Laguna Beach offers adventurers a rich environment to explore with world-renowned mountain biking trails, exquisite hiking routes and stunning scenic vistas. Additionally, this coastal city is home to many beaches and marine sanctuaries for recreation and exploration.
Ocean lovers should begin at Main Beach, but don’t be intimidated to venture down either the North or South ends of the beach for more exploration – there are several tide pools where you may discover aquatic treasures!
Pageant of the Masters
Since 1933, Pageant of the Masters has brought art alive through stunning live re-creationss of paintings and sculptures from its legendary archives. One of the world’s most sought-after productions, Pageant of the Masters requires an incredible cast of volunteers each night in addition to an expert team to put it on. This year’s production, entitled “Art Colony: In the Company of Artists,” will showcase artists worldwide as well as Laguna Beach’s vibrant artist community.
This 90-minute production will showcase tableaux vivants (living pictures) created by masterful sculptors and painters such as Meta Warrick Fuller, Augusta Savage and Archibald Motley. Some highlights of this year’s production will include a thrilling recreation of journalist Nellie Bly’s race to retrace Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days journey; Chinese, Japanese and Mexican dance performances with light effects; spoken haiku; glow in the dark dance performances from Chinese, Japan & Mexico plus glowing Chinese, Japanese & Mexican dance performances plus glow-in-the-dark glow-in-dark performances; glow-in-the dark dance performances by light artists such as Meta Warrick Fuller or Augusta Savage as well as free admission into Festival of Arts exhibition of artwork, fine cuisine, workshops.
Sawdust Art Festival
Since 1967, Sawdust Art & Craft Festival is a non-profit organization committed to educating the public and promoting arts created in Laguna Beach. This festival hosts two highly attended annual events: its summer festival in June and Winter Fantasy from mid-November through December; as well as year-round classes and workshops.
Visitors to Laguna Canyon’s annual summer show can explore an assortment of arts and crafts at this breathtaking outdoor eucalyptus grove in an exquisite outdoor environment, which features sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, glass blowing and scrimshaw exhibits by talented local artists – many of whom live locally!
Festival attendees can expect live entertainment, three stages of music and complimentary art classes for children as well as food vendors and drinks vendors lining the festival grounds. KX FM community radio station also joins in, providing music from a wide variety of genres – supporting local musicians and artists while providing an alternative to commercial radio.
First Thursdays Art Walk
First Thursdays Art Walk is a monthly art exhibits showcase that is free and open to the public, featuring galleries’ new gallery exhibits each month along with artists’ lectures, demonstrations, receptions and receptions hosted by participating galleries, lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach.
Alongside gallery exhibitions, this event provides entertainment and activities, such as live music performances, food vendors selling snacks, games for visitors to play as well as a silent auction – perfect for enjoying summer evenings in Laguna!
This year’s First Thursdays will highlight an exhibition called “Art Colony,” commemorating the Laguna Beach Art Association from 100 years ago. This exhibit will trace its history through members who participated and displayed nationally or internationally at exhibitions hosted by this association as well as paintings that were created there; all to be displayed at Laguna Art Museum.
1000 Steps Beach
Laguna Beach is an enchanting coastal community brimming with charm. Its people are diverse and interesting – some famous for their work while others live the quiet life that epitomizes Laguna’s unique charm. Tourists come and go, leaving behind stories about these charming residents that comprise this little artist colony.
One such story centers on the highway running through Laguna. There has long been contention regarding whether PCH, as it is known elsewhere in California, or simply Coast Highway should be called depending on where one lives. This issue stems from its history with surrounding towns – local film student Claire Marie Vogel is documenting this rich history through a new book she is writing featuring sources including Laguna Beach Historical Society archives and residents with personal ties to Laguna’s past.