On the beach in Laguna Beach?
 

Hi, we have cancelled our trip to Europe and will stay in So. Cal. instead. We would like to stay on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, with a view of the ocean. Ocean front or ocean view. I only know the Surf and Sand, but it is over $300. for a weekend, any ideas for under $200? <BR>Thank you.

<BR>Nancy, <BR>In Sept. of '99 we stayed at the Hotel Laguna, an older hotel on the beach, no pool tho, good location - convenient for walking, shopping, restaurants. Decent beach area. It's an older hotel, gave me the feeling of a small European hotel tho, which I liked. We had the "Bacall" suite - but it was only a bigger room. Back then the room rate, any day, was $l95 for an ocean front, $l65 for ocean view. Don't remember exactly what we paid but we got a AAA discount. <BR>What time of year are you going? It was chilly and foggy when we were there, still enjoyed it tho.

Thanks Cheryl, we will be going in October. I will call the hotel you suggested. Any good restaurants with good bargains in Laguna?

I'll be darned if I can remember the name of the restaurant, but I can tell you the location. It's across the street from the small shopping/pedestrian mall on the beach block in the heart of Laguna Beach. The restaurant is upstairs on the 2d floor so you can get a table with a beach view. It's a no-frills place, but the food was pretty good and reasonably priced. I don't recommend it if you're looking for the fine-dining experience.

We like the Inn at Laguna Beach, modern, clean, with small pool, and wonderful service.

<BR>One particular place we enjoyed was Ti Amo Ristorante, little further south - 3l727 S. Coast Highway. Excellent food/wine list, ambiance reminded us of little ristorantes in Italy too. <BR>I just found a Laguna brochure I'd saved - Hotel Laguna has a web site: www.hotellaguna.com <BR>And the hotel x mentions has a website - www.caprilaguna.com <BR>(that one has a heated pool).

Thanks I will look them up. <BR>Jim, was it on Pacific Coast Highway <BR>above the Jolly Roger?

Any other good/fairly inexpensive restaurants in Laguna area? <BR>I am going too.

I think there is a Beach House Restaurant that is supposed to have good early bird deals.

Nancy: No, not on the PCH. The restaurant I was thinking is right in the heart of town, as you head up the hill in Laguna Beach. (Still can't remember the name.)

Thanks everyone. Jim, Jim, Jim, now I want to eat there. Take some ginko :^) <BR>

Check the rates at Vacation Village--ithas a website and is on the beach.

Hi Nancy, check out www.lagunabeach.com <BR>It has an abundance of info and offers discounts at the hotels. Jim may even find the name of that restaurant. There are many many restaurants in town and varied price ranges. WE have a timeshare there and go often. You will enjoy. Joyce

Thanks everyone, it is so much nicer to have personal recommendations.

Try the Coyote Grill (south Laguna Beach). Ocean view, outside seating, wonderful grilled fish and great breakfasts.

As a resident of Laguna, the following thoughts may be of some help: <BR> <BR>Lodging: The Hotel Laguna offers the best location by far. It could use some refurbishment, but its "history" accompanied by photos of old Laguna lining the walls, indoor/outdoor beachfront bar, and, as noted, "ground zero" location make up for its somewhat tired look. Surf and Sand offers the highest quality with dining overlooking the sand ["Splashes" restaurant]. Inn at Laguna is in-between in quality, but also offers good location. All 3 are right on the beach. <BR>Restaurants: Easy to find great food / harder to find great value. Downtown Laguna ideas: Five Feet, Sorrento Grill, and 230 Cafe - all easy walking distance from the Hotel Laguna and Inn at Laguna. Less expensive and worthy of consideration is Cabana. Previous recommendations of Ti Amo and Coyote Grill in south end of town are excellent also [you'll need to drive]. Coyote Grill is cal/mex and very casual - Ti Amo [Italian]is less casual and always popular [you'll need reservations]. <BR> <BR>In addition to the numerous art galleries in town, the timing of your visit may coincide with the annual Winterfest arts/crafts festival held at the Sawdust Grounds up Laguna Canyon from downtown - something fun to do and a bit unique. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps...... <BR>

Yes, George thank you for your advice <BR>and suggestions, I appreciate it. <BR>I have booked tent. res. at Capri Laguna at a ocean front room. What do you think about the Capri? <BR>I have heard about a small, obscure restaurant that serves Thai food on a side street. Good idea?

Hi - <BR> <BR>I would not be surprised if I drive by Capri Laguna every day on my way to/from work. My unconfirmed recollection is that it is close to downtown on South Coast Hwy on a bluff - more of a motel than hotel, but I may be thinking of another hotel. I will be in town later today and will try to look for it. Re: thai restaurant, there are a couple - have not been to any of them [sorry ], but will also keep a look out. There is one downtown a few feet up from Coast Hwy. I'll try to get the name and ask a few of our neighbors where they go for thai food in town.

Nancy - <BR> <BR>Drove by Capri by the Sea this morning. It is located next door to Surf & Sand [you could walk to their Splashes restarant for oceanfront dining]. Capri looks from the street that it may offer some non-oceanfront rooms, so make sure you require oceanfront only and that your reservation confirmation clearly states it. Another similar looking "hotel" on the bluff is Riviera on the Beach a few blocks to the north. They are both in the same two story ocean front older motel-like mode, but their ocean front room views are just as good as Surf & Sand at a lot less $$. <BR>You may want to compare the two. <BR> <BR>The thai restaurant I think you are searching for may be Thai Bros [238 Laguna Avenue], a few feet from Coast Hwy. across from the Hotel Laguna. Laguna Avenue is a "side street". <BR> <BR>Good luck ! <BR> <BR>

Hi George, thank you so much for taking the time to check out the hotel for me. <BR>I have found a really good deal at the Surf and Sand so I booked there afterall. <BR>Thanks for the Thai tip too, I will try it. <BR> <BR>Laguna Beach here I come! <BR> <BR>