Laguna Beach set the precedent for California's holiday towns. The area was inhabited soon after the American Civil War, and before long, inland ranchers started flocking here to enjoy the cool summer breeze. Laguna Beach's dramatic shoreline, twinned with vistas of the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean also lured in those who wanted capture its beauty through art. By the 1920s, over half of Laguna Beach's population consisted of artists. Much of that community remains today.
Scout out the area with a hike through Heisler Park. The trails offer numerous vantage points from which you can pick out the picturesque Crescent Bay in the north, and Laguna Beach itself, to the south.
Make your way down to the main beach and take a dip. If you're looking for more than just a paddle, try your luck at surfing or skimboarding (a local favourite) on waves that can reach heights of 4.5 metres. Explore beneath the surface by signing up to a diving expedition. Another way to seek out Laguna Beach's sea life is to go tide pooling. Nearby Thousand Steps Beach is another strip of coastline that should be on any beach lover's itinerary.
Stroll into the city centre. Go on the Bungalow Tour and see the city's oldest buildings. You'll also be taken to St Francis by the Sea, one of the smallest churches anywhere. See how artists have interpreted Laguna Beach over the years at the Laguna Art Museum. Find more quality collections in North Gallery Row. Altogether, there are over 100 galleries to hop between.
Shopaholics will be in their element delving into Laguna Beach's boutiques, jewellery shops and gift outlets. Bookworms can leaf through rare tomes at Barnaby Rudge Booksellers and Laguna Beach Books.
As evening draws in, catch a play at The Laguna Playhouse, a community theatre with a 90-year history. Get involved with the food and wine tasting events that take place in the city's bistros and bars. In the summer, it's likely your visit will coincide with one of Laguna Beach's many artsy events, including the Art-A-Fair Festival and the Pageant of the Masters, in which over 500 volunteers are used to recreate well-known masterpieces.
