ELLE Escapes: Laguna Beach

When my husband and I chose Laguna Beach as the destination for our fifth wedding anniversary, we sought little more than a postcard’s idea of a California vacation: ideally a few good sunsets, palm trees a must. But the famous locale along the Pacific Coast Highway offered up a much more expansive itinerary than we’d originally envisioned.

Roughly 40 miles south of Los Angeles, Laguna Beach has a storied history as an enclave for artists, free spirits, and conservationists. Those influences are obvious throughout the resort town to this day: Take a stroll along the assortment of streets just off the Main Beach, and among the coffee bars, gift shops, and restaurants, you’ll find art galleries aplenty, catering to virtually anyone on the spectrum of casual to experienced collector. Nearly every meal we were fortunate enough to eat during our time in Orange County was crafted with sustainable practices and a focus on local ingredients. And, of course, the picturesque blue waters of the Laguna coast tell their own story of valiant conservation efforts.

Ultimately, these influences rubbed off on us: My husband and I ended the trip as newfound evangelists for abstract art and kelp forests; we brought home ceramic bowls we’d thrown alongside Tessa Mansour of Sweet T Ceramics, who was preparing to show her wares at the annual Sawdust Art Festival. I even renewed my daily yoga practice after a particularly restorative beachside session with La Vida Laguna. Our vacation was as relaxing and romantic as we’d hoped, but it was equally enlightening—solidifying Laguna Beach as a spot to which we’ll want to return again and again. Ahead, find a handful of the stops we recommend most.

What to See

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Main Beach

The most iconic stretch along the shore of Laguna Beach, the Main Beach and its iconic Lifeguard Tower are much more than an instantly recognizable photo op. Here, locals and tourists alike gather for pickup basketball and volleyball games as visitors amble along the boardwalk with dogs and kids in tow. Steps away from numerous popular restaurants and shops, the beach also features outdoor showers and public restrooms if you’d prefer to wash up before lunch.

Tidepool Tours with the Laguna Ocean Foundation

Laguna Beach is known for its numerous rocky tide pools, where marine life resides at the intersection of land and sea. Along the vast majority of the city’s coast, boating and fishing are prohibited, which means the protected waters are a thriving home for kelp forests and critters. Visit one of these tide pools, and you’ll likely find a Laguna Ocean Foundation educator perched nearby, ready to point out the sea stars, urchins, crabs, snails, nudibranches, and anemones—as well as their importance to the local ecosystem. After a tour with one of these local guides, I walked away with a much deeper understanding and appreciation for this remarkable form of wilderness.

Laguna Art Museum

No trip to Laguna Beach should be considered complete without time set aside to appreciate the local art scene. One of the best ways to do so is to plan a visit to the Laguna Art Museum, first founded in 1918, where visitors of all ages can explore the exhibits with a docent or on a self-guided tour. Currently on view into September are showcases by contemporary abstract artist Andy Moses and the late plein-air impressionist painter Frank Cuprien. But if you’re in the mood for something more interactive, check the events calendar to book a slot in an all-skill-levels workshop, or spark your kids’ imaginations during a session in the on-site children’s studio.

Where to Eat

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Oto Sushi

Take a break from perusing the shops off the Main Beach to enjoy one of the carefully crafted rolls at Oto Sushi. Serving sustainably sourced fish and vegetables in a modern, elegant dining space fashioned with sleek wood and calming blue design accents, the restaurant offers a range of specialty rolls alongside sashimi, robatayaki, small plates, wagyu burgers, and more. Enjoy the tableside grated wasabi, and consider sharing a sushi board with the table to ensure you taste each of Oto’s best and brightest flavors.

Splashes Restaurant

Pressed up so close to the ocean you could dive into the waves from one of the panoramic windows, Splashes Restaurant—located inside the historic Surf & Sand resort—is a can’t-miss dining experience in Laguna. I ordered the sea bass and sautéed green beans in a soy vinaigrette while my husband enjoyed a perfectly cooked piece of wagyu beef in red wine sauce atop a rutabaga and horseradish puree, but it’s hard to imagine you could go wrong with anything on the contemporary Californian menu. And don’t neglect dessert: The raspberry lemon bar and carrot cake with mango chutney both earned rave reviews at my table.

