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Attractions, Entertainment, and Points of Interests
Laguna Beach History
Laguna Beach has always attracted artists who were inspired by the sea. It was probably inevitable that it would eventually become known as an "artist colony". In 1917 there was a resident community of 40 artists. Their interest in capturing the shifting California colors along the bays and cliffs produced a style that is now labeled California Impressionism. The by product of this community is the art galleries that fill the town.
For years Laguna Beach had an official welcoming committee-a committee of one, that is. "The Greeter" as he was affectionately known around these parts, was a old gentleman by the name of Eiler Larsen, a Dane with hair below his shoulders and a great, gray beard. He usually stood around the corner of Forest Ave and PCH, waving to everyone as they zipped past along the highway. Eventually, the city council proclaimed Larsen as the Official Greeter. He is gone, but not forgotten, as he is now immortalized in two statues, one at the Greeter's Restaurant, another in front of the Pottery Shack. The Greeter symbolizes welcome feeling that people sense when they come to Laguna Beach. A new greeter, Mr. Number One Archer, has been welcoming folks to Laguna Beach since 1981 in the same spot as Larsen. He always has a kind word for people who walk or motor by, and says he's just carrying on the tradition.
When Hollywood "discovered" the scenic beauty of Laguna, may of the big stars kept homes here: Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Judy Garland, Bette Davis, Rudolph Valentino. Today's stars, such as Bette Midler, have homes here as well. Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin also lives in Laguna Beach.
Dog Park
Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA
Directions-From PCH in Laguna Beach, take Broadway inland(which becomes Laguna Canyon Rd)
for two miles and look for the park behind a chain link fence on you right. From Irvine or
Laguna Hills take Laguna Canyon Rd toward PCH and the park will be about one half mile
past El Toro Rd.
This is just what its name says-a park for your dog. A local utility company loaned two
grassy acres to the city for this purpose, so now people come here daily so their dogs can
run and romp with their four legged friends. Here you can let your pooch off the leash to
just go wild doing what dogs like to do. The dogs love playing with each other, and the
contrast in sizes and breeds is fun to see. This place is also a popular place for local
dog owners to meet other local dog owners. Everyone cleans up their own dog's mess, and
litter bags and receptacles are handily provided at the entrance of the gate.
Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center
20612 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA
Information (949) 494-3050
Hours Daily 7am-4pm
Admission-Donation
This is a hospital for sick and injured marine mammals and birds. This is an excellent
place to witness how animals are nursed back to health. However, if you are taking
children, be aware that some of these animals have been harmed by fishing activity and
other man caused events, so they may be maimed and sad to see. Tours are given to groups
of five or more, but you must call ahead first.
Hortense Miller Garden
505 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA
Information (949) 497-0716
Hours Wednesday through Saturday, 10am, by appointment only
This three acre garden is located on private property and is therefore only open to
special tours arranged, two weeks in advance. The many varieties of plants here include
native ones such as coastal sage, poppies and bougainvillaeas. The garden is located about
town on the slopes of Boat Canyon with a great view of the Pacific Ocean. Because it is
planted on a steep slope, the tour is not open to children and has no wheelchair access.
Divers Cove
Foot of Cliff Drive
Just below Cliff Drive Cove, the most popular of several offshore spots for divers. Divers
claim this is one of the best places in all of Southern California to see the beautiful
coastal shelf environment. This area is now an ecological reserve, and nothing may be
disturbed or taken.
Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters-Irvine Bowl
650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, Ca
(949) 494-1145
Hours: Festival of Arts 10am-11pm-Pageant of the Masters 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
Admission:$12-$38 Dollars
This internationally famous event is held from the second week in July through August in
Laguna Canyon. Founded in 1933, the Festival of Arts celebrates Laguna Beach's dedication
to all artistic pursuits, and its most dramatic effect is called the Pageant of the
Masters. The Pageant presents real, live models posing in the midst of life size
recreations of famous art. The experience is something you will never forget. You will be
amazed how with costumes, lights and other effects they are able to create these three-
dimensional scenes. The Last Supper is the local favorite and has become the traditional
piece of art that is used in the show's finale.
