Spilling All of My Laguna Secrets
I'm not saying this is the perfect Laguna Beach hit list, but I'm not not saying it either...
Hey hey!!
This newsletter walks you through all of my favorite places in an oasis just 1.5 hours from LA - Laguna Beach! Some even say that Laguna is a vortex - for all my hippie folks - and I believe it. It’s a perfect day trip, serving up good coffee + eats + shops, but most importantly - some of the most stunning beaches in the state of California! Spilling all of my secrets and telling you all the best nooks and crannies along Laguna’s strip of PCH below….
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe0236a38-3f1d-48db-8db2-4d030a383903.heic)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd8ff94d2-b9ac-4ef1-9c7e-74a2dc8a2cba.heic)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffe1206f-0d2a-462f-a2cd-383bee4261d6.heic)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ea74c93-7267-44de-8796-e77ecb379a31.heic)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F146bfe16-7c98-4bb7-b535-992bc549a42f.heic)
TTS: LAGUNA BEACH HIT LIST
Food & Drink
Jedidiah Coffee - cutie coffee shop with an excellent pastry selection (from Chaupain!)
Laguna Beer Company - casual, chill brewery with a solid selection and plenty of tables
Active Culture - casual healthy spot with delicious bowls. My family lives for their OG sauce, make sure you order extra
South of Nick’s - upscale Mexican eatery, very good margs
Crystal Cove Shake Shack - NO, not that Shake Shack. This is a literal shack with the best burgers and shakes, plus you get a view. It’s the best.
Bear Flag Fish Co - also a Newport staple, but there’s a location in Crystal Cove too! You truly can’t go wrong here - but I love getting fish tacos or the tuna poke with chips.
Points of Interest
1000 Steps Beach - it’s not 1000 steps down, but it’s a decent trek down - so full heads up! But your treat after descending the stairs is well worth it: a beautiful beach, and some hidden coves if you hit the tide right. If you visit at low tide, walk to your left from the staircase until you hit a cave. What’s on the other side? A stunning, secluded tide pool, and access to an even more private cove + pool built into the rock. It’s seriously so stunning and pictures won’t do it justice!
Pirate Tower - another place you have to plan around low tide for! Sneak around the bend at the right time and you’ll find an epic “pirate” tower that looks straight out of medieval era. And you can go in it too!
Table Rock Beach - another pretty secluded beach
Heisler Park - the loveliest place to walk around, views every step of the way!
Don’t miss the Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club - so fun to watch people play, and the view from here is idyllic
Fisherman’s Cove - towards the end of your walk, a gorgeous cove where you can often watch surfers and people climbing rocks
“The Greeter” - a very nice looking man known as Eiler Larsen greets you on the way into town! I love this piece of public art and the story behind it - more on Mr. Larsen here
Pacific Ridge - hike, medium/intermediate
Crystal Cove - hike, easy/beginner - great for moseying with family
Shop along Ocean and Forest Aves
Laguna Beach Books - a very charming and quaint independent book store
Sawdust Summer Festival - kicking off in late June! This art festival is super special and coincides with Laguna’s premiere event, the Pageant of the Masters, every summer. They also have a winter market that is perfect for holiday gifting!
On My List To Try
Rye Goods - bakery
MoonGoat Coffee - the coolest little drive thru!
AhbA - cutie brunch-y cafe, also known for their burger
Bear Coast Coffee - a newer cutie coffee shop!
The Salt Horse - a new-ish gourmet grocery shoppy shop
South Swell Ice Cream - for a post-beach treat! OG location is in San Clemente