Laguna Beach: Sunburns, Sketchy Parking, and Seriously Good Coffee
okay, so laguna beach. it’s…a lot. i ended up here because my van, bless its rusty soul, decided it needed a “break” approximately fifteen minutes from the *highway. which, honestly, felt like a sign. a sign to spend way too much money on overpriced avocado toast and pretend i’m a sophisticated artist.
first things first: parking. it’s a bloodsport. seriously. i spent a solid half hour circling like a vulture before finding a spot that was technically legal, but also probably belonged to someone else. i heard a rumor from a guy at the surf shop that the parking enforcement officers are ex-military, and they enjoy ticketing people. take that with a grain of salt, obviously, but i wasn’t taking any chances. Check out this parking guide before you go, seriously.
and the people. oh, the people. it’s a beautiful chaos. lots of retirees in linen, yoga moms with designer water bottles, and surprisingly, a decent number of people who look like they just stepped out of a vintage store. which, as a vintage clothes picker (that’s me, by the way), i was very into. i spent a good two hours rummaging through a little shop called “The Lost Decade” - found a killer 70s jumpsuit for like, fifty bucks. score. You can find more vintage shops here.
i just checked and it’s…a breezy 20.14 degrees celsius, with a “feels like” of 19.28. the humidity is surprisingly low at 41%, which is good because i’m already peeling like a snake. the temperature swings between 15.91 and 23.86, so pack layers, okay? don’t be like me and only bring a tank top and a questionable cardigan.
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i overheard someone complaining at the coffee shop that the art galleries are all “the same pretentious garbage.” which, honestly, felt pretty accurate. but the coffee was good. like, really good. i went to a place called “Urth Caffé” and got a lavender latte. it was a religious experience.
my neighbors seem to be mostly people who own multiple vacation homes and are very proud of their landscaping. if you get bored, san diego and los angeles are just a short, albeit traffic-filled, drive away. i’m thinking of heading up to LA next, maybe try to find some hidden music venues.
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someone warned me about the crowds at main beach. apparently, it gets insane* on weekends. like, “can’t even see the ocean” insane. so, maybe avoid that if you’re not into human contact.
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a drunk guy at the bar told me that the best sunset views are from Treasure Island. he also insisted he was a pirate, so…take that one with a massive grain of salt. but hey, it’s worth a shot, right? Here's a local forum discussing sunset spots.
overall? laguna beach is…a vibe. it’s expensive, crowded, and a little bit ridiculous. but it’s also beautiful, quirky, and has some seriously good coffee. would i come back? probably. but i’m definitely bringing sunscreen and a parking strategy next time. and maybe a pirate costume, just in case.
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