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Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach History

   Laguna Beach was first occupied by the Ute-Azteca Indians, who named the area Lagonas, their word for "lakes." Spaniards later called it Canada de las Lagunas, which means "Canyon of the Lakes."
   The land near Laguna Beach was too steep and rocky for agriculture or ranching, but it was blessed with two rare freshwater lagoons in the nearby canyon. The area soon became known as a resort community and was especially popular among artists in the late 1800s.
   In 1904, the city was renamed Laguna Beach. Around that time, San Francisco artist Norman St. Claire visited the town and captured the scenery on canvas. His colleagues were so impressed with his paintings that many joined him, creating a bohemian community of artists and writers. By the late 1920s, half of Laguna Beach's residents were artists. Hollywood stars such as Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and Bette Davis also built homes in the area.
   Today, Laguna Beach remains a haven for artists. It also has a sizable homosexual community. The city, which prides itself on its progressive politics, was one of the first communities to adopt ordinances making it illegal to discriminate against gays or people with AIDS.

Activities

   If you're looking for artistic inspiration, look no further than Laguna Beach. The longtime artists' haven is full of beautiful beaches and scenic vistas just waiting for you to draw, sketch or photograph them.
  If you'd rather view other artists' interpretations of the surrounding landscape, visit one of the city's many galleries and art museums. The Laguna Art Museum, founded in 1929, houses regional contemporary and historical works. Each month, more than 40 galleries participate in the First Thursdays Art Walk, which begins at the Laguna Art Museum and offers an evening of cultural activities. You can take a walk of your own along Gallery Row, home to more than 20 art galleries, or view the crafted architecture of the Heritage Homes and Cottages in the neighborhood of North Laguna.
   Each year, the Pageant of the Arts presents 90 minutes of "living pictures," featuring real people posing to re-create classic and contemporary works. The annual event was first held in 1932 and has become a popular draw ever since.
   Those seeking more active pursuits can visit the Heisler Park Ecological Reserve at Main Beach, which offers tide pools, snorkeling and scuba diving. North of the city, Laguna South Coast Wilderness Park has 6,500 acres of marine preserves and open spaces for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Or head off to one of the city's local beaches to fish, swim, stroll or sunbathe.

Laguna Beach Fast Facts

   Location: Laguna Beach is located between Newport Beach and Dana Point, about 35 miles from Long Beach
  *Total area: 9.74 square miles (8.85 square miles land area; 0.90 square miles water area)
  *Population: 23,727
  *Housing units: 12,965
   Average annual rainfall: 13.56 inches
   Average temperatures: 69ºF in summer, 55ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are several schools in Laguna Beach, including:

• El Morro and Top of the World elementary schools
• Thurston Middle School
• Laguna Beach High
• Laguna College of Art & Design

Beaches

• Aliso Creek Beach, which offers a pier, bike paths and surfing
• Crescent Bay, Shaw's Cove and the Brooks Street Beach, which are well-known to surfers and divers from throughout Southern California
• Thousand Steps Beach, home to a steep staircase leading to a spectacular surfing area
• Divers Cove, Picnic Beach and Rockpile Beach, three pocketed areas located near Heisler Park

Real Estate

   There are a variety of designs in Laguna Beach. These pictures give a few examples:

Maps of Laguna Beach

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