5 Ways to Tour Laguna Beach; Five for 5

Our Five for 5 blog series focuses on what to visit, see and do in Laguna Beach. This fifth and final story will be about how to tour Laguna Beach.

5 Outdoor Activities to do in Laguna Beach; Five for 5

Our Five for 5 blog series focuses on what to visit, see and do in Laguna Beach. This fourth story will be about some of the outdoor activities to enjoy in Laguna.

5 Family Fun Activities to do in Laguna Beach; Five for 5

Our Five for 5 blog series focuses on what to visit, see and do in Laguna Beach. This third story will be about the family fun activities found in Laguna.

5 Romantic Places in Laguna Beach; Five for 5

Our Five for Five blog series focuses on what to see and do while you’re in Laguna Beach. This first story will cover “5 Romantic Places” you can take your special someone to in Laguna Beach.

Sunset Serenades

There are countless things to love about Laguna Beach, but I think the sunsets are my absolute favorite. Even though I’ve lived in Southern California for the past 15 years, an Orange County sunset still takes my breath away. Feeling the air turn cool and watching the last rays of sunlight melt into the ocean, brings a serene and comforting closure to each day. Last week I took my family to Laguna to enjoy one of these world-renown sunsets and we decided to attend the City of Laguna Beach’s Sunset Serenades.

Before the concert we made a stop to Gina’s Pizza in North Laguna for a quick, family-friendly bite to eat. We then stopped in at Casey’s Cupcakes  to grab some of her delicious cupcakes to enjoy at the park. When we arrived, the Heisler Park amphitheater was already quickly filling up with eager concert-goers. I hadn’t attended an event at the amphitheater before and I was glad to find that there was ample room for everyone to sit or lay on their blankets comfortably. Some folks brought their food and wine with them to the concert and were settling in for a sunset dinner during the show.  We took up a spot in the back where we could let the kids run around, and in fact, they ended up dancing…in between bites of cupcakes. The environment at the amphitheater was jovial fueled; I’m sure by the beauty that surrounded us and the music that filled our ears. Sunset Serenades was a demonstration of the Laguna Beach “small town” charm working its magic.  And that fabulous sunset at the end of the long week didn’t disappoint either…it took my breath away!

The Sunset Serenades are hosted by the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission and happen every Friday at 6:30pm at the Heisler Park amphitheater throughout the month of May.

Sunset Serenades Schedule:
May 4 - Shelby, Tieg &Tara (Modern Vocal Harmonies)
May 11- Erica Powell (Harpist)
May 18 - Mancini/Stone Trio (Vibraphone Jazz)
May 25 - John Troy and Jason Feddy (Singer Songwriter)

By Anne-Marie S

Laguna Beach Dog Park

Situated within the hills of Laguna Canyon you will find an oasis for man’s best friend, the Laguna Beach Dog Park. One of the first dog parks in Orange County and still one of the largest sitting on 2 acres, the Dog Park is a popular destination for dog lovers and their pups. Recently my friend and I took her dog Ruby to the park for a play date.

Ruby is a playful Boston Terrier mix that is friendly and enjoys running alongside her dog pals. We started off in the “small dog” area of the park. This is for puppies that are one year old and under, injured or elderly dogs, or dogs less than 35lbs.  Surrounded by a fence, this area of the park is surprisingly spacious and has plenty of shade and benches for when a rest is needed.  After sniffing around for a few minutes, Ruby quickly made friends with a pair of Chihuahuas. The three of them took several laps around the area enjoying a playful tumble or two.

There really isn’t another word to describe the “large dog” area of the park other than ‘massive;’ it is nearly the length of a football field. Once we got inside, Ruby shot off like a dart, her legs carrying her across the grass. I think if dogs could smile, she certainly would have been as she tore across the field at full speed. As you looked around, there were small packs of dogs running with other dogs, and some were just content playing catch with their owners.   The nice thing about this spacious park, is that even with a good amount of dogs and owners we didn’t feel cramped. There was more than enough room for everyone! Ruby eventually took up with a group of three dogs and they enjoyed exploring the park together. We rested on one of the many benches and watched her play.  Once Ruby was tuckered out we stopped off at the watering hole to get her hydrated.  What a fun day at the park! We especially liked how clean the park was, it was easy to find and attracted the nicest dogs and owners around. With the sun shining and the canyon surrounding us, we found a little oasis from the city life for my friend Ruby.

