24 hours in heaven: Laguna Beach, California

Between visiting San Diego and Los Angeles this May, I made a stop in Laguna Beach for 24 hours of perfect happiness.

From San Diego, the easiest way to get to the small seaside town is by Amtrak. We took a train to San Juan Capistrano - another beautiful old town that I’d definitely recommend stopping in, even if just for lunch - and then a taxi into Laguna.

The town is built along the Pacific Coast Highway which runs the length of California from San Francisco to San Diego. Although everywhere is pretty much accessible by foot, Laguna Beach operates a free trolley shuttle, stopping in various locations from the central shopping quarter to the various beaches and coves in town.

Laguna Beach is full of expensive hotels, restaurants, and art galleries, but it is not impossible to experience the luxury that the town has to offer on a budget. We stayed at The Tides Laguna Beach Hotel for less than $300 per night for a double room with two double beds. For the three of us, it was roughly $87 each with tax. Although rated a two-star hotel, The Tides was comfortable, welcoming, and perfectly well equipped for our short stay, and I’d certainly visit again. The location was ideal: just off the Pacific Coast Highway and a two minute walk from the beach. Despite being roadside, there was no traffic disturbance. It also had an outdoor pool.

There is no shortage of delicious restaurants and cafes in Laguna Beach. We visited at Urth Caffé for lunch, and Sal’s Famous Pizzeria for dinner. Urth was recocmened by our taxi driver and the queue for breakfast the next day was a testament to its popularity. Serving light food with local grown fresh ingredients, it was both a delicious and sustainable lunch option. Sal’s makes square pizzas by the ½ metre, offering a wide variety of topping combinations to try. We enjoyed our pizzas by the cove and watched the sunset: a perfect ending to a truly magical day.

Arguably the best that Laguna has to offer is its plethora of stunning beaches and coves. The town is very popular with surfers due to the multidue of hidden coves and consistent surf. Perhaps the prettiest beach in town is Treasure Island Beach, accessible via the prestigious Montage Hotel. A short shuttle ride from the centre of town, this beach is well worth a visit during a trip to Laguna. Heisler Park is another great location with plenty of picnic benches at top of the cove, with direct beach access as well.

Despite having to leave Laguna for LA the next morning, our short break from city life was very welcome and arguably the highlight of our California trip. If you’re looking for Californian sun and sea in a quieter location, Laguna Beach is not one to miss!