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Step into Reality. Or, a Reality Show. Welcome to Laguna Beach.

December 14, 2014 By Lena

I’m not ashamed to admit it: I love a good teen drama.

It all started back in the 90’s, with Beverly Hills, 90210. Yes, I’m talking about the original series – you know, the one with Jason Priestley and Shannen Doherty – not the blasphemous facelift they aired from 2008-2013. The series where tween and teen girls everywhere wanted to be Brenda Walsh, not for her mousy brown hair or mom jeans, but for her uncanny ability to secure at least one lip-lock with Dylan per episode.

Until he, you know, got busy with her best friend while she was in Paris.

The particular drama spurred a worldwide interest in Californian teens and college kids, especially when it came to following their (often alcohol-infused) antics. Years later, when reality shows became all the rage, one particular MTV gem roped me in just as surely as the students of West Beverly High.

The show? Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.

The series, however – serving up just three seasons of guilty pleasure – was about more than just love triangles, bon fires on the beach and girl drama. (Although, they seemed to be the crux of the show.) To us older folks – you know, the 20-somethings who lounged in our condos, reveling in the throwback to our youth – it was a chance to live a different life; a life on the beach, in a gorgeous Californian town, surrounded by opulence and luxury. The kind of life that was far-removed from reality – served up on Tuesday nights.
laguna beachAnd during those reality tv binges, I promised myself that one day, I’d visit Laguna Beach; walking in the same sand as Kristen, shopping along the same streets as Lauren.

OMG. Shopping along the same streets as Lauren!

This past summer, as part of our #DisneyVacayCA, my family was afforded to opportunity to spend a day touring the beaches of Orange County. Included in our agenda was a stop in Laguna Beach – and it’s like years of MTV fandom suddenly became a reality. Located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, this seven-mile stretch of sand and surf offers a year-round retreat for art lovers, nature enthusiasts and beachgoers. (And, anyone who ever spent an hour on Tuesday nights following its most famous inhabitants.)

Welcome to Laguna Beach. 

The Beaches.

Globally renowned for pristine, picturesque beaches, try Main Beach or Aliso Creek Beach if you’re into people watching – and perhaps, celebrity spotting. Main Beach is also a mecca for volleyball players; teams of toned, tanned bodies can be seen serving up a friendly game throughout the day.
laguna beachLaguna Beach is also a skimboard haven (a smaller counterpart to a surfboard without fins), as professionals from around the world test their skills at 1,000 Steps Beach, Brooks Street Beach or the beach that founded skimboarding itself, West Street Beach. According to Visit Laguna Beach: “If you’re lucky, you might happen upon the annual pro surfing contest at Brooks Street Beach, which is only announced 24 hours in advance when the summer’s most “epic” day of waves are predicted.”

Turn beach day into one your family will never forget: you’ll find plenty of retailers and water devotees offering wakeboard rentals, surf lessons, stand-up paddle board lessons, snorkel and diving adventures, tide pool tours and Smash ball equipment.

Shopping.

Take home a unique vacation keepsake or two by indulging in some savvy shopping in Laguna Beach. It’s home to over 100 galleries and one-of-a-kind shops – all accessible in a casual walking environment (with a Starbucks for refueling). Whether you’re shopping for home furnishings, jewelry, surf wear, beach fashion or gifts, you’ll want to spend some time striding along the scenic boardwalk or through sides streets teaming with ready-to-wear designer clothing and accessories.

Check out Sasha; decked out with a colorful display of clothing and modern decor, Sasha features trendy clothing from some of today’s top designers. Or pop into Muse Boutique; offering young women’s contemporary handbags, jewelry, shoes and accessories, it’s a budget-friendly option, too. And don’t miss The Laguna Colony Store; nestled next to the town’s post office in the heart of Laguna Beach on Forest Avenue, Laguna Colony Store is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind collections.
laguna beachArts & Culture.

Visiting Laguna Beach? Circle these months on your calendar. In late June, the globally famous Sawdust Art Festival opens its doors to art lovers everywhere, while Art-A-Fair opens just a half block down from Sawdust, featuring 125 international and domestic artists who have been juried into the show.

From July 5-August 31, 2015, take in the Festival of Arts, where you can find affordable and unique works of art. From Visit Laguna Beach: “Enjoy art workshops, several dining options, guided art tours, nightly musical entertainment and hands-on demonstrations. Special art-related attractions and events, such as jazz concerts, wine and chocolate pairings, art discussions, cooking demonstrations and activities for children, provide entertainment for all.” Click here for a full list of Laguna Beach Art Festivals.

