An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

Laguna has so much to offer from scenic hikes to a simple walk on the beach. Plan your next adventure in beautiful Laguna Beach!

Day 1:

Stay at Laguna Beach House:

The perfect place to stay to unwind after an adventurous day would have to be the Laguna Beach House.  Laguna Beach House is the perfect hotel for thrill and fun and is inspired by the Southern California surf culture. We highly recommend booking their “Surf Package”. The Beach House’s “Surf Package” includes a 90-minute private surf lesson at Laguna’s very own Anita Street Beach. This lesson comes with a beginner surfboard and wetsuit to use as well, being the perfect activity to add for the most adventurous weekend in Laguna.

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

Start Your Weekend with a Hike:

Open at 6:00 am daily, Crystal Cove State Park is a great way to start your day in Laguna Beach. Crystal Cove sits on about 2,400 acres of land that holds about 3 miles of tide pools, trails, and beaches to explore. The El Moro Canyon Loop Trail is a 5-mile-long hike that has an elevation of over 800 feet. You can find mountain biking and horses along the same trail. Looking out into the coast, you get beautiful scenic ocean views, the perfect serotonin boost to start your day!

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

Don’t Skip the Most Important Meal of the Day!:

Open since 1931, The Orange Inn is a MUST if you are looking for a filling breakfast that will keep you fueled for the action-packed day ahead. Located at 703 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, The Orange Inn is a laid-back surfer vibe, check out the vintage surfboards and hand painted drawings on the walls. The only thing better than the ambiance is the delicious food and amazing staff. Make sure to grab some muffins to go as you’ll be wanting to snack on them all weekend! This historic breakfast spot serves breakfast daily from 6:00 am-3:00pm.

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

Continue Your Afternoon with Skimboarding:

After hiking at Crystal Cove State Park, the next ideal move on the itinerary is to cool off in the water at Aliso Beach. Aliso Beach is a great family beach and is home to many surfers, body surfers, swimmers, and especially skimboarders. Aliso Beach holds an annual competition called “The Vic”, which is the world championship of skimboarding. Although Aliso Beach is popular, it’s worth hitting on your perfect day of adventure in Laguna Beach. For dog lovers, leashed dogs are allowed between June 15 and September 10 before 9:00 am and after 6:00 pm.

Make sure to reach out to Launa Beach’s infamous Victoria Skimboards for board rentals along with private skim board lessons. They currently have five instructors you could take lessons from. Book your private lesson here.

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

End your Day with Dinner and Drinks:

AhbA, a Mediterranean-inspired coastal cottage along PCH is the perfect late lunch/early dinner spot after working up such an appetite. During the weekends, AhbA has a special “Weekend Afternoon Bites” menu, which is both delicious and well-priced. This weekend-only menu has a wide variety, including their signature burger, fries, chicken sammie, a caesar salad, and more… something for everyone! AhbA is open Monday-Thursday from 7am-2 pm and 5pm-9pm, Friday from 7 am-2pm and 5pm-10pm, Saturday from 9am-10pm, and Sunday from 9am-10pm.

AhbA even has its very own speakeasy called Helen’s Cocktails! Helen’s Cocktails are delicious and unique! Our favorite signature drink of theirs being the “Paper Plane”. Along with cocktails, Helen’s carries Mexican sodas, beer pitchers, and bottles of wine. With a beverage for everyone to enjoy, Helen’s Cocktails at AhbA is the perfect way to end your first day ‘venturing in Laguna Beach!

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

Day 2:

Saturday Farmers’ Market:

Good morning! The Laguna Beach Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to unwind and browse around on a beautiful Saturday morning in Laguna. Although the farmers’ market is only open on Saturdays, there are around 50 vendors that provide amazing goods from fresh coffee, raw honey, beautiful flowers, yummy mandarins, and more. The farmers’ market does get busy, as their hours are only from 8 am to 12pm every Saturday, so plan accordingly! The Laguna Beach Farmers’ Market is located at Lumberyard Parking Lot 12 located at 521 Forest Avenue. 

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

An Oceanfront View Lunch:

The Cliff Restaurant is an amazing spot to dine on an adventurous day! Enjoy a late lunch or early breakfast, surrounded by beautiful ocean views. During this time, The Cliff’s refreshing acai bowl and an iced coffee would be a great choice meal to gain your energy back. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily at The Cliff. They have a wide variety menu as they include gluten free options as well as vegan/vegetarian options. The Cliff is also dog friendly for the furry friends tagging along with us!

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

Time for an Afternoon Surf:

When it comes to surfing in Laguna, there’s one beach that comes to mind. That beach being Brooks Street Beach. Brooks Street is known for having the biggest waves in all of Laguna Beach. Every summer, the annual “Brooks Street Classic” takes place, which is the longest running surf contest to date. Brooks Street is also dog friendly, but all dogs must be on a leash that’s 6’ or shorter and again between June 15 and September 10 before 9:00 am and after 6:00 pm! P.S… Brooks Street is no place for beginner surfers! These waves are no joke!

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

Taking a Stroll on the Promenade:

Let’s relax before dinner! Taking a stroll on the Promenade on Forest is the perfect way to pop in and support Laguna Beach’s small businesses. Check out fun boutiques, unique dining, and original art by locals. The Promenade’s hours run from 9:00 am- 10:00 pm.

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

Your Night Cap to an Adventurous Day in Laguna:

After hours of surfing and roaming around Laguna, it’s time for dinner at The Rooftop Lounge. The Rooftop Lounge also has beautiful ocean views that are stunning during sunset time. Unwinding with their famous mojito cocktails is the perfect way to end any day in Laguna. The Rooftop Lounge has a full bar, gluten free options, vegan/vegetarian options, and even live music at times! And you guessed it… they are dog friendly! What more could you ask for?

An Adventurer’s Weekend Guide to Beautiful Laguna

About the Author

Ella Horan

Ella Horan

Ella Horan is Visit Laguna Beach’s newest addition to the team, completing her senior year internship with us! Ella is working to achieve her Communications Degree with an emphasis in Entertainment and Tourism at Cal State University, Fullerton! On her free time, Ella loves to find new thrift stores, going to concerts, and hanging out with her cats, Louie and Feather. Ella is excited to graduate in Spring 2024 and navigate what is next in her career path.

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