Donna - what type of food do you like and what is your budget?

We like everything really. Its my 50th Birthday so the budget is out the window LOL... Hay you only live once..
Would like suggestions for nice places and then some more casual... Not sure what the dress is there.

Dress all over Laguna is pretty casual - I live about 20 minutes from Laguna -

You might like the studio at the Montage - for a special dinner. The dress there would be slighly more upscale.

Splashes at the Surf and Sand is usually lovely - right on the beach.

There is a funky little place called zoolu's cafe is amazing...

Enjoy!

I didn't say Santa Monica has a nicer beach. San Diego has the nicest beaches in my opinion and you're already spending several days there. I think you are leaving very little time for LA as it's the biggest city out of everything you're visiting with a lot to do, that's why I didn't see a point of spending the nights, especially two nights in Laguna, since for you it means cutting out most of LA time, leaving very little time to see anything there.

if the main reason for your trip is to just relax on a beach, then I wouldn't go to LA at all. both San Diego and Laguna are nice and relaxing. it just depends on what you're looking for from this trip.

Zoolu's, I'll check it out. Thanks!