I’m embarrassed to say, I’ve been here so many years now and I’ve never been to Laguna Beach   Well, I can’t say that any longer…I finally made it!

After a trip to the South Coast Plaza, we decided to head to Laguna.  I’ve seen pictures and read a few things, but really didn’t know what to expect.  I also didn’t realize it was so close to the South Coast Plaza, about a 15 minute drive.

A beautiful winding road through towering canyons, tons of art galleries and finally the beach.  This place was packed.  It was in the low 60′s, but streets were packed, beaches were packed, restaurants, all packed.  I found out it’s quite the party place and can give my stomping grounds, Hermosa Beach, a run for the money (well, Hermosa Beach of a few years ago, but that’s for another time).

We scored some free parking about a half block off the main strip then hit the town.  So many cool shops, galleries, restaurants with the beautiful backdrop of Laguna Beach.  This part of the beach is a crescent shaped beach, with lots of reefs just off shore and hills on both ends.  There’s a beautiful walkway with beach volleyball and basketball courts, and a long sandy beach for strolling.

"In this fleeting moment..."

Before heading down, we took a little detour into Browns’ Park at the top of the hill.  Just a tiny park overlooking the beach from the hilltop, with a really unique fence…the fence has a poem built in with see-through letters, so you can see the beach and ocean through the lettering.  The sign reads:

“In this fleeting moment
what extravagant respite
as booming surf speaks its
mystical passage across
the undreamed depths.”

The sun shining through the poem built into the fence (on all three sections), and the beautiful Pacific Beach in the background make for a very unique and powerful setting.  You have to stop by here when you visit Laguna Beach.

Continuing on we walked past a beach house with a sign on the gate that read “Live the Good Life.”  Our thoughts exactly!

We browsed a few galleries and shops, all with the beautiful beach in the backdrop, grabbed a bite to eat at a little pizza joint…actually had a prosciutto sandwich and a shrimp wrap, and on to the beach.

What a beautiful sunset!  The cliffs at the end of the beach with the rocks coming out of the pacific made for a interesting and beautiful setting.

As we were heading back, we stopped at the little mart to use the facilities…charging us $.25 to use the bathroom, we bought a couple lottery tickets (which I’m sad to say we didn’t win), the guy said if we won we have to come back and give him a big tip…my tip for him: “don’t charge 25 cents to use the bathroom” hehe.

Well, a nice drive back to Redondo Beach along PCH and the day was over.  I promise to go back and actually check out the party and beach scene when it gets a little warmer, and i’ll make sure to report back with more info.