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Old 05-30-2012, 10:19 AM
 
Location: In the hot spot!
3,941 posts, read 6,722,170 times
Reputation: 4091

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My family and I just returned from a visit to your beautiful state and I wanted to make these brief observations about three areas we spent time in. Again, I am no expert, but want to see if my perceptions are close to being accurate.

We started out in New Port Beach, which I love. The town was extremely crowded as it was over the Memorial Day weekend, but the beach was still nice. The people were somewhat cordial there. Next, we ventured to Santa Monica! After driving through the vibrant downtown area we looked forward to getting to the beach to see the famous pier. We eventually found a parking spot (in a garage!) and ventured to the beach only to be sorely disappointed. The beach was crowded, but that wasn't the issue. It had litter everywhere and it broke my heart to see the litter and debris in the water as well. What gives? We spent very little time on the beach and made up for it by taking in the lively street scene.

Finally, we went to Laguna Beach and weren't sure what to expect. Well, the beach was absolutely stunning and the people were kind and friendlier than we could have imagined. Unlike at the other locations, where people avoided eye contact as they passed by, people at Laguna were engaging and a little more laid back it seemed. Our family can't wait to visit there again, along with Newport. I will visit Santa Monica again because I like the street scene, but the beach will have to wait.

Last edited by goolsbyjazz; 05-30-2012 at 10:20 AM.. Reason: spelling correction
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Old 06-03-2012, 10:19 PM
 
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Take all those bad experiances out, and which would you say you had the most fun in and why?
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Old 06-04-2012, 04:00 PM
 
Location: In the hot spot!
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mt971x,
Hands down we had the most fun in Santa Monica because of the street scene!
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Old 06-04-2012, 05:06 PM
 
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Three completely different places and of the three Laguna Beach is the cleanest, classiest, and also the nicest and most laid back. It has the wealth of Newport but none of the pretense save for the odd newcomer here and there. Santa Monica is a scene and it is essentially L.A. on the beach. Its worth the trip and great for people watching but like a loud obnoxious aunt it's best in small doses.

Laguna is basically a small town with that small town appeal and has become world famous for just that. Coupled with great art, restaurants and amazing beaches it's hard to beat and the locals both know and appreciate this and enjoy sharing their slice of paradise with those who visit and appreciate it.

It may well be where the term laid back was created. I have sat in a locals breakfast hang out and over the years seen everyone from A list celebrities and rock stars to recognizable corporate leaders stop in. In most cases they were locals and were barely noticed as they stopped in for a coffee or an omelet wearing jeans or shorts, flip flops and sporting sunglasses from any of the local surf shops. All becoming part of what we all appreciate here and not trying to stand out and draw attention.
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Old 06-04-2012, 11:40 PM
 
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Newport Coast to Live

Santa Monica to Visit

and Laguna to relax on the weekends.
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Old 06-05-2012, 12:22 PM
 
32,516 posts, read 37,161,565 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KVP007 View Post
It may well be where the term laid back was created. I have sat in a locals breakfast hang out and over the years seen everyone from A list celebrities and rock stars to recognizable corporate leaders stop in. In most cases they were locals and were barely noticed as they stopped in for a coffee or an omelet wearing jeans or shorts, flip flops and sporting sunglasses from any of the local surf shops. All becoming part of what we all appreciate here and not trying to stand out and draw attention.
Bingo. Balboa used to be the same way. When I was a kid it wasn't unusual at all to see someone like John Wayne or Joey Bishop (and others) just out and about because it was their home town and nobody cared who they were. If a "star" came to the peninsula by boat to get a cup of coffee (or a drink) it wasn't unusual for one of them to give a local a lift to one of the islands or back bay. I'd have LOVED to have known the days of Bogart and Sinatra boozing together and sailing out of Newport Harbor but all I've heard are the stories.

Last edited by DewDropInn; 06-05-2012 at 12:31 PM..
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