Weekend road trips are now all the rage, and Laguna Beach, just an hour’s drive from San Diego and Los Angeles, is an ideal destination for a quick weekend getaway. There are over 22 beaches where you can enjoy snorkeling,y surfing, and scuba diving, as well as 7,000 acres of wilderness and more than 40 miles of hiking trails, it is a paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts, located in one of the most charming seaside towns you have ever seen 1. It is also known for its thriving art community, numerous galleries, frequent art and music festivals, unique shops, and eye-catching food sceneries. So pack up, put on sunscreen, and find your favorite road trip playlist-we has all the best activities in Laguna Beach here.
Exciting Things to enjoy on a weekend getaway to Laguna Beach
Go hiking
One of the best ways to learn about a new city is to take a self-guided walking tour of its attractions. The walk starts from the iconic lifeguard tower on Main Beach and takes one to two hours, depending on your pace. If you only have a few hours, the Heisler Park Trail is a must-visit. It has six famous landmarks, including the Gnarled Tree. There are also Aguna Beach time capsules, 17 works of public art, endless sea views, beautiful seaside gardens, and many places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat.
Breakfast at Moline
This trendy Orange County mini-chain usually queues outside the door, especially on weekends, but believe us, the wait is worth it. The all-day kitchen menu includes omelets, quiches, crepes, and some more hearty main dishes such as grilled chicken or salmon. If you have a place to go, you can choose some classic baguette sandwiches and a bottle of wine for an outdoor picnic or pair it with a variety of delicious pastries to match your afternoon coffee. Plan your ideal beach getaway with Alaska Airlines Book a flight and experience the best time in San Diego.
Spend a day at the beach
There are 22 different beaches in Laguna Beach, and everyone can find something that suits them. But to enjoy the sun all day, head to the main beach in the city center. Take a stroll along the boardwalk that runs along the coast. Or walk to town for shopping, lunch, or a glass of wine.
Besides, there are several basketball courts, many volleyball courts enjoy full action with enthralling body surfing. (regular surfing is not allowed in summer). There are shower and toilet facilities at both ends of the beach.
Lunch at the rooftop lounge
Located on the roof of La Casa del Camino Hotel, The Rooftop Lounge is popular with locals. People visit there for its panoramic views, fresh handmade cocktails (their mojitos are particularly delicious), and Southern California cuisine.
Moreover, you can relish burnt broccoli and wild mushroom bread, carrots and kavatapi pasta, or Snake River Farm American Wagyu steak, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and strawberry game. The sweet parfait with flavors like Scarpone is over. Bonus: They are pet-friendly, so your four-legged friends can go on the roof with you.
Practicing yoga on the beach
Registered Yoga Alliance coach Carl Brown leads a 90-year-old full-level yoga class. Every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday morning at eight are held in the Treasure Island Park of the Montage Hotel. Bring your yoga mat, water, sunscreen, and any other props you need. Thereby, you can experience a challenging and exhilarating experience surrounded by spectacular scenery. The course is free, but donations are encouraged. Further, 100% of this is used to support women’s education in the Tara Monastery and the Nepal Himalayan Children’s Fund. So please donate generously to the good cause.
Taste craft beer at Laguna Beer Company
Laguna Beach inhabitants Brent Reynard and Mike Lombardo are long-term family brewers. They opened their first brewery in Rancho Santa Margarita in 2014 and achieved great success. And then in the Laguna Beach Arts District in 2018, A big tent was opened.
Their drafts are wisely named after town landmarks, such as Qianbu West Coast IPA and Second Reef Golden Beer. Both of them pair well with small plates, such as soft pretzels with red beer jalapenos. However, you can enjoy them with bowls full of skins or inspirations, Sandwiches, and handmade flatbreads. Reservations are first-come, first-served.
Explore the Pirate Tower
Located in the bluff of Victoria Beach is La Tour (The Tower), also affectionately known as The Pirate Tower. However, as far as we know, there has never actually been any looting. Its story is much more naive; they built for State Senator William E. Brown so that the beach can be accessed from his cliff-top home.
Further, It is best to go at low tide because there are fewer rocks to manipulate at this time. You can walk to the tower for Insta shooting. Remember, although the beach is public, the building itself is not. It has a private owner, so watch it but don’t touch it.
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Wandering the Art District
North Gallery Street in Laguna Beach will host art walks from 6 to 9 pm every first Thursday. Many of which have live artist demonstrations and live music performances, as well as free snacks and drinks. Wander from one store to another gallery and enjoy the fine arts of painting. Also cherish photography, sculpture, woodworking, and various mixed media. However, if they find you with adult drinks in the gallery, stay alert. Since local law enforcement agencies would prefer you to drink them on the premises.
Taste handmade cocktails in the stateroom
Sit in the tufted seats of this old club-style cocktail bar. It is just a stone’s throw from the beach to relax with one of the Stateroom’s vibrant craft cocktails. Choose from Liquid Homage, a series of vivid homages to the now-closed Laguna Beach hotspot. Or select state-of-the-art standard, a spiritual avant-garde infused with aged bitterness, fresh juice, and vanilla. Wine lovers should check their wine list as they will get everything (except sparkling wine). Enjoy happy hour with them Monday to Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. You can buy selected drinks, wines, and drafts, as well as high-end snacks. They have many specialties such as grilled Spanish octopus, handmade cheese and bacon plates, Kobe sliders, and oyster half.
Hiking the Laurel Canyon Loop
Part of the 7,000-acre Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Laurel Canyon, Laurel Spurs, And Willow Canyon Trail Loop is a moderately difficult 3.3-mile loop with an open waterfall all year round. Start in the Willow Staging Area. After that, follow the trail, past the original rocky area, where you can find small caves to explore.
Also, Pay attention to the stakes along the way; they have a phone number to dial and listen to pre-recorded messages about that part of the path. You will soon come to a piece of grass; open your eyes to the ghost rock about halfway to the right. Going further, you will see dry river beds, where sharp eyes can find fossil shells in the rocks. Besides, also waterfalls that may likely dry up in summer.
Lastly, On a clear day, continue up the mountain for half a mile. And you will enjoy the magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. Follow the ridge across the Laurel Ridge, then follow the steep Willow Canyon Trail back to the parking lot. Plan vacations with American Airlines booking to head towards the best beach getaway and San Diego Laguna Beach this year.