Consider Laguna Beach an essential stop on your California Beach Vacay. Just a 30-minute drive from Disneyland Resort, it’s a great option if you’re looking to tack on a bona fide beach day or two. Beachfront hotels are available to suit all budgets and travellers.

And for this gal, who loves a good Californian teen drama, it’s the perfect way to live on the other side, if even just for a day.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: #DisneyVacayCA, laguna beach, Orange County, Southern California beaches

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cheryl

    December 14, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    I no longer feel alone. Finally, another adult that will actually admit to watching some of those teen reality programs on MTV! I no longer feel the need to hide my head in shame when I admit that I know who Lauren Conrad, Heidi Montag and the rest of the crew are.

    We were in Laguna Beach in March of 2013 and we loved it! My son was 22 months old at the time and had never been to a beach. We quickly discovered that he is a total beach bum. We had to pop into one of those shops to buy him new clothes after he kept running into the ocean to splash around.

    The beaches are beautiful, the scenery is breathtaking and the food is amazing. Next time we go, I’ll have to check out more of the boutiques and shops…if I can get our little beach bum out of the water long enough for shopping.

    • Lena

      December 14, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      Laguna Beach fans UNITE!!! I know of the exact shops you’re speaking about, and can just picture the beach now :) It truly is one of the best places on earth!

  2. loucheryl

    December 14, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    Laguna Beach looks beautiful! I would love to visit it one day.

    • Lena

      December 14, 2014 at 9:22 pm

      Hope you can get there Cheryl!

  3. MrDisco

    December 14, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    i would be all over the shopping

    • Lena

      December 14, 2014 at 10:58 pm

      You would love it! So unique!

  4. Yuen C

    December 14, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    Wow I would love to visit one day!

    • Lena

      December 14, 2014 at 10:58 pm

      Definitely! Hope you have a chance to!

  5. Holly

    December 14, 2014 at 11:14 pm

    Wow, it really is pretty there. I’d love to visit California some day. I have a few friends that live out there. I should take advantage of that and make plans to visit :)

    • Lena

      December 14, 2014 at 11:49 pm

      You definitely should Holly!

  6. Jolee

    December 15, 2014 at 6:09 am

    I remember your post on the Ritz Carlton in Laguna which I thought was great, and now here are more reasons to visit! One day……..

    • Lena

      December 15, 2014 at 7:14 am

      So glad you remember the post! Hope you plan a visit!

  7. sarah sar

    December 15, 2014 at 6:42 am

    Looks absolutely stunning there! Well, I say that about any place that has sun really. Haha can you tell I’m looking for an escape away from Canadian winters?

    • Lena

      December 15, 2014 at 7:15 am

      I don’t blame you!!! The weather in Cali right now is splendid :)

  8. Carlee

    December 15, 2014 at 7:14 am

    Calgon take me away!!! This looks amazing, and I watched every single episode of the show so you don’t even worry about that!

    • Lena

      December 15, 2014 at 7:16 am

      Hahaha awesome!!! I was You Tubing some clips last night :)

  9. Stephanie LaPlante

    December 15, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    That beach looks heavenly! I definitely pass on the drama though. lol

    • Lena

      December 17, 2014 at 1:30 pm

      Ha! But then life wouldn’t be as interesting!

  10. Melinda L.

    December 18, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Ah the beaches, the shopping and the drama…. oooo takes me back to those early TV days.

  11. Judy Cowan

    December 19, 2014 at 10:25 am

    Laguna Beach looks beautiful! Would love to visit the area one day! Now to just win the lottery so I can do all the travelling I want to do…lol!

  12. Joan G.

    December 24, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Been there 40 years ago – time to make another visit.

  13. Margaret Imecs

    January 7, 2015 at 11:42 am

    Wow! Beautiful place! I would love to visit one day.

  14. Victoria Ess

    January 18, 2015 at 9:11 am

    This looks like a beautiful place to be!

  15. Kristy Reid

    January 27, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    I was a sucker for 90210 too. Loved that show. I would so love to be in California right now.

  16. Lindsay O

    March 11, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    I loved 90210. I even had the Brenda and Dylan dolls! I also loved Laguna Beach. The drama. Ha.

  17. kathy downey

    June 26, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    Laguna Beach looks beautiful,would love to visit there someday!

  18. kathy downey

    June 28, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    I’d love to visit California some day,I have never been outside Canada…

  19. kathy downey

    January 5, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    We have decided to drive across Canada this summer and maybe in another 2018 we plan to visit California

  20. Debbie White Beattie

    March 9, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    This looks and sounds like an amazingly beautiful place and I would love to go there but until the exchange rate gets better this birds wings are clipped

  21. kathy downey

    September 14, 2017 at 11:24 am

    I’d love to visit laguna beach some day.

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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