Laguna Beach, CA, United States of America

Laguna Beach, CA, United States of America

Laguna Beach, CA United States of America

We are in Laguna Beach, a place where the rhythm of life seems to follow its own rules. The relaxed atmosphere of this city contrasts with a sound-filled ambiance: the sharp, melancholy notes of a saxophone mingle with the almost shameless trills of the gulls that flit freely over the beach. This unusual combination of artistic flourishing and natural beauty is likely what attracts more than three million tourists each year to the beaches of Laguna Beach and its small downtown, just a few blocks away. Before our eyes unfolds the outline of the coastline stretching into the distance, as if giving a warm embrace to the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Here there are no large hotels breaking up the uniform line of luxurious California mansions and elegant oceanfront condominiums. A walk through Main Beach Park, the city’s main beach, reminds us of the atmosphere of opulence and total relaxation that defines this place. Men and women of different ages play leisurely games of volleyball, while others simply watch life go by from the benches scattered nearby. We cross a small wooden pier to leave the coast behind and enter the city; the murmur of the beach transforms into an urban bustle, yet the atmosphere does not become tense as sand gives way to pavement beneath our feet. The cleanliness of this city is striking. Not a single piece of litter mars the neatness of these palm-lined avenues. This is how we reach Broadway Street, the widest street in the city, where all kinds of shops are located—from restaurants such as Romeo Cucina, known for its healthy food, to boutiques and exclusive beauty salons like Blu Laguna Salon & Spa. The flow of cars passing through here is constant but never chaotic. No car horn interrupts the distant music of a saxophonist that drifts to our ears. Following a recommendation from locals, we stop at the famous ice cream shop Dolce Gelato to ease the heat that hangs over the streets and to try the house specialty: 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