Laguna Dog Park

Open Dawn to Dusk, Thursdays through Tuesdays

Closed Wednesdays for maintenance

Street metered parking, be sure to bring your quarters

After you enjoy a day at the park, check out one of the many pet-friendly restaurants in town.

By Anne-Marie S.

Family Hike

Last Sunday when the morning fog was still resting on the hills, my family and I headed out on a hike to Barbara's Lake in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park . We started at the trail head at the James Dilley Preserve entrance where we were greeted by a friendly Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer. The Foundation is dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the wilderness park by maintaining trails, offering guided hikes, educational programs, and much more.

At the welcome center we found information about the park and the plant and animal life that live there. The kids decided the most interesting part was the handout on animal droppings. Although they got a real kick out of the title, "Dropping Clues!" they ended up learning a lot. By the end of the hike, they were able to identify coyote, racoon and rabbit droppings that were found along the trail. They discovered that it meant those were the animals that lived in that particular area of the park.  Along the trail we also came across quite a few stink bugs, nearly 20 in total. The kids were like little naturalists in training as they observed the bugs’ behavior.

What else did they observe on our hike?

Snakes and what we think were gopher holes.

Black Sage - I showed the kids how to rub the sage between their fingers to bring out the scent. (I learned this on a previous guided hike that I took in Laguna Canyon with a naturalist. You can read about it HERE. )

My daughter loved seeing and smelling the fragrances of several varieties of wild flowers.

Once we reached the lake the sun had come through and we started to feel the heat. Thank goodness for the cool shade from the oaks and other trees surrounding the waters edge. We took refuge in the shade and rested after our hike and before heading back. Of course the kids didn't want to rest and continued exploring. They found a lizard sunbathing on a tree branch, dragonflies, and even a small turtle.

This mostly flat and approximately two-mile hike was a refreshing way to start our Sunday and a great way to spend quality time with my family. As Orange County’s only naturally occurring fresh water lake, Barbara’s Lake is another MUST SEE Laguna Beach location.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Open Daily 7am to Sunset

$3 parking

Barbara’s Lake is accessible from the James Dilley entrance and the Nix Nature Center

As Laguna Coast Wilderness Park's new headquarters, Nix Nature Center is the gateway for outdoor enthusiasts to explore a vast network of linked trails throughout the 20,000-acre South Coast Regional Wilderness. The Nature Center's windows frame four main views into the surrounding parklands, challenging visitors of all ages to consider the wilderness from various perspectives. An easy loop trail just outside the Center encourages visitors to appreciate the park's natural beauty. Restrooms with changing tables, drinking fountains, picnic tables, free maps and nature-oriented merchandise are available on-site.

For a map of trails click HERE.

 By Anne-Marie S.

An Art & Sea Adventure

Recently the family and I went to the Art & Sea Adventure in Laguna Beach. This program is put on by Laguna Outreach for Community Arts (LOCA) and is one of the more unique programs in Laguna Beach. It is a day spent learning about tidepool ecology and then taking that knowledge as inspiration to paint what you see while under the tutelage of a professional artist. LOCA is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to art education for people of all ages. They provide programs year- round in Laguna Beach in the areas of acrylics, ceramics, watercolor, printmaking and more. All of their programs are taught by professional Laguna Beach artists and are a great way to learn about the artistic process.

On a bright and beautiful Sunday morning, my family and I headed to Treasure Island Beach in South Laguna. It was low tide and the perfect time to observe all of the sea life that was living in, and amongst the rocks and pools. My 5-year-old twins were ecstatic to be visiting the tidepools again (we went last summer ). They love the ocean and enjoy learning about all of the “animals” that live in the water.  We joined a diverse group of about 20 adults, families, and children from 5 to 12 years of age. Some were locals, like my family, that were making the Art & Sea program a yearly outing, and others who were visiting Laguna from out of town and taking the class for the first time. We were all excited and eager to dive into the program to get our creative juices flowing.

