1. Sawdust Festival
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (949) 494-3030
Address: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Description: The makeshift village of booths and stalls is filled with an array of artwork and many artists man their own booths day after day and night after night. On display and available for purchase are original works of art including ceramics, glass, sculpture, photography, print, mixed media, watercolor and oil, furniture, clothing, and jewelry. The festival also features demo booths, hands-on art workshops, an art booth for children, refreshments, live music and more.
2. Festival Of The Arts—Pageant Of The Masters
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (949) 494-1145
Address: 650 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Description: Touted as the “place where art comes to life,” the Pageant of the Masters is a theatrical celebration of the art of tableaux vivants or “living pictures,” in which classical and contemporary works are brought to life with real people clad in garb found in the paintings and posed to look exactly like their brush-stroked counterparts. The event takes place in an outdoor amphitheater in Laguna’s canyon and includes a professional orchestra, original score, live narration, incredible set and lighting design, and a staff of hundreds of dedicated volunteers. It truly is artistry in motion. This event takes place throughout July and August.
3. Laguna College Of Art + Design
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Education
Telephone: (949) 376-6000
Address: 2222 Laguna Canyon Road
Description: The location of this school, tucked among the folds of Laguna Canyon just minutes from the beach, is unbeatable. Founded in 1961, LCAD offers five undergraduate majors that include a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drawing and Painting, Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation, or Game Art plus a single graduate program resulting in a Master of Fine Arts in Painting.
4. Sleepy Hollow Medical Group
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (949) 494-3740
Address: 364 Ocean Ave.
5. Laguna Playhouse
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 606 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Description: With a long and successful history the Laguna Playhouse has been the toast of the coast since 1920. It began when a group of residents offered readings and performances in local homes and storefronts before blossoming into a full-fledged troupe. During the 1965 production of Stephen Vincent Benet’s John Brown’s Body an unknown Harrison Ford caught the attention of the audience, giving a stellar and memorable performance. The playhouse produces an array of classical and contemporary dramas as well as comedies, musicals, and youth-oriented productions. Nearby are several restaurants and lounges for a pre- or post-theater outing.
6. Laguna Culinary Arts
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (949) 494-0745
Address: 845 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Description: Located in Laguna Canyon, Laguna Culinary Arts is perfect for the home chef. With a variety of hands-on cooking lessons, including an evening program of individual and series-style classes, there is nothing that can’t be mastered in the kitchen. Class size is limited, everyone shares in the experience, an emphasis on using fresh ingredients is a major component, and there is even a focus on presentation. Date night is especially fun for couples who get to cook and enjoy a romantic meal together. There are lessons in cake decorating and the history of cheese making, in which you get a crash course in the nuances of cheese. There is an on-site cheese and wine shop, too, and Laguna Culinary Arts also offers culinary vacations. Laguna Culinary Arts recently opened a satellite location in the city of Orange, which is more convenient for those living in north and central Orange County.
7. Main Beach Realty
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (949) 715-2076
Address: 333 3rd St.
Description: Its name says it all, and this independent firm assists buyers interested in relocating to Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, and Huntington Beach. Both partners reside in Laguna Beach, so they are well versed when it comes to their core market and its inventory.
8. Orange County Coastal Realtors
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (888) 622-8439
Address: 33522 Niguel Rd.
Description: Experts when it comes to south Orange County real estate, especially the coastal regions, the staff has a combined 75 years of experience and takes a consultative approach with clients in the decision-making process.
9. Laguna Beach Fire Department
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (949) 497-3311
Address: 505 Forest Ave.
10. Sapphire Pantry
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (949) 715-9889
Address: 1200 South Coast Hwy.
Description: Looking as if it were ripped from the streets of some European village, the Sapphire Pantry, an annex of the popular Sapphire restaurant located next store, is a haven for gourmands in search of the best culinary treats. There are more than 100 varieties of artisan cheeses, flaky croissants, Arabica coffee beans roasted to perfection, Italian and Spanish meats, and savory grab and go sandwiches.
11. Zinc Café & Market
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (949) 494-6302
Address: 350 Ocean Ave.
Description: This Laguna Beach institution has a loyal following. You can grab a seat at one of the few umbrella-shaded tables, or load up a market bag with an array of pantry favorites to enjoy at home, from salts and homemade marshmallows to an abundance of prepared foods displayed in cold cases that require nothing more than a few minutes in the oven. While you’re waiting for everything to be boxed up (they also offer local delivery) enjoy an oversized and frothy cappuccino.
12. Left Turn Jewelry
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (866) 954-5338
Address: 305 Forest Ave.
Description: We all know and love Tiffany, Harry Winston, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels and, not surprisingly, all these gems of jewelers are located at South Coast Plaza. But for something with even more bling, OC residents turn to designer and visionary Judy Klimek at Left Turn Jewelry for one-of-a-kind creations, from necklaces and earrings to bracelets. And once a piece has been sold it’s gone forever because each design is a work of art with no two pieces alike.
13. Laguna Art Museum
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (949) 494-8971
Address: 307 Cliff Dr.
Description: With a focus on American art, mainly of the California persuasion, Laguna Art Museum’s exhibitions, catalogues, and educational components examine unconventional and regionally significant themes, such as auto and surf culture, through the eyes and brush strokes of California artists. Recent exhibits have included the cutting-edge Shag: The Flesh is Willing featuring the artist’s pictorial interests, nudes and purgatory, in an investigation of the 1950s cocktail culture and notion of sin. The museum’s permanent collection, which includes more than 3,500 works of art from the early 19th century to present, are less controversial but interesting nonetheless. A recent exhibition, Collecting California: Selections from Laguna Art Museum, included 85 works from the permanent collection and some of the most noteworthy pieces created in California during the past 150 years. Every October the museum hosts its annual Plein Air Painting Invitational, a weeklong celebration that unites artists with collectors who have an opportunity to add to their collection by purchasing original pieces.
14. Laguna Culinary Arts
City: Laguna Beach, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (949) 494-4006
Address: 845 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Description: Most people are familiar with this culinary school because it offers a breadth of programs for adults, but some may be surprised to learn that it also offers culinary classes for kids. Taking a rather unique approach, classes for three- to five-year-olds are “mommy and me” or “daddy and me” lessons that connect cooking to children’s literature. Parent and child listen to a story then work together to create the dish that was featured in the story, which makes it a truly fun and enjoyable experience. There are also classes for young gourmets, which are for older children and a bit more involved. Laguna Culinary Arts also offers Snack & Learn after school courses.