LAGUNA BEACH: A HIDDEN GEM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Laguna Beach is one of my favorite beaches in Southern California. I love to visit it many times throughout the year. Not just because it is about 20 minutes away from my home but because of the positive vibe I get and the beauty of the nature that it provides every time I visit. There are many beaches in Orange County that I have visited so far, but Laguna Beach has a unique and artistic identity that no other beaches have. If you plan to visit Laguna Beach for vacation or the weekend, here are some helpful tips and some things to do.
BEACH TRAIL WITH PRECIOUS VIEWPOINTS
Laguna Beach has a beautiful beach trail right next to the main beach. When you enter the city, it is located on the right side of the main beach (the north of the main beach on the map). There are parking spots right next to the trail that you can pay hourly with meters. It is easy to walk with some stairs along the way. The distance is short compared to other beaches: finishing the trail takes me less than 30 minutes. You can stop and take pictures of many spots with the beautiful ocean view. There are some extraordinary sculptures and seating areas where you can picnic.
UNIQUE AND ARTISTIC DOWNTOWN
Across from the main beach, there is a cute downtown area of Laguna Beach, where there are many gift shops, restaurants, art galleries, and dessert shops that you can enjoy. It is fun to look at antique-looking buildings with beautiful decorations. It is also an excellent place to take photos with an artistic vibe. Don’t forget, there are many art galleries that you can enter to enjoy viewing. I recommend Kush Fine Art if you want unique, fictional, and modern art. The receptionist is kind, and you can enjoy looking at the art without rushing. Tuvalu is also worth stopping by if you want gifts or home decorations. They carry plenty of cute seasonal decorations and things to look at. Every Saturday, a farmer’s market is within walking distance of about 5-10 minutes from the main downtown area. It is pretty decent in size and one of the fun farmer’s markets to visit in Orange County.
FOOD AND DESSERT TO ENJOY
Some of my favorite places for lunch in Laguna Beach are Nick’s (top-notch food and service), Rye Goods (one-of-a-kind sourdough bread), Moulin (fresh sandwiches and salads), and Urth Caffe (matcha latte and brunch). Gelato Paradiso (a little tricky to find this place) is my go-to place for ice cream. One of the new places I visited was the Açaí Republic; their açaí bowl is always good with fresh ingredients. If you are looking for a refreshing snack or a healthy replacement for lunch, I recommend this place. It is a little tricky to find this place, too. It is in a cute area next to the gas station in front of the main beach. During the weekend, it gets crowded, and you might have to wait in line for more than 30 minutes for each of these places. The tip is to order ahead using online order and take out to eat in the picnic area near the trail/beach.
KID-FRIENDLINESS AND SAFETY
Compared to the other beaches in Orange County, I give about 4 out of 5 (my opinion as a local Orange County resident) regarding how kid-friendly and safe the area is. I didn’t give a perfect score because the roads are narrow, and there are some stairs on the beach trail that you might have difficulty using a stroller. There are hills, so it gives a good workout, but it is still hard to use strollers and walk around with little kids. But it is a small town, and I’ve noticed the kindness from the residents who provide help to moms (from my experience). Yes, it gets crowded during peak times and the weekends, so you should always watch your kids, but it still has the small-town feel that makes you and your family feel safe and comforted.
PARKING
Since it is a famous beach in a small town, it is not easy to park, but it’s not challenging if you pay for your parking spot. Compared to LA, the parking price is decent in this area, too. There is a full-day parking area behind a gas station right in front of the main beach. There is street parking with meters along the beach trail and downtown areas. Also, there are parking areas downtown with plenty of room and machines where you can purchase tickets hourly. The easiest way is to download the Laguna Beach Parking App, which you can use to pay for any parking spots in Laguna Beach. I used this app and found it very helpful because you can check the remaining hours and extend the time.
In conclusion, I always enjoy Laguna Beach; it is a small, artistic town with a positive vibe that no other beaches can offer. I love that it has everything you need in this small town. My only complaint is heavy traffic to get in and out of the beach during weekends and holidays. So, I always come here on weekdays or early on weekends. But, there should be a reason why so many people want to visit Laguna Beach, so it is worth visiting regardless.