We began by meeting with a docent from the Laguna Ocean Foundation  who taught us how to properly observe and respect the tidepools. She also handed us easy-to-follow guides to find all the species and organisms that make the tidepools their home. My twins loved it! They giggled with excitement each time they saw a shell move and discovered it was a hermit crab. They squealed with excitement at the first sea urchin they saw. They couldn’t believe it when they saw a sea star and the docent shared with them that it was feasting on muscles for its morning snack.

After exploring the tidepools we settled on the beach where we learned about water color techniques. Using techniques like ‘wet to wet,’ where you first wet the paper and then apply color… the kids painted starfish. By mixing colors they created a background for their starfish. The finishing touch was sprinkling salt on the painting for texture.

The artists were helpful and patient with the kids and coming around and encouraging them with their paintings. Teaching them how to clean their brushes and helping them shape their paintings. I could see the confidence building in them and the smiles on their faces showed how proud they were of their finished masterpieces. Still a week later they are talking about their adventures at the tidepools. I on the other hand, am busy finding frames to showcase our newest acquired pieces of professional artwork, ‘STARFISH.’

  

LOCA’s Art & Sea Adventures are taking place every Spring and Fall. Remaining dates for 2011 are below. To register call (949) 363-4700

Watercolors on the Beach at Treasure Island Beach

May 22, 2011

September 4, 2011

Adults $35/$20 ages 5-18, accompanied by an adult

Art & Sea Lions at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center

May 7, 2011

September 10, 2011

October 1, 2011

November 5, 2011

Adults $20/$15 ages 6-18, accompanied by an adult

By: Anne-Marie S.

Cultural Resource Hike

When you live in the OC (Orange County, CA) like I do, and are constantly driving on freeways looking at miles of concrete, you sometimes forget that there are amazing areas of preserved wilderness right in your backyard . South Coast Wilderness Park consists of 20,000 acres or 31 square miles of preserved land.  And right here in Laguna Beach, we have The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (6,800 acres), which is part of the South Coast Wilderness Park system.

On a bright and brisk Sunday morning some friends and I visited the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park for a hike about Native Culture Resources. Our guides on the hike were a husband and wife team, Adele and David Heuer, both extremely knowledgeable on plant life, geological markings, and the culture of the Native American tribes of the area, the Apachimine. The Apachimine were a migratory tribe that occupied land from Long Beach down to Northern San Diego and as far East as Lake Elsinore. 

David and Adele explained to us how this area of Southern California is considered a Mediterranean climate, with the spring currently happening (November).

Flowering Coyote Bush

The Apachimine were adapters to their environment and were efficient in how they used the resources around them. They were also known as a coastal sagebrush community. With three varieties of sage growing in the area, it tended to be a large part of what they forged and used.

California Sage
 

All the sage varieties give off a strong scent, the California Sage, White Sage, and Black Sage. The Apachimine used them in purifying ceremonies and also for medicinal and practical purposes. They were ground into teas for all kinds of ailments and the seeds added to soup and the leaves used for flavoring. They would line their baskets with sage to repel pests. Later the cowboys used sage in their bedding for the same reasons, a repellent, and were rumored to have rubbed the leaves on their bodies as a deodorant when going into “town.”

Live Oak Acorn

Nearly 45% of the Apachimine diet consisted of acorns. The acorns were collected from the oak trees, with families taking ownership of specific trees in order to collect its bounty. Although the acorn is very tannic, the Apachimine would leach water through them to get all the tannins out. They accomplished this by using baskets or digging sand bowls on the coast. The meal left over was then stored for the winter and later cooked and made into puddings, cereals and soups. When storing the acorns and the other seeds, silos were built out of brush and grasses.

Cactus needles were used in tattooing, an important part of the Apachimine culture. Red tips have a fruit that is sweet with a gelatins mass substance. There is also a red fungus that grows on the cacti that was used as a dye (later the fungus was used as a dye in lipsticks.)

