Highway One road trip-- Laguna Beach

June 12, 9:09 PMSF Upscale Travel ExaminerLee Daley

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Photo by Lee Daley

Beach Nirvana, USA: Enjoy the classic beach getaway in idyllic Laguna Beach. Laguna’s seven-mile stretch of coastline, an oasis along California’s Highway One, packs 20 coves and beaches within its 9 square miles. Enhancing this enclave are intimate inns, deluxe resorts, seaside cottages and homey hideaways. One of the beauties of the destination is that it can be enjoyed year-round. Temperatures consistently average 80 in the summer, 70 in the winter.

Downtown Laguna’s tree-lined streets shelter sidewalk cafes, espresso bars, art galleries and oodles of boutiques, many selling locally designed wares.

The Arts: Originally founded as an artists’ colony, Laguna Beach boasts nearly 100 galleries. Each year the renowned Festival of the Arts, the Pageant of the Masters and the Sawdust Art Festival draw visitors from around the world

Also well worth visiting are the Laguna Art Museum and the Laguna Playhouse where an unknown Harrison Ford appeared on stage in 1965.

Outdoors: In this sublime climate, outdoor activities abound, mainly centered on the ocean and the beaches

Volley ball: Feel like a game of beach volley ball? Laguna’s village spills right out onto the Main Beach where, if you’re lucky, you might see professional volley ball players like Karch Kiraly, the three-time Gold Medalist, who lives in nearby San Clemente. The city maintains three courts. If you’re willing to soak up some sun while you wait, your patience might be rewarded with a chance to play. Even watching these masters of the sport is a thrill

Tide pooling: Have you tide pooled lately? Several beaches in Laguna offer fantastic tide pools. At low tide these outdoor aquariums fill with purple urchins, bright anemones, crabs and all kinds of sea life. One secluded spot, Moss Beach, is a favorite with locals. At the foot of sloped cliffs, the small cove is accessed from a steep stairway on Moss Street. Parking is limited but it’s easily reached from nearby Pacific Coast Highway or Ocean Avenue if Moss Street parking is unavailable.

Sunsets: A variety of terrace bars will also vie for your attention along Laguna’s Pacific Coast Highway as it runs through town. After that game of volleyball or a walk along the boardwalk, you’ll want to dive into one and celebrate the evening’s heart-stopping sunset.

Road signs: While driving along Highway One, you’ll notice the road signs read simply PCH. That’s short for Pacific Coast Highway., the name given to this stretch of Highway One.

Look for more: Look for my in-depth coverage of the upcoming art festivals, local wine tasting and dining, and the best choices in lodging in my upcoming articles.

Getting there: Orange County’s John Wayne Airport is about 12 miles from Laguna Beach. The Village also runs bus service along PCH, making it easy to drop the car and start exploring. Laguna Beach is located about half way between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Once there: Laguna Beach offers a free shuttle service to the Pageant of the Masters during the summer.

For more information: Laguna Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau: http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com