Harvest

Inside the rustic main building of The Ranch at Laguna Beach is Harvest, a dining destination with a rotating seasonal menu formed with ingredients from the property’s on-site farm and gardens. The views of Aliso Canyon alone are worth the trip, but the food offers just as significant a pleasure: It took all my willpower not to eat an entire loaf of pull-apart milk bread before my Jidori half chicken could even reach the table. As was the case with Splashes, the dessert is well worth saving room for. I’ll be dreaming about the strawberry butter cake with strawberry-rhubarb jam and brown butter ice cream for many months to come.

Where to Drink

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Play Coffee

Devotion to quality coffee and espresso—as well as an, ahem, playful approach to lattes—distinguishes Play Coffee from its competitors in Orange County. Featuring a shifting menu of single-origin coffees from purveyors around the globe, the sleek space served as an ideal spot for me to catch up on writing during my visit to Laguna. The Volcano Latte, Shaken Maple Latte, and Strawberry Matcha all came highly recommended, but ultimately I opted for an iced Volcano Latte, made with brown sugar and smoked sea salt. It was unexpected but absolutely delicious.

The Loft

Overlooking the pool at the gorgeous Montage Laguna Beach resort (as well as the ocean beyond), the open-air restaurant and bar known as The Loft is a perfect spot for a mid-afternoon drink. Here, you’ll find an excellent selection of wines, beers, and handcrafted cocktails—ask for the Bartender’s Selection if you want that week’s specialty creation—as well as mocktails and cold-pressed juices if you’d prefer to forgo the alcohol. I particularly enjoyed the Detoxify juice made with apple, ginger, and lemon, which I paired with a crab cake sandwich on ciabatta bread I’d fly back to California just to eat again.

The Royal Hawaiian

You needn’t be a devoted tiki bar enthusiast to appreciate the novelty of The Royal Hawaiian, a beloved local watering hole first opened in 1947 and reopened in 2023 after a full restoration. Snag a spot at the 22-seat bar top to fully appreciate the impressive feat of the Polynesian-inspired décor, including the palapa thatched roof, jade-tiled booth dividers, and glowing lanterns. Be sure to order the Chief Lapu Lapu, an iconic cocktail made with rum, passion fruit, and orange juice, lit with a blowtorch before your eyes.

Where to Stay

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Casa Loma

Climb the small hill set right into the cliffs off the Main Beach, and you’ll discover the 70-room luxury boutique hotel known as Casa Loma. Distinguished by earthy hues, soft shapes, and the rich textures of clay, wood, and plaster, Casa Loma’s casual sophistication informs its Mediterranean-inspired design as well as its personal touches—such as a hotel-specific music station that guests can access from in-room tabletop radios. The location is unbeatable, but so are the perks: Don’t miss the complimentary cookies set out every night in the lobby, made by local bakery Rye Goods.

The Ranch at Laguna Beach

Tucked within the picturesque Aliso Canyon off of Highway 1—but within easy strolling distance of the shore—The Ranch at Laguna Beach is an ideal option for travelers who prefer plenty of peace and quiet to accompany their scenic views. The resort is set on 87 acres and prides itself on its eco-friendly efforts, which are evident throughout the property, including in the locally sourced dining options and the verdant nine-hole golf course irrigated entirely with reclaimed water. Be sure to book a treatment at the House of Hudson Day Spa, where the Calming Canyon Massage is among the best I’ve had in years.

Montage Laguna Beach

Opened in 2003, the five-star oceanside Montage Laguna Beach resort pairs gorgeous Craftsman-style design with luxurious amenities and an unbeatable view. Explore the sands of Treasure Island Beach before pampering yourself in a eucalyptus steam room or redwood sauna at the spa, or lounge by the Mosaic Pool before a dinner of mezze and fresh-caught fish at Studio Mediterranean.

Beauty Picks

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