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Almost from the beginning, Laguna Beach has stood apart from the rest of Orange County. The differences are geographic, social and political. And they endure.
The area was named Lagonas by the coastal Indians who first lived there, and who were attracted by two rare freshwater lagoons in the nearby canyon.
But by the time the first non-Indian settlers arrived in the 1870s, the area now known as Laguna Beach had more than mere physical allure. Unlike most of the rest of Orange County, it was never included in any of the Spanish land grants.
Under the Timber-Culture Acts of the 1870s, anyone who agreed to plant 10 acres of trees in the area over 10 years and live there while they grew was granted 160 acres to call his own. The cove-filled coastline attracted a handful of homesteaders. But the land was too steep and rocky for agriculture or ranching.
Instead, Laguna quickly gained a reputation as a beachfront resort. Even in the days of mule trails and stage coaches, inlanders from such new towns as Santa Ana and El Toro would make the daylong trek to the quaint seashore village. They'd set up tents and stay the weekend. Some would build summer homes - hasty clapboard cottages with few embellishments, but spectacular views. A few still stand.
By 1888, Laguna Beach was the permanent home to about 15 families, but come summer, the beaches would be lined with rows of canvas tents. Today, a similar influx arrive. Civic officials estimate the city of 24,000 attracts 40,000 visitors daily during the summer.
The community's long-standing status as one of the county's biggest art colonies can be traced back to shortly after the turn of the century, when a San Francisco watercolorist named Norman St. Clair arrived by stage and started painting the surroundings.
Back in San Francisco, St. Clair became a one-man visitor's information bureau, persuading fellow artists to follow his trail. Within 10 years, more than 30 artists had settled in the coastal village. In 1918, they created the Laguna Beach Art Association, a body that exists today.
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Sawdust Festival
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In the early 1930s, the artists created two of its most popular and enduring annual events: the Festival of Arts and the Pageant of the Masters. Over the years, the city's reputation as a creative getaway has attracted such notables as Bette Davis, John Steinbeck, Victor Mature, Erle Stanley Gardner, Tennessee Williams and Timothy Leary.
The city now claims more than 75 art galleries. Other than its own natural beauty - which attracts tourists and gives artist something to paint, it has no real industry.
Historical Sites:
Irvine Bowl - 650 Laguna Canyon Road
The bowl is the home of the Festival of the Arts and the Pageant of the Masters. The festival, when first held in 1932, had no permanent location. The first "living pictures," now called the Pageant of the Masters, were presented in 1933. In 1941, the Irvine Co. deeded the land for the bowl to the city of Laguna Beach.
Laguna Art Museum - 307 Cliff Drive
Founded by the Laguna Beach Art Association in 1929, the museum is the oldest institution of its kind in Orange County. It houses regional contemporary art and historical art.
Laguna Art Museum
Laguna Beach Homes, Laguna Beach Condos, Laguna Beach Single Family Homes, Laguna Beach Income Properties, Laguna Beach Townhouses, Laguna Beach Estates
Ongoing
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Festival of Arts
Year-round activities including arts and crafts displays from a multitude of artists, a puppet show, a junior art exhibit and the Pageant of the Masters. California’s finest Summer art event is staged in a six-acre canyon park near the ocean in Laguna Beach.
800-487-3378
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 Monthly Tasting Party
Meets the FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH (except January)
6-9 pm
Enjoy their wines with hot food, snacks, artisan breads & cheeses. Cost: $30 per person. Drop in - no reservation required. Live music, taste their bubbly Champagne, Raspberry Sparkling, plus over 20 wines to select from.
LOCATION:
Laguna Canyon Winery
2133 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651 USA
949.715.9463 (Wine)
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Winter
Summer
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 Pageant of the Masters
Presented in July and August since the early 1930's, these colorful events have won worldwide recognition. The Festival is a juried exhibit of fine, strictly original works by 160 gifted artists, while the Pageant is a spectacular stage production of living art re-creations.
LOCATION:
650 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach
INFO:
949-494-1145
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 Sawdust Festival - Laguna Beach
Outdoor arts and craftes festival. Watch artists create their work and buy directly from the artists while enjoying the wonderful atmosphere.
LOCATION:
935 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Laguna Beach
INFORMATION:
949-494-3030
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 Art-A-Fair - Laguna Beach
June - August
The Art-A-Fair Festival is a community of artists which gathers every summer in Laguna Beach for what has become Southern California's fastest growing art festival. Hundreds of artists compete to be a part of this internationally juried competition each February, which this year, features 124 fine artists and master craftspeople. Many artists demonstrate and create their craft right in their booths!
LOCATION:
777 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach
INFORMATION:
(949) 494-4514
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Fall
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Pet Parade & Chili Cook-off - September
Prizes awarded for best decorated booth and best chili. All proceeds to support local animal charities.
LOCATION:
Tivoli Too Grounds
Laguna Beach, CA
INFORMATION:
949-497-2474
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 Lagunatics - October
Not to be missed, LAGUNATICS is a whacky musical serving of Laguna Beach, roasted and toasted, and this year it comes in a bowl. An annual tradition since 1992, this hilarious and wildly popular event draws sell-out audiences from both sides of the Orange Curtain. The cast features local personalities, politicians, and an amazing array of talent with credits from Broadway to Las Vegas's largest showrooms to Southern California's finest theatres.
LOCATION:
Festival of Arts's Forum Theater
Laguna Beach
INFORMATION:
949-497-2584
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Art, Music & Culture in Laguna Beach
Parks & Recreation
Tours
Other Places of Interest
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 Pacific Marine Mammal Center
A non-profit, volunteer organization and education center. They rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured seals and sea lions. Programs include a guided tour of the animal care facility and exhibit room, a slide presentation and observation of the animals.
20612 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach 92651
(949) 494-3050 phone
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