Throughout the entire hike both Adele and David had pointed out interesting tidbits and facts about the plant life, the animals in the area and geological markings. One interesting point was about how much of the soil is sand-based, since the entire Los Angeles basin was once underwater. The Santa Ana Mountains were a result of volcanic eruptions and are actually considered young mountains when speaking in geological terms.

Above is a picture of a Topanga formation showing the various layers of the flood plane.

Toyon

Another fun fact our guides shared, was about the Toyon plant. When settlers came to the area from the Midwest they saw this beautiful plant with red berries and thought it looked much like their holly berry plants back home. They began to harvest the berries to use as ornamental decorations during the holidays. The plant was abundant in a particular hill area that they nicknamed “The Hollywood Hills.”

After a 400-foot elevation climb we reached the top of the hill…and we had a 360 degree view! We could see out to the Santa Ana Mountains and Santiago Peak, over into Aliso Viejo and Laguna Beach. Then out to Long Beach, Los Angeles, and the Hollywood sign. The day was so incredibly clear and bright that we could make out the Hollywood sign with our naked eye. One hiker had binoculars so we could all read the sign. Turning a bit more we could see the snow capped San Gabriel Mountains with a few clouds gathered around its peaks.

View out over central Orange County, Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains.

The hike was wonderful and we all learned so much about this unique and amazing area we live in. In particular, how resourceful the Apachimine tribe was in utilizing the plant life in the area.  Thank you to Adele and David who are volunteers with the Laguna Canyon Foundation. The Foundation is committed to preserving, protecting and enhancing the park. They offer hikes regularly and you can find the schedule here.

As we exited the park, I caught a glimpse of this fitting quote….

“Those who traveled before you have connected with this land in varied ways. What relationship will you forge with this land?”

Parking is $3 and a donation of $2 is requested for each hike. – this differs depending on activity

By Anne-Marie S.

Breakfast and Sea Stars

Living in a Southern California beach town you get accustomed to seeing the ocean everyday. It’s not that you don’t appreciate the beauty of the Pacific, but you get used to knowing that it is there…like that tree in your front yard…it bids you good day on your way to work and greets you hello on your return. It is always there. Then one day you decide to take a closer look to learn what this old friend, the Pacific Ocean, has hidden within her.

But, before we can get to that, let’s eat!

On any given early morning in Laguna Beach, you will find Zinc Café buzzing with activity and most likely a line out the door, but don’t fret, because the service is fast and the food is worth the short wait you might have to endure.

Above, The Quiche Breakfast plate with papaya salsa. This is a light quiche that was the perfect size to satisfy my hunger without making me feel like I had eaten half the eggs in the chicken coop. The papaya salsa added a spicy kick to the subtle onion and pepper flavors.

Above, the Breakfast Egg Burrito. Over-stuffed with eggs, onions, peppers, tomatoes and salsa was more than enough to fill the belly of my 25-year-old brother.

Above, a Millet Muffin. While my brother and I caught up, the kiddos enjoyed slathering butter on the millet muffin and drinking big gulps of fresh squeezed orange juice. They loved that our waiter told them that it was a “graham cracker” muffin and kept asking how it was possible the cook got the graham crackers into the muffin. I left them to ponder that one.

After our breakfast we quickly loaded the car to head down to the Treasure Island Beach’s tidepools, so we could make sure to arrive at the perfect time for low-tide. (Take Wesley Drive to the end and you come to public parking. The pay station takes credit cards or cash)

View Larger Map

Treasure Island Beach is surrounded by one of Laguna’s most elegant resorts, The Montage. To get to the beach we walked through beautifully groomed flower beds, benches nestled at lookouts, and public art pieces by premier Laguna Beach artists. Once we reached the water I couldn’t help but notice that we were the first footsteps on the virgin morning sand. Eagerly the twins and their Uncle started playing “tag” with the waves.

