, “individual, funky, creative, unique, inspiring, and magical – The Sawdust Art Festival has been home to more than a thousand local artists since its inception in 1967.” This description totally piqued our interest and we want to check it out. Tickets can be purchased online or on site for $10/person. Home – Sawdust (sawdustartfestival.org) Buy yours today and maybe you will run into us!
Live. Love. Laguna.
TnT