Though summer isn’t officially over for twelve more days my kids went back to school weeks ago, and Labor Day Weekend, the unofficial official end of summer here in the States has come and gone. Still, autumn isn’t here just yet, and I’m holding on tight to the last days of what turned out to be a wonderful summer full of carefree and fun filled days. With this in mind and wanting one last hurrah I decided a family day trip was in order.
Artist: Okuda
Laguna Beach, just one hour or so south of Los Angeles, has gorgeous beaches with warm glittering blue water, fun restaurants with delicious food, and street art, so basically all the makings of a perfect day trip!
Table of Contents
The Laguna Arts District
A day at the beach was my main objective, really it was, but we needed to eat, so why not in the Laguna Arts District? This way we could grab a bite to eat, tour some murals, and then be on our merry way.
The Hive Laguna Beach
The Hive a newly refurbished complex in the Arts District, offered a number of dining choices along with multiple art markets, boutiques and galleries.
Laguna Beach Beer Company
The Laguna Beach Beer Company is a seat yourself casual dining restaurant. All the food was excellent and the boys devoured their pizzas, but our favorite item was this brie with peaches and honey. In fact we loved it so much we’ve recreated it a few times since and its been a big hit! See below for my version of the recipe.
Laguna Beer Co.
The Summer of Color
The Summer of Color was created by Laguna Creative Ventures to celebrate the art, music and food in the Laguna Arts District. Artists from around the world were brought in to enhance the area and I’d say they’ve done a fabulous job.
Artist: Okuda – The Palace of Dreams
This mural was so big it covered the entire front and side of the building, which houses the Art-A-Fair. The artist, Okuda titled the piece The Palace of Dreams. Don’t forget to go around the side of the building to see the rest of the mural, it’s immense.
Artist: Okuda
Artist: Brett Crawford
Artist: Brett Crawford
Artist: Beau Stanton
Artist: Beau Stanton
Artist: James Thistlethwaite
This incredibly detailed mural is actually hand drawn with charcoal!
Artist: James Thistlethwaite
Artist: Faith47
Artist: Faith 47
Victoria Beach
Once we’d had our fill of food and art we set off for the beach. There are many beautiful beaches in Laguna, but Victoria Beach with its Rapunzel like tower was our destination.
Built in 1926 the 60 foot tall Pirate Tower, as it’s known by locals, is actually an enclosed staircase providing access to the beach from the home above. Privately owned, the tower isn’t accessible to the public, but that doesn’t mean one can’t poke around at the bottom.
Note: The Pirate Tower can only be accessed at low tide.
Victoria Beach Laguna Beach
We spent hours at this lovely beach exploring the Pirates Tower, enjoying the warmer southern water, watching the volleyball players and lounging in the sand.
Parking for Victoria Beach can be tricky as there is no parking lot. Be prepared to park a fair distance and walk.
Slice Pizza
Slice Pizza located in Downtown Laguna Beach was the perfect place to stop for a quick bite before our drive back to LA. Kids will enjoy the make your own pizza and for those who aren’t driving the beer tap wall with the honor system is a fun idea.
Slice Pizza Tap Wall
Bonus: We found a pair of Colette Miller angel wings on the back wall of Slice Pizza!
Colette Miler Angel Wings
One last glimpse of the Pirates Tower as the sun was setting was the perfect end to our day trip, and with it’s fabulous beaches, vibrant Arts District and hip downtown Laguna Beach was the perfect end to our summer vacation.
Pirates Tower Laguna Beach
Brie with Peaches and Honey
Would you like to create this delicious Brie with peaches and honey dish?
Brie w/peaches and honey #hilarystyle
Here’s our version:
Ingredients: loaf of crusty bread, brie, just ripe peaches, honey, blackberries, pistachios and arugula
Slice the bread, brie and peaches and shell the pistachios.
Brie w/peaches and honey hilarystyle
Drizzle the bread with honey and then layer with brie and peaches and drizzle with more honey.
Brie w/peaches and honey #hilarystyle
Broil in the oven at 450 degrees until the bread is toasty, the brie is bubbly and the peaches are softened, about 5 -7 minutes.
Brie w/peaches and honey #hilarystyle
Remove from the oven and arrange on the bed of arugula add blackberries and pistachios and drizzle with more honey. Enjoy!
Brie w/peaches and honey #hilarystyle
Pin for later:
Laguna Beach California
Are We Adults Yet
For how close it is, I have yet to make a trip to Laguna Beach! This post definitely has me slotting it at the top of my “To Visit” list, though!
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
Hilary
We realized we need to explore the other beach cities a little more… We weren’t disappointed!
Nicola
Brie with peaches & honey sounds like a winner!
