The Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts

Article by: unknown author

Sun July 15, 2012 | 00:00 AM


IMG_5538Festival of Arts Laguna Beach (foapom.org)

While the Pageant of the Masters gets all the attention, the Festival of the Arts also goes on during July and August in Laguna Beach. A couple of hundred local artists are featured in this juried show and there’s an interactive quality to it as there are art workshops, demonstrations, and live entertainment. It’s very popular with families.

As for other things to do in Laguna while you’re there, on the art side, you can check out the Laguna Art Museum or the Playhouse community theater that’s almost 100 years old. There’s great tidepooling available at Heisler Park and Treasure Island Park. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center gives you an opportunity to see how injured sea lions and other marine mammals get cared for. While Main Beach has great access to the cute downtown and the boutique shops on Forest Avenue, my favorite beach is Thousand Steps Beach for its great bodysurfing and spectacular views from the staircase that’s more than 200 steps.

Beware that during the Festival of the Arts, Laguna Beach is in its peak tourist season so hotel prices nearly double during this time of the year. So, if you want to save a little money, consider staying in nearby inland Irvine, which is more of a commercial area so the weekend rates aren’t too pricey.