Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [227]
Montage Resort & Spa ( 949-715-6000, 866-271-6953; www.montagelagunabeach.com; 30801 S Coast Hwy; r $695-895; wi-fi) If you want to demonstrate your devotion to your lover, you’ll find nowhere more indulgent on the coast than this over-the-top luxury resort. Even if you’re not staying here, come for a spa treatment or a cocktail and check out the art in the lobby and the spectacular inlaid sunburst in the swimming pool. At the south end of the resort, there’s underground public parking ($0.25 for 15 minutes) and a public-access walkway that loops around the grounds atop the bluffs overlooking the sea, and provides free entry to the sandy shore.
Eating
Laguna has a lot of good restaurants. Vegetarians and Mexican food aficionados will be particularly happy.
Taco Loco ( 949-497-1635; 640 S Coast Hwy; dishes $3-12; 11am-midnight Sun-Thu, 11am-2am Fri & Sat;) Throw back Coronas with the surfers while watching the passersby on PCH at this fantastic traditional Mexican sidewalk café where taco options seem endless: blackened mahi, pork, veggie and shrimp to name a few. Order at the counter.
Zinc Café ( 949-494-6302; 350 Ocean Ave; dishes $4-9; breakfast & lunch;) Ground zero for Laguna’s see-and-be-seen vegetarians, Zinc has a hedge-enclosed patio where you can munch on tasty veg meals (including options with eggs). If you’ve been hesitant to order oatmeal at a restaurant, resist no more. Zinc’s fresh fruit–covered version is delish. Order at the counter.
Stand ( 949-494-8101; 238 Thalia St; mains under $10; 7am-7pm; ) With its friendly, indie-spirited vibe, this tiny tribute to vegetarian cuisine reflects what’s best about Laguna living. Not to mention the food is actually tasty. From hummus and guac sandwiches and sunflower sprout salads to bean and rice burritos, the menu is varied and all of it tempting. For a snack, try a smoothie, an all-natural shake or the corn tortilla chips with salsa. Order at the counter next to Laguna Cyclery – they’re both in the red mini-barn. Grab a patio table and a free yoga mag. Delightful.
Cottage ( 949-494-3023; 308 N Coast Hwy; mains breakfast & lunch $6-11, dinner $10-27; breakfast, lunch & dinner) It feels like grandma’s house inside this cute bungalow where scrumptious cranberry-orange pancakes are served until 3pm in various rooms of the house. The patio’s popular too. Dinner is served nightly but breakfast is the big reason to come.
Sundried Tomato ( 949-494-3312; 361 Forest Ave; mains lunch $7-16, dinner $13-30) White linens and buttoned-down staff make this upscale café the very model of a chichi beach bistro. But don’t worry, just order the salad sampler – pan-Asian, chopped and roasted chicken – with a glass of sauvignon blanc and you’ll fit right in. The sundried tomato butter is sinful.
Thai Brothers ( 949-376-9979; 238 Laguna Ave; mains $11-17; noon-late) Everyone’s happy at this tiny Thai joint just off PCH. Maybe it’s the warm tom yum soup, the spicy red curries or the heaping plates of noodles flavored just right. For those who like it hot, the Fire Eater – with sliced chicken and veggies in a spicy sauce – is lick-your-plate good. Locals love the place.
Sapphire Laguna ( 949-715-9888; 1200 S Coast Hwy; mains lunch $12.50-16.50, dinner $10.50-29.50; lunch & dinner) The current darling of Laguna’s see-and-be-seen set, this purveyor of global cuisine serves succulent specialties ranging from chicken pot pie to pan-seared barramundi. For the best view, snag a seat on the patio. The home-fried sage and rosemary sea salt potato chips may be long-winded but they’re also utterly addictive. Reservations a must. Come for dinner rather than lunch.
Las Brisas ( 949-497-5434; 361 Cliff Dr; mains lunch $15-23, dinner $15-30) Locals roll their eyes at the mere mention of this tourist-heavy spot, but out-of-towners flock here for a reason: the view. It’s one of the best you’ll ever have of Laguna. Though the Mexican-seafood menu is nothing memorable, you won’t soon forget the image of crashing waves as you sip margaritas on the