| Chic Laguna Beach, the jewel of the so-called California Riviera, has long been a favourite of gay men. About midway between San Diego and Los Angeles and nicknamed SoHo-by-the-Sea, the area began attracting artists around the turn of the 20th century. A formal art colony was established in 1917. |
What makes the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel special is its princely setting atop a 150-foot cliff overlooking the Pacific. |
|
Hollywood film stars - Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Bette Davis,
and Mickey Rooney - were also an early presence. The 1920s contingent
helped establish what is still one of the nation's outstanding community
theatres, the Laguna Playhouse. The Festival of the Arts, a still-thriving
showcase for local painters, sculptors, and other artists that began in 1932, sealed
the town's reputation as a cradle of West Coast creativity.
The presence of gays was very discreet during most of the 20th century, and there has long been occasional tension between some of the town's mainstream and gay business owners and even residents over the years. Laguna is, after all, a coastal arm of conservative Orange County. Nevertheless, by 1983 there were enough progressive residents to elect Robert Gentry the first openly gay mayor in the United States. Laguna later became the only town in Orange County to adopt an antidiscrimination policy that protected the rights of gays and lesbians. Laguna today is a desirable getaway for same-sex couples and singles alike. The ocean views and landscape are often spectacular, there's good shopping and dining, and party types will find just enough nightlife to keep themselves occupied until another gorgeous day begins. A good spot to begin your explorations in the center of Laguna, at the oceanside equivalent of a traditional American town green: Main Beach. This breezy park has tile benches, a large expanse of golden sand, heavily used volleyball nets and basketball courts, and a small wooden boardwalk. Locals and tourists laze in the sun, their peace interrupted only by the occasional ring of a mobile phone. Along Ocean and Forest avenues, and along Broadway, are excellent cafes and some art galleries and boutiques. North of Main Beach is Laguna's Gallery Row, the most concentrated stretch of art dealing in town, as well as the Laguna Art Museum, which houses a small permanent collection of works by local artists and mounts outstanding temporary exhibits. | |
| A short drive south of downtown Coast Highway leads to one of the area's most gay-popular businesses, the Coast Inn, which has a large bar and disco and a popular gay beach behind it. The Inn which first opened in 1927 has recently been redeveloped and updated by adding a stunning new sun deck for residents. |
Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach Photo: TraceRouda |
|
Talking of beaches, West Street Beach on the northside of the cove is one of the most popular with gay men. The water here is so
blue that it takes your breath away. Although this is a place for everyone and not a nude beach, it's a great place to visit with friends and
many gay guys seem to gather.
For an enchanting side trip, head south of Laguna Beach several miles to reach San Juan Capistrano, the one town in the area that retains a sense of California's Mission-era history. Many of the adobe structures here date from the late 18th century. Mission San Juan Capistrano is famous as the spring host to thousands of migrating swallows from Argentina, and its Serra Chapel is thought to be the oldest continuously used building in the state of California. A small downtown area has largely escaped 20th-century commercialism. Laguna's glamorous and artsy aura continues in the decor, presentation, and quality of its restaurants. There's a budding cafe culture downtown, around Ocean and Forest avenues, and eating establishments up and down the coast. One of downtown Laguna's top restaurants, 230 Forest Avenue wows diners with imaginative New American and West Coast regional cuisine. The emphasis is on seafood: Salmon-and-mussel stew with white beans and smoked bacon is a top starter. Zinc Cafe and Market is the ultimate lunch and breakfast spot downtown, with outstanding healthful prepared foods, sandwiches, and gourmet goods and a sunny outdoor dining area aglow with greenery and zinc tables. For good Cal-Mex fare, head to South Laguna's Coyote Grill. The self-serve fast-food restaurant Taco Loco is more than just a favorite surfer hangout - it serves fish fajitas and tacos to die for. Get your java fix at Koffee Klatch, a cheerful storefront coffee house in the gay neighbourhood, with great desserts and sandwiches. | |
| Laguna's Coast Highway has many generally mainstream but gay-friendly lodgings, from posh hotels that gaze out over the ocean to quite a few basic motels - the town is also home to an excellent, gay-owned reservation service, California Riviera 800, which represents the best of the hotels and inns along Southern California's rich and varied coast. |
Flowers, Beach and Falls at Laguna Beach Photo: lucky-photographer |
|
Nearby, Laguna Brisas Spa Hotel is a cheerful property with a good reputation
in the gay and lesbian community. Rooms are done in cool pastels; they're
big, comfortable, and have ocean views - and all have two-person whirlpool
tubs. The setting is a dramatic hill; rooms tumble down the side of it.
An enchanting Spanish Mission-style compound, the Casa Laguna Inn has lush
gardens and courtyards strewn with bougainvillea and queen palm trees,
and a pool and sundeck shaded by banana and avocado trees. The wide-ranging
accommodations include a small romantic cottage with phenomenal views,
and about 20 additional units ranging from sprawling ocean-view suites to
moderately priced courtyard rooms.
It's not quite as laid-back as your typical beachfront hotel, but the formality of the magnificent Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is worth braving if only to behold the breathtaking views from its 150-foot clifftop setting. Rooms are spacious and outfitted with top-notch amenities, including glamorous marble baths, goosedown pillows, terry robes. The public areas also contain a fine collection of 18th and 19th century British and American painting - if nothing else drops by to admire these works and perhaps dine at one of the hotel's acclaimed restaurants. Nightlife in Laguna is not frenetic. Locals tend to be approachable, though during more touristy times L.A.'s stand-and-model set infiltrates the scene. There are two local gay bars that pride themselves as being at the heart of the community. Tin Lizzie Saloon is a victorian-style gay & lesbian bar that draws guys & gals for themed nights, happy hours & pool tables. They serve some classy cocktails. Mineshaft on East Broadway claim that a perfect visit to rheir bar always includes three things: great music, refreshing drinks, and a tight-knit community. For activity later in the evening STRUT Bar & Club is an all inclusive playground for savvy Queers, trendy Ladies & every form of self expression in between. A place to dance and be social. Strut Bar opens daily and offers an approachable bar setting with elevated craft cocktails and a curated menu of small plates. Strut Club is open Friday and Saturday evenings and features a weekly entertainment schedule including, DJs, dancing and a lineup of Southern California's top performers.
Andrew Collins authored Fodor's Gay Guide to the USA, the Connecticut Handbook, and six regional gay guides for Fodor's. Revised August 2023 | |