After our game with the waves we reached the rocks where the tidepools lay. All at once, as if we were on a treasure hunt, we began searching for sea life that may be hiding in the shallow pools. Immediately, the twins spotted sea anemone’s and thousands of muscles. A Laguna Ocean Foundation docent, who volunteers their time at the tidepools to  help with any questions that a visitor may have about them. This is a free service offered by the Foundation and the docents spend on average 30 hours a week at Laguna Beach tidepool beaches. Jake, our docent, gave us a guide to exploring the tidepools. The pamphlet had pictures of sea life that were easy to identify in their habitat. We found coralline algae, sea lettuce, large clumps of rockweed, and hermit crabs. When Jake informed the twins that the barnacles beneath their feet were actually alive the kids exclaimed, “Wow, that is awesome!” They then took to looking VERY closely trying to discover the mysteries of the barnacle. Jake also pointed out “crabs cove” a small cove nestled among the rocks where crabs gathered to find food. Consulting our pamphlet we were able to find black turban snails, hermit crabs, and a few other creatures.  The highlight of our trip were the Sea Stars that we had seenin one of the outer pools. Jake took the twins and Uncle to a far off rock where he explained that Sea Stars feed on muscles. This is a primary source of their diet and is what attracts them to the tidepools. What an incredible sight to see. We explored for a while longer before making our way back to the car and back home.

After our time at the tidepools I couldn’t help but think of my old familiar friend, the Pacific Ocean, in a new light. The bounty she hides in her waters is fantastic. Whether a local of Southern California or a visitor, the tidepools of Laguna Beach is a sight that you will not want to miss!

You can experience the tidepools for yourself at the following Laguna Beach locations:

Treasure Island Beach

Picnic Beach

Woods Cove

Shaw’s Cove

Moss Point

Below is the Emmy award-winning video: Tidepool Scene

By Anne-Marie S.

Ocean Adventure

Eager anticipation is the only way to describe how we all felt loading up our things and getting ready to go on our first whale and dolphin watching cruise with Dana Wharf .  Based out of the Dana Point Harbor and offering a multitude of outdoor activities such as sport fishing, twilight fishing and opportunities for kids to experience firsthand what it means to responsibly fish in the Pacific Ocean, there is truly something for everyone.

We have been following the Dana Wharf’s twitter updates for the past month, (www.twitter.com/DanaWharf) where they have been describing all of the recent dolphin and whale sightings and we were exited to experience this for ourselves.  The kids had been asking a countless amount of questions about whales and dolphins in the weeks prior to the cruise. I answered as many of the questions as I could from my limited knowledge, but it was clear that I wouldn't be able to answer them all unless I had the help and expertise of the staff while on the cruise. Wanting to make this a family experience, we decided to bring the grandparents along as well in celebration of Grandparent’s Day.

Our tickets had been reserved and we patiently waited for the Captain and the crew to ready the catamaran for loading and departure. We fumbled with our jackets and hats, made sure that our digital camera was in working order, and made one last check of the backpack to make sure we had everything that we needed. Eventually, the engines roared with fervor, the gates swung open and we were allowed to board. The boat was spacious with plenty of benches to sit on, a covered salon area with a beverage and snack bar, and on top of that, a two level bow viewing area where we would be able to see everything. The kids were bouncing around the deck, excited to see the ocean in a new light.

When we left the harbor, we rounded the jetty out into the open Pacific Ocean and began our journey. The blue sky was filled with fluffy white clouds, the wind blew just slightly and sailboats could be seen dotting the horizon off in the distance. We had only gone about a half a mile from the jetty when a call came from our guide, Larry, that there was a pod of Common Dolphins swimming ahead. Within seconds we were completely surrounded by them. You could see them from all sides of the catamaran swimming and leaping in pairs and it was magnificent. Then another passenger shouted “A baby!” and all of us looked over and saw itty-bitty baby dolphins leaping out of the water in unison with their mothers riding alongside our boat.  Larry explained that we had come across a maternity pod, which was apparently quite rare. Common Dolphins only have one baby dolphin every 2 to 3 years so this was an exceptional find for all of us to witness. They usually travel in large pods or herds numbering in the hundreds or even thousands, and we were lucky to experience them firsthand. It was amazing to be surrounded by such elegant animals in their natural environment.

