THE WALK OVER TO THE HIVE
A short walk from downtown (via Forest Avenue) with your back to the beach you will see the tile roof on Fire Station 1 at 501 Forest Avenue, established in 1931 and still operational today. Connected is the police department and City Hall where there is often seasonal public art piece on the lawn and paintings from locals on the walls inside.
Next, you’ll see Laguna Beach City Hall which was established as part of the city’s incorporation on June 29, 1927. Continuing, next to city hall is Lot 12 where the beautiful Laguna Beach farmers market is open (rain or shine) every Saturday 8 am to noon.
If you keep walking Lot 11 and Lot 10 where one can park all day without a time limit and pay by the hour. Across the street is the 90-year-old Laguna Playhouse (where there is never a bad show) and the Festival of the Arts entrance, within the festival is the Irvine Bowl where the Pageant of the Masters is performed annually and debuted in 1933 at the second annual Festival of Arts.
The scent of the succulents alongside is in the air, you will see dozens of bike racks, the sloping hillside and massive estates perched above. This pleasant and historical path is pointed at the Laguna Art A-Fair and Sawdust Art Festival. But first, nestled in between is The Hive.
ONCE YOU’RE THERE
As far as food and art are concerned, the walk to The Hive is ideal, especially if you are attending one of our festivals and Pageant of the Masters. This year the festivals are open June 27 – August 31 and Pageant of the Master is open July 5 – August 29.
The Laguna Beer Company is gleaming from the frontage street with a very colorful mural titled Spirit of Laguna by Beau Stanton. Laguna Beer Company has an unbeatable selection of craft beer, plus a great menu to complement. It’s all good, the pizzas and sandwiches, and don’t pass on the Bavarian pretzel.
Alongside Laguna Beer Company is Olivers Osteria featuring 5-star Italian cuisine within a quaint setting. They offer Dungeness crab, Grilled Octopus, Carpaccio Cipriani, lots of pasta! Risotto, ravioli and lasagna.
Followed by McClain Cellars with a casual atmosphere, you can buy an artistic bottle of wine or enjoy tastings. There is also a great selection of appetizers including gourmet popcorn.
Next in line is Kitchen in the Canyon open 8am to 3pm for one of the best breakfast or lunch spots in town. Features: Chicken & Waffles, Steak & Eggs, Smoothies, Salads, Vegetable Wrap, Monte Christo and the Kitchen Burger.
Other murals at The Hive include the obvious and striking abstract hard-edge painting with 2 colors, orange & blue by Chad Hasegawn. Follow this link to see more details and murals at The Hive and throughout Laguna.
The Hive is also known as the Arts District. Laguna College of Art and Design has studios and student art classes on site.
The following unique locations are also at The Hive:
Owned and operated by Thai, the Laguna Bike Shed established in 2021 offers service, rentals, parts & accessories. With limited hours it is recommended to schedule an appointment today! 920-349-6825
Vessel is very cool with friendly staff, a room full of stationary exercise bikes for spin classes, a cold plunge and infrared sauna. See their site and book now!
Prevail is a gym for strength and conditioning with an indoor and outdoor area. What they say “Our areas of specialization include Sports-Specific Training, Strength and Metabolic Training, Functional Rehab Training, Kettlebell Training, Olympic Lifting, Powerlifting, Agility Training. No matter what your fitness level or goals, our team of certified trainers is committed to helping you reach your full potential and achieve lasting results. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you prevail in your fitness journey.”
Next to Vesel is Flashman Cabinetry and Design. Andrew Flashman is a certified kitchen designer and member of the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association). Having worked as a Design Director for Clive Christian for 12 years, and with Christopher Peacock Cabinetry, he distinguished himself as a top kitchen designer. This location features Rutt Handcrafted Cabinetry, Miele appliances, Julien Sink Co., Wetstyle sinks, Gessi Faucets, and Neolith countertops.
Enjoy your stroll through Laguna Beach to the Hive!
