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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Visiting Laguna Beach California |
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By Matthew Martz | |
Part
sleepy beach town and part thriving art colony, Laguna Beach
has a little of everything for those that want a relaxing
getaway and some fun in the California sun.
The area draws hundreds of thousands of travelers from both far and near to its pristine beaches and famous art fairs . When the locals aren't shooting the curl, working on their tan or playing volleyball on the white sandy ocean side courts, they're appreciating the arts by attending various art events, like First Thursday Art Walks, the Sawdust Art Festival, and the well-known Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. But for visitors that come to the area outside those events, there's a myriad of public art and local galleries, including the Laguna Art Museum, which can be enjoyed throughout the year. However, for most, the beaches with its seven miles of beautiful coastline are the main draw. Search for Laguna Beach hotels. When first arriving in Laguna Beach, travelers are greeted by the 1930's lifeguard tower that watches over the basketball and volleyball courts and other sand activities at Main Beach. Main Beach is the largest and most popular stretch of beach in Laguna. It is located in the middle of the town where Broadway and Ocean Avenues intersect Coast Highway. There is a boardwalk that runs the length of the beach so it is a nice place to take a walk or people watch. Since it is in the middle of the town, it is just a short walk from the beach to the numerous restaurant and shopping areas. |
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Besides basketball
and volleyball, some of the top beach activities here include:
surfing, body boarding, scuba diving, and snorkeling. But
if you don't want to get wet, you can explore one of the many
tide pools and seas caves to get an up-close look at one of
southern California's most fascinating ecosystems. Kids of
all ages will enjoy spotting colorful starfish, spiny urchins,
and the always fun, hermit crab. Before leaving downtown, there are several architectural landmarks well-worth a visit. The first is the Bette Davis House, an English Tudor home, built in 1929, which overlooks beautiful Wood's Cove, and the Cope House, which is the oldest remaining dwelling in downtown Laguna, built in 1897 in Settlement style, are worth checking out. Next is Peppertree Lane, a historic building originally built in 1934 around a pepper tree. When passing through the arched brick entries, one can leave reality behind and experience the mood of a European holiday. The last is little known except to locals, but is plenty interesting. Located at 154 Pearl Street is the city's oldest remaining house in Laguna, built in 1883 with wood floated in from boats, wood from shipwrecks and driftwood. Truly a nautical oddity. While in Laguna Beach, a nice side trip is a drive up Laguna
Canyon to the Laguna
Canyon Winery, the only working winery in Orange County. Just over the hill is Aliso and Wood Canyon another great place for a hike. If you have enough energy you can climb to "Top of The World Park for one a fantastic view of Laguna Beach and the Pacific Ocean. |
Flavors
of Laguna Food Tour - Explore the sights,
sounds and tastes of the world-famous Orange County arts community
of Laguna Beach on this three-hour walking tour. Experienced
guides introduce guests to the culture and history of Laguna,
as you venture on foot to various restaurants to taste culinary
delights of all kinds. Laguna
Beach Food Tour |
Finally, the Pacific
Marine Mammal Center is a must for the entire family.
The center provides medical care for sick and injured seals
and sea lions with the goal of returning them to the wild.
Open daily 10 am to 4 pm. visitors can watch the doctors treat
these magnificent sea creatures and witness their incredible
journey back to the ocean. Admission is free. Hotels in Laguna Beach are mostly along the beach front stretching from main beach all the way to South Laguna. The most famous is Hotel Laguna, which was first hotel in Laguna Beach and dates back nearly 100 years. Hotel Laguna is only steps away from main beach. Newer hotels include the swank Montage Resort & Spa Laguna Beach. Even if you can not afford a stay at the Montage its a great place to have a cocktail on the balcony and enjoy a spectacular ocean view. With, countless outdoor activities and a flourishing arts scene, it's no wonder that Laguna Beach has been a favorite destination for southern Californians and other travelers in-the-know. Laguna Beach is located approximately fifty miles south of Los Angeles, in the southern portion of Orange County. |
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