ALL THE COOL PEEPS IN LAGUNA
Scenic beaches, luxurious hotels, and an artistic vibe surrounding you are what you have to look forward to while visiting Laguna. I wouldn’t expect any less from this seaside resort community. I’ll be honest, hearing the words “Laguna Beach” takes me back to my adolescent years watching MTV’s Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. Yes, the “cool” kids that grew up and then ended up starring in The Hills. A group of friends who had glamorous lives that we all wanted to be a part of. I remember specifically watching Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, and thinking “I want to move to California RIGHT now.” What’s surprising is that after three years of living in Los Angeles, I’m just now making it there. Nevertheless, the sun is shining and I’m headed to the OC. I’ll have to say that the drive is gorgeous, and I picked the perfect day to go.
South Coast Highway 1 takes me exactly where I need to be! One thing that I found interesting is that the freeway literally takes you into this beach town. Driving, I see many signs for hiking trails which does not surprise me. I make it into town, and their are so many boutiques and mini art galleries. Like many places in California, they have several art events, but in Laguna on the first Thursday of every month most of the galleries participate in the monthly gallery walk. I love how immersed in art this town is. It has an art museum, art tours, and festivals. A true art lovers haven. I wish I would’ve known this before hand as I am dressed to splash in the water, and take in the suns rays. Laguna Beach is known as Southern California’s most outstanding coastal seaside destination. The exquisite baby blue Pacific will truly take your breath away. As I walk to the beach with my floaties and my flippy floppies I think to myself, well Malibu; you’ve got some competition.
This artsy glamorous town is such a gem, and different than the other beaches in SoCal in that it’s nestled between majestic canyons. This lovely town is expensive, so get ready to pull out the ol’ checkbook and not be tight with your money. Food and lodging come at an excessive price. You’re looking at spending $150.00 a night minimum for lodging, and food all depends on what your taste buds fancy. The scenic views make it all worth it though. I check out the “Window to the Sea”, which is a beachfront park that is in the heart of downtown Laguna Beach. The boardwalk is packed, and I do what I do best: People watch. I love the Historic Lifeguard Tower on Main beach.
Dream much Lis? Hopeful romantic because hopeless romantic to me sounds horrible! It’s a landmark, and in the seventies the city thought about destroying it! Sad huh? But the lighthouse prevailed and will stand for many more years to come! It also has volleyball courts, two half-court basketball courts, a playground for the kiddos, and public showers and restrooms. Thank God for that, right? There’s also a tide pool area further north of Main Beach. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go because it got late, and I was freezing the big pansy that I am. If it’s below 65 degrees I turn into a block of ice. Not really, but you get my drift. FYI- The tide pools are protected, which is nice, so be a grown up and do not disturb or mess with the marine life. Mama taught us better. If you continue on the pathway it will lead you up to Heisler Park.
The sun is beginning to set, and I move my ostrich legs as quick as I can up the hill to snap a few pictures. A layer of salty, misty, white fog blankets the mountainside. It’s stunning, and looks like someone has tucked it in for the night. The flowers and all the vegetation pair phenomenally with the fog, and it’s almost as if they came together to arrange a picturesque scene just for me. While I wait to take a picture of the high line, I watch as a family sits down on a bench and laugh hysterically while the sun sets. I want to join them being the humorous and social gal that I am.
The sound of sweet laughter echo’s and brings a smile to my face. Another family on the opposite side wheel a family member over to watch the sun go down as well. This is what it’s all about. Sharing moments with the ones you love the most. Until next time!
(All of the places I mentioned above are all in walking distance.)