Itineraries
			Classic Laguna Beach Sampler Arts, History & Architecture Ocean Explorer Renewing Mind, Body & Soul Hiking & Biking — from Backcountry to Beach
			Itinerary #1: Classic Laguna Beach Sampler
			Laguna Beach provides the opportunity for a perfect combination of sun, fun and relaxation. For outdoor adventure, head to the hills and enjoy over 20,000 acres of wilderness perfect for hiking or mountain biking. Rent equipment and set up a guided tour with Laguna Outdoors for an action-packed day of fun. Or enjoy surfing, kayaking and other water sports at one of our 20 coves and beaches. For something less active, soak up some sun while reading your favorite book under a beach umbrella, and relax surfside. Close to shops and restaurants, Main Beach is the perfect spot to people watch, stroll along the boardwalk, or take a quick dip. For lunch, try La Sirena Grill, named “Best take-out Mexican food” by the LA Times, dog-friendly Madison Square Garden & Café, or a picnic on the beach or cliffs overlooking the water. Healthy take-out picnic fixings are available at multiple locations in the town. If you’re visiting in the summertime, visit Laguna’s world-renowned art festivals — Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters, Sawdust Art Festival and Art-A-Fair — to discover beautiful artistic creations by local talent. Throughout the year you can gain insight into Laguna’s artistic soul at the Laguna Art Museum or any of the town's 100 plus art galleries. Visit the Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy (weekends only, November – December), or the Laguna Craft Guild’s fair, held most Sundays (September – June) at Main Beach. If you’re in the mood to shop, part of the fun of a Laguna vacation is spending the afternoon exploring the boutiques that feature artisan-crafted accessories and ready-to-wear designer fashions, jewelry, wearable art, antiques and unique home furnishings. Check out Italian and Greek Majolica at Fiori, or various eco-friendly accessories for your home, such as soy candles and recycled bulb vases at AREO. Perhaps you’re in the mood for pampering…Laguna has a number of day spas, such as Movano Day Spa, that feature eco-friendly treatments & products. After a full day, enjoy a picturesque sunset from Heisler Park and finish off the evening with a sumptuous dinner at one of the town’s fine eco-friendly restaurants, such as Tabu Grill or Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort. If you wish to continue the fun into the night, check out a concert or performance at one of Laguna’s many arts venues.
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			Itinerary #2 Arts: History & Architecture
			There are many ways to enjoy the picturesque beauty, history and culturally-alive vibe of Laguna Beach. Begin the day with a walk on Main Beach or Heisler Park, and enjoy breakfast at one of the town’s cafes or bistros. Just north of town, take a stroll at Crystal Cove, where you can hike from back country to the beach. Take a walking tour to view Public Art throughout town or hop on a local bus for a self-guided tour of Laguna’s unique historic architecture (maps for both are available at the Visitors Center). For art that captures California's beauty, Laguna Art Museum exhibits more than 3,500 works dating from the early 19th century to the present. It was founded by the artists who helped establish the town of Laguna Beach. Visits to the array of art galleries can be sprinkled into your itinerary throughout the day. You may consider taking the OC Beach and Wildlife Tour that combines wine tasting and tours of several art galleries in Laguna Canyon. If you’re visiting in the summer, visit art festivals (described in Itinerary #1) during the day and consider a uniquely Laguna performance of the Pageant of the Masters in the evening. As the sun begins to set, choose from a variety of live entertainment venues. The historic Laguna Playhouse, founded in 1920, stages year-round performances. First Thursday’s Art Walk is a perfect trio of an evening stroll, viewing art, and sampling refreshments served by participating galleries. A free trolley service is available for transportation to the galleries. Concerts presented by Laguna Beach Live! include a series of free, late afternoon performances of chamber music held the first Sunday of each month from October through May, and a variety of music festivals and outdoor jazz concerts throughout the year. The Laguna Dance Festival presents professionally staged dance in a variety of genres. Gallimaufry creates unique performing arts experiences throughout the year. For dinner, try Sapphire Laguna located on the original site of Laguna’s landmark, the Pottery Shack, or the Lumberyard, situated in one of Laguna’s historic buildings downtown. Consider attending one of Laguna Canyon Winery’s monthly Wine Tasting Parties, where you can fine wines & hot foods while listening to live music. Conclude your evening with a romantic picnic on the beach and catch a sunset. Sapphire Pantry has gourmet take-out and prepares gourmet gift baskets featuring artisanal cheeses and chocolates. Another choice is the Laguna Culinary Arts Cafe & Cheese Shop for your favorite wines and cheeses. For overnight accommodations, there is a variety to choose from, ranging from resorts to charming B & B’s, or sip champagne on the balcony of a quaint, seaside cottage gazing at the stars. The eco-friendly bed and breakfast Casa Laguna Inn & Spa provides guests with an award-winning breakfast, prepared with the freshest ingredients.
