Travel Checklist: Laguna Beach’s Top Places to See

Laguna Greenbelt, Inc.

• Our founder, Jim Dilley, sought to preserve a “greenbelt” of open space around Laguna Beach. We led efforts to preserve a coastal wilderness area that is now almost four times the size that Dilley envisioned—22,000 beautiful acres.

Laguna Bluebelt Coalition

• Marine Reserves work. After 5 years, lobsters are 6 times more abundant in the Channel Islands. There are almost three times more fish in the reserve than outside the reserve.
• Critical fish species utilize the reserves. Of 4 fish species tagged and studied (California sheephead, kelp bass, cabezon and giant sea bass), the California sheephead remained in the reserve 95% of the time, Cabezon and kelp bass stayed in the reserve 73% and 77% of the time, respectively. These fish help to rebalance the health of our ocean.
• Laguna Ocean Foundation’s program of more than 200 trained tidewater docents as well as our marine safety officer and lifeguards will be a major help when monitoring Laguna’s marine reserve. Non-profit organizations including the OC Marine Protected Area Council (OMPAC), OC Coastkeeper and the County will be instrumental in the implementation of the reserve and provide offshore enforcement with boats.
• All current recreational and beach related activities are allowed in a reserve with the exception of the killing of marine life. This includes activities such as kayaking, surfing, skim boarding, boating, diving, walking on the beach and playing in the surf.

Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach

• The Pageant of the Masters is the Festival of Arts’ crowning jewel and arguably one of the most unique productions in the entire world. It is world-renowned in the artistry and theatrical illusion of living pictures. Each night during the summer season at 8:30 the Festival of Arts presents this famous attraction.
• [The Pageant of the Masters is] A ninety-minute stage show of “living pictures” – incredibly faithful art re-creations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. An outdoor amphitheater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won recognition for the Pageant as the best presentation of its kind.
• As one of the nation’s oldest and most highly acclaimed juried fine art shows, the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts has offered a breathtaking showcase for artists and art lovers for over 80 years.
• The Festival’s prestigious juried art show includes a wide variety of media such as paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood and furniture, ceramics, glass and more – all by 140 of Orange County’s finest artists. This is the place to find that perfect art treasure for your home or business.

Whales in Laguna Beach

• Southern California has the highest concentration of rare and endangered Blue Whales in the world according to David Anderson, International Wildlife Film Festival award winner, author of “Lily, A Gray Whale’s Odessy,” and owner of Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari in Dana Point.
• Blue Whale sightings off the Orange County coast number between 1,000 and 2,000 annually.
• If you want to spot whales from land, the best location is Crescent Point in Laguna Beach or the Headlands in Dana Point, a 121-acre coastal bluff site with scenic vistas.