Sunset in Laguna Beach, 2020
I always come back refreshed from Laguna. It’s a small, beautiful, artistic beach town with lovely ocean views on walkways that wind through Main Beach all the way to Heisler Beach and beyond.
Earlier this month, Christy, Chad and I went to Laguna to remember Jim on his birthday. It was, as always, a special getaway and the first time Chad had been to Laguna.
Laguna Beach in the early 1900’s had a population of 300, half of whom were plein air painters drawn to the beauty of this seaside town and its clear air. Now, it’s a thriving small community of 23,000 with a focus on arts, dining, and entertainment.
This trip, we stayed at “The Tides” which is across the street from the Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill, which reopened last year after several ownership changes dating back to 1947. It’s one of the few restaurants where I’ll order a Mai Tai and they mix a really great one. Christy has many good memories of going there as a young child with her parents.
Usually, we stay at my timeshare, Laguna Surf, but it was booked. The Tides is a charming small hotel that my friend, JuliAnne, told me about last year. Very friendly staff and each time we stay there, we’re greeted with a handwritten note welcoming us “home.” They have a salt-water pool, which we had to ourselves for a couple hours one afternoon.
We drove to the Montage hotel and walked along Treasure Island Park that overlooks the coastline Saturday eve but, by then, the city was swamped with visitors and too crowded for comfort so we headed back to Gina’s for pizza and wine.
We capped off our last day there with boogie boarding at Heisler Beach but the strong riptide made us cut our ocean time short. Luckily, we each had a few good rides before we hit the beach again. I walked the beach, chatted with artists, took in the views and felt more alive and happy then I had for many months.
Laguna Beach, once again, was the antidote to COVID.
Love your stories!
Looks lovely. We all need a COVID antidote about now. Stay safe.
Wonderful, as usual, Susan.
Wish we were there.
It’s a gem of a town for sure!
My cousin’s daughter lives in Laguna with her hubby (an artist) & 2 little boys. I usually take them to the Urth & I always attend Laguna’s Straw Festival. Two years ago we ate at a fantastic Vietnamese Restaurant near the Straw Festival. It’s called “Another Kind Cafe.” I’ve wanted to go back. Good for you that you took a break but — on boogie boards?! Go, girl!! — as they say. You’re an inspiration. Love the pics.
I have treasured memories of a Laguna Beach vacation with my mom when I was a teenager, and then as an adult with friends going to the Sawdust Festival. It is a magical place and I’m glad you got a COVID respite there!
Susan, it was such a pleasure reading your about your trip to Laguna and seeing the lovely photos. I haven’t thought of Laguna in years and many fond memories of it. Because I love plein air art, I’ve always enjoyed the great watercolors painted in Laguna.
The boogie board experience must have been fun and the idea of a salt water pool sounds invigorating.
All in all a great get away and wonderful way to remember Jim. Andrea
Great picture and glad it is such a great break!
Beautiful day . You look so happy.
Thanks for sharing your special Laguna Beach Escape….we would take our sons to that wonderful beach town when they were small. Great destination with super restaurants and scenic beaches!
Enjoy Each Day,
Abel Martinez
Susan, beautiful photo’s and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I’ve been longing for a beach trip and your photos and story gave me a taste of one. So lovely, thanks for sharing!!