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			Itinerary #3: Ocean Explorer
			At this oceanside resort, visitors of all ages will find activities where they can learn about the environment, gain an appreciation for nature and have fun! For families with children, Laguna’s famed beaches are family-friendly and feature wide stretches of sand perfect for sandcastle building. Diver’s Cove, adjacent to Picnic Beach, is particularly good for splashing and wading in shallow waters. Older kids seeking a more exhilarating experience will enjoy riding the waves on boogie boards, which are available for rent. A whole new world of exploration awaits your family as you investigate the many tide pools along the shoreline. Fascinating creatures inhabit the shallow saltwater pools revealed during low tide. Heisler Park Reserve and Treasure Island are two popular tide pooling sites. During peak summer months and holiday weekends, docents are available at some tide pool sites to answer questions and guide you over the wave-sculpted rocks. Send an e-mail to lbvb@lagunabeachinfo.com and receive a complimentary tide pool DVD produced by the Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau in partnership with the Laguna Ocean Foundation. To further enhance your experience, Laguna Outreach for Community Arts (LOCA) teaches a mini-workshop that mixes art with tide pool education. Each participant crafts their own journal about their visit. Their Tide Pool Adventure is offered on selected weekends in the spring and during the fall. After a fun-filled morning, head into town to grab a casual lunch at Madison Square & Garden Café or Taco Loco, both within a block or two of the beach. Feel like having a picnic? Buy healthy, ready-to-go fixings at Whole Foods Market, Zinc Café & Market or Sapphire Pantry and enjoy your picnic at the beach. To find out more about marine mammals, plan a visit to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center to observe rescued sea lions and seals. To view these pinnipeds in their natural habitat, book a guided kayak eco tour. You can also embark on whale and dolphin watching excursions, just south of Laguna Beach. Gray whale migration reaches its peak from November through April, and few things are as impressive as getting up close and personal with these ocean-going mammals. For those interested in underwater exploration, equipment rentals for snorkeling and scuba diving are available in town. The coves and rocky inlets of North Laguna provide a prime environment for underwater exploration. Popular spots for skin and scuba diving include secluded Moss Point and the aptly named Diver’s Cove. Goff Cove, which is accessible by stairs that lead to the beach from Montage Laguna Beach, is ideal for snorkeling. For even more ocean adventure, take surfing lessons, try paddle boarding or skimboarding. You’ll find the perfect pair of board shorts or beachwear at one of the many retailers in town, including Thalia Street Surf Shop on South Coast Highway. Watch the sun set over the ocean at Treasure Island Park, and enjoy a delectable dinner including locally grown produce and sustainable seafood at Tabu Grill or Splashes inside Surf & Sand Resort. Listen to the sound of the waves all night at the family friendly Laguna Riviera or Seven4One, a boutique hotel dedicated to sustainability.
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			Itinerary #4: Renewing Mind, Body & Soul
			Start your day with a walk on the beach or Heisler Park and a healthy breakfast at Zinc Café & Market or Madison Square & Garden Café. Yoga on the beach is also available. Consider a morning hike in Laguna Wilderness Park or Crystal Cove State Park. If you’re in a pampering mood, set aside time to visit one of Laguna’s world-class day spas featuring eco-friendly products. Treat yourself from head to toe with a manicure and pedicure, as well as advanced skin-care treatments, hot-stone massages and body wraps. If you’re in a creative mood, you can take a hands-on cooking class offered by Laguna Culinary Arts. If art inspires you, take in an art class offered by the Laguna Outreach for Community Arts. Designed for small groups, embrace your inner artist in many hands-on activities, such as sculpture, pottery and watercolor. Enjoy lunch at Laguna Culinary Arts Café, where you can grab a small plate and taste wines paired with delicious cheeses, or try Taco Loco’s scrumptious Tofu Burger, a local favorite. For art that captures California's beauty, Laguna Art Museum exhibits more than 3,500 works dating from the early 19th century to the present. It was established by artists who helped found the town of Laguna Beach. Visits to the array of art galleries can be sprinkled into your itinerary throughout the day. Consider taking the OC Beach and Wildlife Tour that combines wine tasting and tours of several art galleries in Laguna Canyon. After a full day, enjoy the sunset from Treasure Island Park, located at the Montage Laguna Beach, or a sumptuous dinner at one of the town’s eco-friendly restaurants such as the relaxed yet refined Nirvana Grille, or Tabu Grill, the recipient of the highest Zagat rating in Southern California. You may even enjoy a concert or performance at one of Laguna’s many arts venues.
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			Itinerary #5: Hiking & Biking — from Backcountry to Beach
			Laguna Beach is the outdoor enthusiast’s gateway to adventure. Laguna Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, The City of Irvine Open Space and Irvine Ranch Land Reserve combine to create the South Coast Regional Wilderness, offering a total of 20,000 acres for outdoor enjoyment. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park encompasses 6,500 acres and a system of trails that offer ridgeline views of the ocean and lovely spring wildflowers. Paths navigate through chaparral and riparian habitats, leading to the county’s only natural lake—Barbara’s Lake in Laguna Canyon. For mountain biking, try the Big Bend and Willow Canyon staging areas where you can head into the foothills. Both are accessible off Laguna Canyon Road. Designated hiking trails abound at the James Dilley Reserve, Laurel Canyon and Little Sycamore Canyon. Guides and trail maps are available in map boxes at all locations, or you can gain a full overview of the terrain within the entire Wilderness Park at the Nix Nature Center. If you’re visiting with children, there is an easy trail which loops around the visitor’s center, as well as access to other walking paths suitable for children. Weekends at the center also feature guided hikes and hands-on activities for families. Crystal Cove State Park offers an additional 2,400 acres where you can go from backcountry to beach enjoying all facets of Laguna’s great outdoors. Maps and guidance for hiking and mountain biking are available at the visitors center. After working up an appetite, you might want to stop for lunch in Crystal Cove—two casual dining options are available in the quaint Crystal Cove Historic District, which features restored beach cottages and a window on Orange County’s colorful coastal past. For even more hiking and mountain biking options, head over to Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, famous for its mountain biking trails. Laguna Outdoors will tailor the density and intensity of any tour to suit their guests’ desires. After a full, active day, relax with a glass of wine at the Laguna Culinary Arts Café and enjoy a great dinner at the Lumberyard or Sapphire Laguna. Wake up and hear the birds singing at Aliso Creek Inn, which is nestled in the beautiful Aliso Canyon.
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