Before and after the Pageant show the visitors enjoy the arts and crafts of more than 100
exhibitors on hand during the daily Festival of Arts. Local artisans offer all manner of
jewelry, fine art, and photographs, as well as giving classes for children and adults.
There is a section for local children school art work, that gives you a view of our future
artists. This display is also open to those who don't wish to attend the pageant, but wish
to see the local display of art work.
The Irvine Bowl, where the festival is held, is a short distance from Main Beach up Laguna
Canyon Rd. The bowl is also host to outdoor concerts during the summer months.
Sawdust Festival
935 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, Ca
(949) 494-3030
Hours: Daily 10am to 10pm,11pm Friday and Saturday.
Held from the beginning of July through the end of August.
Admission: $4 for adult, $3 seniors, under 12 free
This outdoor festival of handmade arts and crafts is just a little father up Laguna Canyon
from the Irvine Bowl. Each artist sets up a customized booth where they will make, display
and sell their creations to customers who amble along the sawdust path. There are usually
around 200 exhibitors, so you're bound to see the full range of creative arts and crafts,
sculpture, jewelry, musical instruments, pottery, dolls, glassblowing, leather,
printmaking, and even mental working and stonecutting. The grounds have been turned into a
patchwork of theme gardens with waterfalls and exotic plants. Musicians play everything
from bluegrass to Hawaiian and New Age Music, while jugglers and magicians keep the crowds
amused. Food and beverages are also sold.
Art-A-Fair
777 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, Ca
(949) 494-4514
Hours 10am-10pm
Admission $2.50-$3.50
The Art-A-Fair primarily features professional artists offering classes in painting. It
runs concurrently with the Festival of Arts and the Sawdust Festival. The fair sponsors
visits by children from the Make a Wish Foundation, and the paintings created by these
children are sold at auction for charity. The Art-A-Fair also features about 150
exhibitors.
Art Institute of Southern California
2222 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 497-3309
Stop by this community art center to get a view of its gallery of new works and the
sculpture garden. The Art Institute is a fully accredited college of art and design, but
it also offers community education classes to the local children, adults and seniors.
Laguna Beach Art Museum
307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, Ca
(949) 494-6531
Hours-Tuesday through Sunday 11am-5pm
Admission Adults $5, Students and Seniors $4, children under 12 free.
Inside, the rotating exhibits of modern art and photography are distinctive and handsomely
displayed. This is a nice way to get away from the busy traffic of PCH while checking out
tomorrow's art horizons.
The Laguna Beach Playhouse
606 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 497-9244
The Laguna Beach Playhouse is the home of the oldest continuously operating theater
company on the West Coast. Founded in 1920, the Laguna Beach thespians always offer a wide
range of drama, musical theater and comedy. The Moulton Theater has 12 Orchestra rows and
three mezzanine rows, providing great sight-lines and acoustics for the entire audience.
One performance of each play is signed for the hearing impaired and the playhouse is
equipped with a Sennheiser listening system for the hard of hearing. The Laguna Playhouse
season is September to June.
Shopping in and around Laguna Beach
The Pottery Shack
1212 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 494-1141
The Pottery Shack is a favorite place to shop for new tableware, from southwestern style
to old English patterns. Mugs, plates, serving dishes, salt and pepper shakers and all
sorts of glassware are sold here. The store is a series of interconnected rooms where it
is easy to lose your way. Part of the Laguna Experience!
Laguna Village
Corner of Legion Street and PCH, Laguna Beach, Ca
These little shops clustered next to this cliff side view feature pottery, sculpture,
paintings, jewelry and other gifts. There's also a flower stand next to the tiny dirt
parking lot.
Sherwood Gallery
460 Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 497-2668
One of the funniest art galleries in all of Laguna Beach, featuring sculpture and
paintings that are so outrageous that it is impossible to describe them. Definitely a
shopping experience!
Club Postnuclear
775 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 497-3881
Local Night Club
The White House
340 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 494-8088
Local Night Club