#farawayfiles
Hilary
It sure was!
passion fruit, paws and peonies
How wonderful!! The beach with a Rapunzel tower – the wall art – the food!! I love it all. The recipe will be useful for my trip in November to Normandy with family. I’ll opt for making a starter and make this dish! Thanks xx Maria
Hilary
Thank you! It was a very nice day out! I love to make the appetizer. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!
SeasonedTravelr, aka Jessica
Even after traveling far and wide, Laguna Beach (close to my hometown) is still one of my favorite beach areas in the world! I can’t believe I’ve never been to the restaurants you mentioned, I’ll definitely have to try them out when I return. The beer place looks awesome! Thanks for sharing and reminding me why California is so amazing 🙂 You’re making me homesick!
Hilary
It’s a pretty special place! I highly recommend the Laguna Beach Beer Co, it was friendly and delicious.
California Globetrotter
I always wanted to see that tower! It’s so dreamy and you certainly found some amazing wall murals here too! I’m starting to think ALL of Cali is covered in art now! Pinned! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
The tower was worth a visit! Cali is absolutely covered with art, but thankfully there’s hardly a place in the world that hasn’t caught on to the joy and draw of public art!
California Globetrotter
Only Regensburg!
Hilary
Awe, I’m sorry. But it does look like a lovely place to live. 😊
Clare Thomson
What an amazing place for a day trip! And that photo of the Rapunzel tower in the setting sun is just magical. Like the look of your brie and blackberries starter too. I know we’d like that as we do something similar with figs and gorgonzola. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It was truly a magical day out for the entire family. It seems like ages ago now…
Allison
I think I went to Laguna Beach when I was a kid visiting my grandparents who lived in the LA area. But honestly, I don’t remember anything about it since I was so young. It looks awesome. I would love to explore around Rapunzel’s Tower, and that alone would get my daughter to want to visit. Her favorite Disney princess is Rapunzel. #farawayfiles
Hilary
We went years ago too, but had forgotten all of it. It’s a lively little beach city! The tower was really magical!
Annabel
That Brie with peaches looks delicious! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It sure was!!
Truly Madly Kids (@TrulyMadly7)
What a smorgasbord of things to do: Great food, street art, beaches and rapunzel towers! Perfect family day #farawayfiles
Hilary
It was a great day out! It felt very much like a vacation but we got to go home at the end of the day.
Nicky@GoLiveYoung
Some great things to do. Look perfect for families #farawayfiles
Hilary
Yes!
Cultural Wednesday
Do you think that the house with the tower might come up for sale soon?
Hilary
One never knows… it’s changed hands three times in the last 95 years. 😂
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Wow, it’s just SO colourful! I love street art, so this is totally the kind of place I’d get a kick out of visiting… #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It was a very colorful day, wasn’t it?!
Christine
I’d love to see the house that goes with the pirate tower! Does it look like a castle?! #farawayfiles
Hilary
I was thinking the same thing!
beatravelling
This definitely looks like the perfect day out! I could feel the summerly, relaxing vibe through your photos! And I need that now as I’ve been working all through summer. Vacation coming up soon though 🙂 #farawayfiles
Hilary
It was a great end to our summer break! Vacation sounds fun! Where are you off to this time?
beatravelling
If Florence is kind, I’ll be off down the Carolina coasts in a month…
Janis
The Pirate Tower is really unusual, it’s a shame you couldn’t go inside. Although the magnificent street art around there certainly made up for it, it’s amazing.
Love your photos, as always #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you! I fear people are tired of all the art, but just can’t help myself!
Paul Healy
Oh my, that Pirate Tower looks incredible. I can’t believe it’s privately owned! What a fantastic way to get to the beach – I think I need to up my beach house goals. Your brie with peaches and honey creation looks delicious. There’s a little deli near us in London which has the most incredible truffle honey which would go so well with this dish. #FarawayFiles
Mad Hatters NYC
The murals are stunning! I didn’t know Laguna Beach was such a street art destination, we’ll definitely keep that in mind the next time we’re out that way. Great pics, and that peaches and Brie dish looks amazing!
Hilary
I was also pleasantly surprised! Much to my delight it seems that many cities are jumping on the street art bandwagon!
pigeonpairandme
Thanks so much for sharing your recipe. I’ve been lusting after it after reading your post on IG! As ever, you’ve racked down some incredible street art here. The Beau Stanton is my favourite. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
I’m so glad you liked it! I think it would work with many fruit cheese combinations too, which is great as peach season won’t last much longer… I like the Beau Stanton one too, it’s so incredibly detailed.
Bryna - Dotted Line Travels
I love the murals – especially all the colours in The Palace of Dreams, but I must say that brie dish looks delicious! Thanks for sharing your recreated recipe!
baublesandknots
So fun & the brie bread looks delish!
Caity Pfohl | The Pamplemousse Papers
I love all of your street art photos as always, and the pirate tower is so beautiful! I would love to explore there. #farawayfiles
hopandhog
Wow.