Among the dolphins was a young seal lion swimming, who seemed like he was trying to mimic the other dolphin's behavior. It was cute to see these two seemingly different animals interacting in the wild.

The seal lion wasn’t the only creature out that day, as we also saw a flock of pelicans diving into the water, fishing for their lunch. When we asked about it, Larry explained that the pod of dolphins were “driving bait” or herding fish so that they could eat. This is when they surround a school of fish tightening them into a ball to feed on. This is also beneficial to the Pelicans too because they can feast on what the dolphins miss or leave behind. I had heard about and have seen this occur only on the Discovery Channel before, but had never been able to see it with my own eyes. The experience was truly memorable and something that I was proud to have been able to share with my kiddos and their Grandparents.

Next we went searching for a Blue Whale that had been spotted further down the Laguna Beach coast, which Larry had heard about from another vessel. Our Captain looked for sometime to find this fellow, but unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found.

Even though we were not able to view a Blue Whale on this cruise, we were blessed with the sighting of something even more rare and something that our guide was even surprised to have come across.

Six juvenile Sunfish (Mola Mola, the scientific name) appeared on the surface of the water. This is so rare because Sunfish are usually only found alone, and in quite deep waters. Sunfish are the largest bony fish in the world and the adults can reach upwards of 4,000 lbs but these babies were much smaller, around 5 to 10lbs. They laid flat on the surface and with the sun high in the sky, the light glimmered on them making them appear silvery and metallic almost like a glowing UFO. Apparently, Sunfish are riddled with parasites and will surface in an effort to attract birds to pick the parasites off. (http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/mola/) The fish began to flap one fin in the air and back to the water, it appeared to be in an effort to tell the nearby birds they were ready for a cleaning. Then as suddenly as they appeared the Sunfish dove back to the depths from which they came.

As the Sunfish waived goodbye the Captain maneuvered us back around and set a course for the harbor. As the kids chattered away about all that they enjoyed I thought about the incredible memory he had made.  This was a Grandparents day to not soon be forgotten. That eager anticipation we felt at the beginning of our journey had morphed into a respect and appreciation for the great Pacific Ocean and all that it has to offer and teach us.

By Anne-Marie S.

Laugh!

I was not sure what to expect when I decided to try laughter yoga. I have done the run-of-the-mill-yoga but had NEVER heard or even tried laughter yoga. So there I was, at 8 am walking down Main Beach toward bird rock. At that time it was so quiet on Main Beach with runners zooming by, surfers paddling out, and even a treasure hunter digging in the sand for dropped change. Then off in the distance I saw a group of people skipping about, throwing hands in the air and heads back with mouths open wide in laughter. I knew I had found the spot for Laughter Yoga.

I had arrived in the middle of a laughter exercise so I stood, a bit uncomfortably, on the sidelines. It is not everyday that you see adults frolicking around on the beach laughing. Once they finished the exercise a slight man walked over and said “welcome!” He had a face that radiated joy…a smile from ear to ear, bright eyes, and a warm voice that put me at ease. He explained that laughter yoga is not based on telling jokes or laughing at another person, but is based on using laughing as a form exercise and finding the joy within each of us. The practice of laughing has been found to relieve stress, release endorphins similar to the feeling of a “runner’s high,” help with digestion, and can even tighten up weak abs.

My first exercise was called ‘walking the dog,’ where you pretend you have a dog on a leash that is pulling you about. All the while you laugh and interact with other people’s dogs. Immediately everyone jumped right into the action of their dogs…I noticed some got tangled in imaginary leashes, others had two dogs that were pulling them in opposite directions, and some were even down close to their dogs laughing at the animal and kissing their faces. Of course all of this was acted out and done while laughing. At first I found myself forcing a laugh to come out, hesitant about how to really conduct myself in this quirky group. The next laughter exercise was ‘lion laughter,’ where you pretend to be a lion playing with other lions. Once our leader said, “pounce,” and we all began growling, sticking tongues out in the cool beach air, pawing the air and sand, and jumping about like lion cubs. I seriously did not know what to think at this point…I just let go and did it! I let myself act out each exercise given and in the process found myself authentically laughing. Laughing not from my throat, but from my belly and from my heart.

