Hello there....

My girlfriend and I will be in California in May. We have heard great things about Laguna Beach and have 1 day/night to stay. Sort of on a budget but want to stay near the beach. What else to do there? Restaurant suggestions??? Have been told to eat at Las Brisas... any comments??

Thanks so much,

Jim

Hi Jim,

My first suggestion would be to stay for more than one day (I live nearby and it's my favorite "picturesque" beach)...but re Las Brisas. It has a nice atmosphere and is very "yuppy" oriented, overpriced, food just OK, but good views. I would go there for a drink in the evening. For a casual setting right down the street is the Laguna Hotel also located right on the beach, inside and outside dining. More casual on the patio. I've never stayed there but it is kind of a landmark. Not really much to do - it's kind of an artsy area if you just want to walk around but be sure to take a drive along the coast. Go north on Pacific Coast Highway toward Newport Beach and if you make it to Huntington Beach at Main St. (about 45 minutes) it has a fun atmosphere with lots of people, restaurants, live music at night. Have fun!

For the mother of all cocktails you could go to the Royal Hawaiian up the street from Las Brisas and have a goldfish bowl-sized Lapu Lapu. After 3/4 of it has been drained down your gullet the blowfish lamp motif will start to look sort of tasteful. Next will be hallucinations of hula girls. Watch their hands---they tell a story. They are saying, "don't drive home, walk."

Thank you both very much. Stacy, it must be wonderful to live in such a terrific area. We are actually going to be coming down from San Fran to San Diego over 4 days. We are staying in Carmel, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Beach 3 of the nights and one in the L.A. area. We were looking at Santa Monica. Are you familiar with that area? Any suggestions as far as towns, beaches, restaurants in SM or LA-area?

Thanks again.....

As for the other note.... I think I will definitely be trying a Lapu Lapu!!!

Jim

Just one caveat about Laguna Beach--the traffic noise can be considerable as the coast highway goes right through town. If you're a light sleeper, make sure you're not on the road side. There are several nice little restaurants in the "downtown" area. Lots of art galleries to explore and a wonderful beach. It's such a real southern California beach town that it deserves a day of your time. Farther down the coast on the way to San Diego, you might want to stop at Mission San Juan Capistrano of the swallows fame. Pretty mission and great Mexican restaurant just across the street from the mission.

I agree that Las Brisas has good but not great food but I would recommend that you eat there. The atmosphere and the views are special. I particularly like the outside patio where you can really enjoy the location, eat some good food but avoid the more formal dining inside. i can't help you with budget hotels as Laguna does not cater to budget. You should check out the Surf and Sand Hotel. Its very popular.

Thanks again.... any other suggestions for hotels?

Jim-Another vote for Surf-n-Sand-it's expensive, but worth it. Have fun!

Splashes is a great restaurant. Its in the bottom of the surf and Sea hotel, and the windows are right on the beach. Kinda pricey though, about $100/person.