guide to laguna beach & newport
—bj’s pizza: right across from main beach in downtown laguna, we always eat here once or twice. go order the deep dish BBQ Chicken, and make SURE to get a pizzokie. best!!
—beachcomber: favorite breakfast. coconut macadamia pancakes, fritatta, beignets. make a reservation or go early! down in crystal cove, this place is special.
—scandia bakery: this place is a feast for the eyes. you have to walk in and take it all in…and get an eclair…and maybe a raspberry tart…
—salt creek grille: we love this dana point location. the fire pits are my favorite! it’s a cozy comfort food dinner … love the french dip, tomato soup, the fish, and all of the yummy signature sides. also, you might want to get the butterscotch custard with salted caramel for dessert…just saying.
—banzai bowls: if you want to enjoy a HUUGEE, amazing acai bowl on the beach, this is your place. yum-o.
—tortilla republic: this relative newcomer to laguna beach is highly recommended by us. it’s gourmet mexican food and you need to have a lunch or dinner here for sure! try the enchiladas suizas and horchata cheesecake please!
—c’est la vie: i can’t pass up this darling little french restaurant right by the beach. it’s a tad overpriced, but go sit on the patio and at least get a big croissant or a french onion soup.
—art for the soul: i can’t visit laguna without stopping into this store. it’s packed with the cutest quotes, art, books, signs, etc. so eclectic and darling! there’s a location in balboa too!
—downtown laguna: i can’t even list out all the boutiques and home stores i love in laguna…you just have to promise to wander through downtown…in and out of the art galleries, candy stores, and darling shops. some of my favorite purchases have been made in LB!
—montage laguna beach: there are lots of great places to stay in laguna, but i have to list the best of the best. it’s a pretty penny, but it’s one of my favorite hotels i’ve ever seen in my life. even if you don’t stay, go see it and wander the grounds. gorgeous.
—true food kitchen: new discovery in newport right at fashion island. this place is pretty much my dream and i could eat there every day if i lived by it. first off, all of their “natural refreshment” drinks. honey lemonade. kale-aid. bright eyes. obsession with all of them. the farmer’s market salad, kale crunch salad, i could go on and on..but i’ll stop. just go.
—marriott’s newport coast villas: we’ve stayed in so many different places in newport, but just stayed here and loved it. it offers everything and even shuttles to the beaches. it’s gorgeous and we recommend it. it’s also fun to stay in newport in a beach house on the boardwalk of course!