After doing a few more exercises we laid down on a blanket to practice some breathing techniques. I found my mind settling and all the worry of the week began to disappear. I could see the beauty of where I was in that moment…the waves crashing in the background, the sun warming my arms and face, the sand cool on my toes, the crystal blue skies.

I left laughter yoga with a smile, ear to ear, a sense of peace, and a feeling of renewal. As the streets began to fill up with people and the store fronts began to open up, I felt optimistic. I thought that they all didn’t know what they had just missed out on. I felt as if I had found a secret…one that was goofy but oh so exciting and uplifting. So next time you are in Laguna Beach on an early morning don’t miss out on laughter yoga.

The Laguna Beach Laughter Yoga club has had over 18,000 unique visitors attend their yoga sessions. They have been featured on Oprah, Geraldo at Large, Sanjay Gupta on CNN, and Today in LA.

For more information visit the Laguna Beach Laughter Yoga Institute website: www.lyinstiture.org

By Anne-Marie S.

  

5 Star Water Quality

Living in Southern California when I think of Summer, I instantly envision my kids running along the beach giggling and smiling…building sand castles…digging for sand crabs…looking for seashells…and of course splashing in the cool waters of the Pacific. But like all Moms I get concerned about what might be in that water my kids are playing in.

Then this week I read a wonderful story informing me of just how clean one of our great Southern California beaches is…Laguna Beach. The water quality for Laguna Beach was given a five star rating by the Natural Resources Defense Council. Did I mention that this was out of 5 possible stars? Yes, Laguna Beach received the highest water quality rating.

So fear not Moms, Dads, surfers, and all lovers of the Pacific, the waters of Laguna Beach are rated the cleanest in The OC by those in the know. You and your loved ones can wiggle your toes, dig for sand crabs, catch a wave, or swim to your heart’s content. So take advantage of this sunny weather and bring your family down to Laguna Beach!

By Anne-Marie S.

AFTERNOON FUN

The perfect Laguna weather for an afternoon out with the kids...it was 75 degrees, crystal clear blue skies and a light breeze. Dropping down into the canyon we pulled in at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. It’s an unpretentious facility, but don’t let that fool you. This operation can house upwards of 90 animals at a time (currently there are 42). The Center mainly treats Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, and Elephant Seals with the occasional Otter, Dolphin or small Whale. On this visit we got a special treat when we saw a very rare species, the Guadalupe Fur Seal. Little is known about this seal since it was hunted to near extinction in the 1800s, but the center found themselves rescuing one of these precious animals and is now nursing him back to health. This is the kind of amazing work you can see at the center everyday. Although admission to the center is free, donations are welcomed! The center is ran primarily by a huge team of volunteers, nearly 80 in all. Pacific Marine Mammal Center has a program that allows you to provide food for a rescued Seal or Sea Lion for one day for only $15.00! You are provided with a certificate that you can sign and pin on the gates of the center showing your support. If you are in Laguna Beach, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center is certainly one of those places you will not want to miss. Open daily 10am to 4pm. 

Sea Lion pup

After watching all the Sea Lions and Seals getting fed, our bellies started growling so we headed through town and south on PCH to Ruby’s Diner. This SoCal staple is perfect when you have kids in tow and you are looking for a good ol’ burger, fries and a shake. With its 50s décor you can’t escape the fun atmosphere that Ruby’s provides. The kids were given paper cut out classic cars that they could build and then customize with stickers. Right away we all ordered milkshakes, the old fashioned kind which came in tall glasses topped with a generous amount of whipped cream and a cherry. The menu provides choices the whole family can be happy about, including Kobe burgers! The Laguna Beach location even has an upstairs patio with a beautiful view of the ocean.

What a great afternoon we had! Whether you are local or visiting our beautiful town you’re going to want to add a visit to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and a milkshake at Ruby’s Diner to your 'to do' list.

by Anne-Marie S.