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242 Cafe Fusion Sushi ( 949-494-2444; 242 N Coast Hwy; dinner $18-45; dinner Tue-Sun) One of the only female sushi chefs in Orange County slices and rolls Laguna’s best sushi – and it’s artfully presented too. The place seats maybe 20 people at a time, so expect a wait or come early. The yellowtail with spicy miso sauce and the Laguna Canyon Roll are life-enhancing.

Drinking

There may be as many bars in Downtown Village as there are art galleries. Most cluster along S Coast Hwy and Ocean Ave, making for an easy pub crawl.

Javier’s Cantina & Grill ( 949-494-1239; 480 S Coast Hwy; 11:30am-10pm Mon-Thu, 11:30am-11pm Fri & Sat, 10am-10pm Sun) Coronas, Pacificos and margaritas are the libations of choice at this upscale Mexican cantina. Surrounded by art galleries, tiny Javier’s barely contains the stylish crowds spilling out the door on First Thursdays Gallery Art Walk.

Marine Room Tavern (949-494-3027; 214 Ocean Ave; 11am-midnight Mon-Fri, 10am-midnight Sat) The party’s always rockin’ at this lively Village tavern where the Harley-loving crowd isn’t afraid to whoop it up, sometimes on the sidewalk. Although you won’t find food or many marines, there is a full bar. Live music most nights.

Ocean Ave Brewing Company ( 949-497-3381; 237 Ocean Ave; 10am-2am Tue-Sun) For pub grub and microbrews, this is the place. Kick back on the sidewalk-adjacent patio for primo people-watching.

Splashes ( 949-497-4477; Surf & Sand Resort, 1555 S Coast Hwy; 11:30am-10pm Sun-Thu, to 11pm Fri & Sat) Settle in by the window and enjoy your favorite daydream while sipping fancy cocktails as the sun sets over crashing waves at this Surf & Sands Resort lounge. Snooty bartenders aside, Splashes is a great place to spend happy hour. Try an $8 Splashes lemonade or one of the $10 martinis.

White House ( 949-494-8088; 340 S Coast Hwy; 8am-10pm Mon-Fri, 9am-10pm Sat & Sun, bar to 2am daily) Serves OK food early, but come for the nightly entertainment and drink until 2am. Great for groups ready for a night on the town. There’s a patio if things get too crowded inside.

Entertainment

Laguna Playhouse ( 949-497-2787; www.lagunaplayhouse.com; 606 Laguna Canyon Rd) The oldest continuously operating theater on the West Coast stages lighter plays in summer, heavier works in winter.

Shopping

SHOPS

Laguna’s Downtown Village is a shopper’s paradise, with hidden courtyards and eclectic little shacks that beg exploration. Forest Ave downtown has the highest concentration of chic boutiques.

Art for the Soul ( 949-497-8700; 272 Forest Ave; 10am-6pm) Decorated in big, bold colors, this eclectic gallery is the place to fill your bags with funky frames, painted martini glasses and upbeat books.

Hobie Surf Shop ( 949-497-3304; 294 Forest Ave; Mon-Thu 9am-8pm, 9am-9pm Fri & Sat, to 10pm daily in summer) Hobart ‘Hobie’ Alter started his internationally known surf line in his parents’ Laguna Beach garage more than 50 years ago. Today, this is one of only four Hobie retail store where you can stock up on beachwear and surf boards.

Muse Boutique ( 949-497-7026; 300 Forest Ave; 10am-8pm Sun-Thu, 10am-9pm Fri & Sat) Fans of MTV’s Laguna Beach will recognize this upbeat gallery where beach-chic couture glitters under a sky-blue ceiling dotted with wispy clouds.

Pacific Gallery ( 949-494-8732; 228 Forest Ave; 11am-6pm) Here you’ll find gifts that are whimsical, artistical and sometimes irresistible.

ART GALLERIES

Laguna has three distinct gallery districts: Gallery Row along N Coast Hwy in North Laguna, in Downtown Village along Forest Ave and S Coast Hwy, and south on S Coast Hwy between Oak St and Bluebird Canyon. Pick up an art-walk map at the visitors bureau. Laguna North Gallery ( 949-494-4324; www.lagunanorthgallery.com; 376 N Coast Hwy; 11am-4:30pm) and Studio 7 Gallery ( 949-497-1080; www.studio7gallery.com; 384b N Coast Hwy; 11am-5pm) are cooperative galleries showcasing affordable plein air prints by local artists. On the same block, Lu Martin Galleries