Laguna Beach, CA, United States of America

Laguna Beach, CA, United States of America

Laguna Beach, CA United States of America

We’re in Laguna Beach, a place where the rhythm of life seems to follow its own rules. The relaxed atmosphere of this town contrasts with a soundscape full of life: the sharp, melancholy notes of a saxophone mix with the almost brazen cries of gulls wheeling freely over the beach. This unusual mix of artistic blossoming and natural beauty is probably what draws the more than three million tourists who visit Laguna Beach’s beaches and its compact town centre just a few blocks away each year. Before us, the line of the coast stretches out endlessly, as if wrapping the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean in a warm embrace. There are no big hotels here to break the uniformity of the luxurious Californian mansions and elegant seafront condominiums. A stroll through Main Beach Park, the town’s main beach, evokes the sense of opulence and complete relaxation that defines this place. Men and women of all ages play unhurried games of volleyball while others simply watch the world go by from the benches nearby. We cross a small wooden pier to leave the shore behind and head into town; the murmur of the beach shifts into an urban hum, yet the mood never feels strained by the change from sand to pavement beneath our feet. The cleanliness of this town is striking. Not a single bit of litter spoils the neatness of these palm-lined avenues. This is how we reach Broadway Street, the town’s widest street, where you’ll find every sort of shop, from restaurants like Romeo Cucina, known for its healthy food, to boutiques and exclusive beauty salons such as Blu Laguna Salon & Spa. The flow of cars along here is steady but never chaotic. No blaring horns disturb the distant music of a saxophonist drifting to our ears. Following a tip from the locals, we call into the famous ice cream shop Dolce Gelato to take the edge off the heat on the streets and try the house speciality: pistachio ice cream.
Recommended airport
Los Angeles Intl (LAX)
Nearby destinations
  • Long Beach, CA a 48.30 km
  • Anaheim, CA a 36.27 km
  • Santa Ana, CA a 26.19 km