Listening to the Beach Boys sing of the Southern California beach culture struck a chord with me while growing up in Chicago in the 1960s. Sure we had Lake Michigan but comparing a lake—even a very big one—to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean was difficult. I have since sat on the shores of the deep blue Pacific many times and the experience never fails to leave me in awe.
Recently we visited a couple of legendary Southern California beach towns starting with Laguna Beach and then an hour and a half south, La Jolla along Highway 1.
Between its rich surfing history and its crystal clear waters, which is a rarity for California, Laguna Beach makes for the ultimate Southern California getaway. The best way to enjoy the cove at Laguna Beach is a stroll through Heisler Park. Stretching along the bluffs on Cliff Drive, this oceanfront park has walking trails, gardens, a marine refuge with tide pools, picnic tables, and lawn bowling greens.
One of my favorite California coastal restaurants is perched above Heisler Park. Las Brisas delivers stunning ocean views and a sea-to-table menu. My piece of Scottish salmon was amazing!
Ten minutes from Laguna Beach is the historic town of San Juan Capistrano, home of the famous Spanish mission founded in 1776 and perhaps the best known of the 21 missions of Alta California that stretch from San Diego to Sonoma. San Juan Capistrano has the distinction of being home to the oldest building in California still in use, a chapel built in 1782. The mission is open to the public every day except Monday. Two blocks south of the mission is a very famous Mexican restaurant, reportedly one of President Richard Nixon’s favorites when he was in the area at the Western White House in nearby San Clemente. In a building dating back to 1840 and recognized as a California State Historical Landmark, El Adobe de Capistrano is something special indeed. I doubt if anyone ever goes away hungry after feasting on El Adobe’s authentic Mexican cuisine.
We also carved out some time to visit a second mission, located just east of Oceanside which is halfway between Laguna Beach and La Jolla. Mission San Luis Rey, founded in 1798 is the largest of the California missions. The grounds and the church complex are pristine!
It was now time to sample the crown jewel of San Diego, the legendary hamlet of La Jolla. Cliffside mansions, five-star dining and pristine coves make this neighborhood one of the city’s most sought-after destinations. La Jolla Cove, teeming with wildlife is the centerpiece of any La Jolla visit. After walking around La Jolla Cove we worked up an appetite for lunch at the legendary La Valencia Hotel, an iconic hotel in La Jolla for 100 years. Known as The Pink Lady of La Jolla, this historic landmark blends Mediterranean-style architecture and vintage elegance with breathtaking Pacific Ocean views. Our lunch on the patio was a trip highlight as we enjoyed a beautifully grilled piece of fresh halibut. What a way to end our four-day visit to Southern California’s legendary beach towns!
BB Travel Tips
We flew American Airlines Tucson (via Phoenix) to the small open-air airport in Carlsbad, about 40 miles north of San Diego. McClellan-Palomar Airport was an easy ten-minute drive from the Cape Rey Hilton Hotel and Spa, which is just across the street from the Carlsbad State Park. The sunsets from our outside dining table at the Cape Rey made dinner special.