Lost and loving it

Suzie Harrison

In Laguna Beach, it doesn’t matter if the weather is gloomy or

bright. Sunny or not, the weekend can be filled with great food and

fun for all the senses.

* 2 p.m. Friday: Take a self-guided tour of the cottages and

bungalows of Laguna Beach on the Laguna Beach Transit and also check

out the 28 pieces of public art throughout the city. A public art

brochure and the self-guided cottage/bungalow guide is available

online at www.lagunabeachcity.net or by calling the recreation

department at (949) 497-0716 or Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau at (949)

497-9229. This should take a few hours. During the walk, if hunger

sets in, go to Madison Square and Garden Cafe located at 320 N. Coast

Highway in the heart of Gallery Row. It has a wonderful outside

dining venue on their garden patio. They are open daily from 8 a.m.

to 3 p.m.

* 4 p.m. Friday: After the snack take a stroll or just relax at

Heisler Park where there are beautiful gardens and breathtaking

views. Heisler is located across the street from Madison Square on

Cliff Drive. Call (949) 494-0137 for information.

* 6 p.m. Friday: Since there is a lot to pack in, take some time

to freshen up and head over to Len’s Wine Cite for wine tasting,

which takes place every Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. Len’s is located

Downtown at 303 Broadway. For information, call (949) 376-2215. After

the wine tasting, take a five-minute walk to 230 Forest Ave. to enjoy

a sumptuous dinner at 230 Forest Ave. 230 has an innovative menu with

dinner ranging from $15 to $24, a full bar and unique selection of

California wines. For information, call (949) 494-2545.

* 10 p.m. Friday: A simple end to the day. Take a romantic stroll

on the beach under the summer stars and get a good night’s rest.

* 8 a.m. Saturday: In the morning enjoy an early coffee and

breakfast at the Koffee Klatch at 1440 S. Coast Highway. They have a

tasty array of inexpensive breakfast food. For information, call

(949) 376-6867.

* 10 a.m. Saturday: Go to the Hortense Miller to visit the

beautiful garden that covers 2 1/2 acres of the upper slopes of Boat

Canyon and features a range of plants and small-themed gardens.

Visitors can park at the gates and the walking tour leaves at 10 a.m.

Tuesday through Saturday and takes approximately 2 hours. It’s free,

but donations are appreciated. Tours through the private residence

must be scheduled in advance. Information: (949) 497-0716 ext. 6.

* 2 p.m. Saturday: After cleaning up, it’s time to spend the

majority of the early evening enjoying what Laguna Beach is

well-known for -- the art festivals. Purchase a Passport to the Arts

for $14 and visit The Festival of Arts, Sawdust Art Festival,

Art-A-Fair and the Laguna Art Museum. Free tram service is available.

Take the day to enjoy the different festivals, their live

entertainment and food.

* 8 p.m. Saturday: No trip to Laguna Beach would be complete

without seeing the Pageant of the Masters. This well-known life art

production kicks off at 8:30 p.m. at the Irvine Bowl, 650 Laguna

Canyon Road on the Festival of Arts grounds. Pageant of the Masters

is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Tickets range from $15 to $80,

depending on the night of the week and sell quickly so try to

purchase them in advance by calling (949) 494-1145.

* 9 a.m. Sunday: After a nice easy stroll on the beach, Sunday

morning is a terrific time to go to Coyote Grill at 31621 S. Coast

Highway. They have the tastiest Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers, plus

the food is great and a lovely ocean view is included. Their

breakfast burrito is yummy and is less than $8. Call (949) 499-4033

for information.

* Noon Sunday: For lunch, head up to Las Brisas for some seafood

and breathtaking views of Laguna and the Pacific. Try the Ensalada de

Salmon, which is chilled salmon, mixed greens, tomatoes, asparagus

and ginger balsamic vinaigrette for $11.95. They have spectacular

views and the best place to be is on their patio. They’re at 361

Cliff Drive. For information, call (949) 497-5434.

* 2 p.m. Sunday: Next, take a quick drive through the canyon and

go to the Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center, where one can

see California sea lions, elephant seals and other sea animals. They

are at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, right after Big Bend and by the

animal shelter. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and although

admission is free, donations help save lives. For information, call

(949) 494-3050.

* 4 p.m. Sunday: After that enjoy some more shopping, the art

galleries or the beach until you pack up a picnic basket full of

snacks, wine and a blanket to enjoy the free Music in the Park summer

concert series from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bluebird Park located at

Cress Street and Bluebird Canyon Drive.

* 7 p.m. Sunday: For dinner go to Woody’s at the Beach, located at

1305 S. Coast Highway, and enjoy an excellent view of the ocean. They

offer California cuisine, anything from seafood to roasted vegetarian

bell peppers, and pasta and have inside and outdoor seating. For

reservations, call 376-8809. And top the weekend off with more live

music and an after-dinner drink at Mosun, which offers live music

until 11 p.m., by Nick Hernandez of Common Sense, and sushi roll and

drink specials. Mosun is located at 680 S. Coast Highway. For

information, call (949) 497-5646.

Rain or shine, it’s no problem in Laguna.