Laguna Beach

[txduck87 1021]

Headed there for 5 days late August . Brother is moving there and helping him get settled a bit. Any recs on dining and other things to do would be appreciated.

 

I’m not a lay on the beach guy anymore but if I was to do it for a day, is that a good one or another better close by?

[Brisketexan 106862]

6 minutes ago, txduck87 said:

 

Headed there for 5 days late August . Brother is moving there and helping him get settled a bit. Any recs on dining and other things to do would be appreciated.

 

I’m not a lay on the beach guy anymore but if I was to do it for a day, is that a good one or another better close by?

 

Bookmarking, will share some more detailed stuff later, but we've been going there for 20+ years, know most of the stuff to do.

Yes, the beaches (from main beach on down) are great to hang out on.  If you surf/boogie board, plenty of opportunities.  Skip most of the dining options near main beach, they're touristy, expensive, and range from bleh to good, but not great.

The locals pick up some pretty good california mexican at La Sirena.  Really good, fresh, and affordable.  Orange Inn is a classic -- grab a breakfast there (muffins are great, croissants with egg and such are great, breakfast burritos are huge and really good).

Where exactly is he moving (like, specific street/area)?

[4th&Five 41942]

from dana point to newport beach might be my favorite part of this country.  absolutely beautiful.  plenty of little communtities to check out even if you're not a beach guy (i'm not either).

[Gale Snoats 246]

the Ritz at Dana Point is awesome. 

[txduck87 1021]

Bookmarking, will share some more detailed stuff later, but we've been going there for 20+ years, know most of the stuff to do.
Yes, the beaches (from main beach on down) are great to hang out on.  If you surf/boogie board, plenty of opportunities.  Skip most of the dining options near main beach, they're touristy, expensive, and range from bleh to good, but not great.
The locals pick up some pretty good california mexican at La Sirena.  Really good, fresh, and affordable.  Orange Inn is a classic -- grab a breakfast there (muffins are great, croissants with egg and such are great, breakfast burritos are huge and really good).
Where exactly is he moving (like, specific street/area)?

Bookmarking, will share some more detailed stuff later, but we've been going there for 20+ years, know most of the stuff to do.
Yes, the beaches (from main beach on down) are great to hang out on.  If you surf/boogie board, plenty of opportunities.  Skip most of the dining options near main beach, they're touristy, expensive, and range from bleh to good, but not great.
The locals pick up some pretty good california mexican at La Sirena.  Really good, fresh, and affordable.  Orange Inn is a classic -- grab a breakfast there (muffins are great, croissants with egg and such are great, breakfast burritos are huge and really good).
Where exactly is he moving (like, specific street/area)?

Thanks. Will look forward to it.


He’s actually moving to Aliso Viejo a little inland . Yeah, definitely DO NOT want touristy restaurants. Always prefer where the locals hang out.

He single again at 55 And ready to mingle. I’m married but always make a good wing man so any place where the local lovelies hang out would also be good.
Thanks in advance.

[gernblansten 3258]

34 minutes ago, txduck87 said:

 

Headed there for 5 days late August . Brother is moving there and helping him get settled a bit. Any recs on dining and other things to do would be appreciated.

 

I’m not a lay on the beach guy anymore but if I was to do it for a day, is that a good one or another better close by?

 

You're going to get a lot of fish tacos here and there and this beach has a lot of talent and that one has the best waves. Ignore it. There's a Jack in the Box a block from Brooks Street Beach, which does have good waves. Grab some Jack in the Box tacos and drive inland about 20 minutes to Dave & Buster's in Irvine. That my friend is a day. 

[Brisketexan 106862]

If you're looking for available female talent, the PCH between Cleo and Broadway, and then (especially this) the loop of Forest and Broadway from PCH (Ocean avenue in there as well) has bars, restaurants, shops, and LOTS of foot traffic.  Find some street or paid parking somewhere, and walk it (Laguna is super walkable).

A great dinner choice would be to show up at the Bluewater Grill in Newport at happy hour time.  Some beverages, seafood, and Newport Beach MONEY hanging out there.  Cool breeze, good grub, and again, scenery.

If you're just into tasty grub, there's a Din Tai Fung in the mall near Newport, I love that place.  There's often a wait, but it's the real-deal, incredible dumpling house.  

There are several brew pubs and such in Aliso Viejo proper, I've been to a few, can't remember any names.  But they're...brew pubs, with all that entails.

[txduck87 1021]

If you're looking for available female talent, the PCH between Cleo and Broadway, and then (especially this) the loop of Forest and Broadway from PCH (Ocean avenue in there as well) has bars, restaurants, shops, and LOTS of foot traffic.  Find some street or paid parking somewhere, and walk it (Laguna is super walkable).
A great dinner choice would be to show up at the Bluewater Grill in Newport at happy hour time.  Some beverages, seafood, and Newport Beach MONEY hanging out there.  Cool breeze, good grub, and again, scenery.
If you're just into tasty grub, there's a Din Tai Fung in the mall near Newport, I love that place.  There's often a wait, but it's the real-deal, incredible dumpling house.  
There are several brew pubs and such in Aliso Viejo proper, I've been to a few, can't remember any names.  But they're...brew pubs, with all that entails.

Appreciate it. Not going there to exclusively scope talent but it’s always nice to see the local scenery . Gotta think it’s plentiful there. Thanks again. If you think of some other restaurants or specific things to do, please advise. Any knowledge of places in Aliso Viejo?

[Brisketexan 106862]

1 minute ago, txduck87 said:

Appreciate it. Not going there to exclusively scope talent but it’s always nice to see the local scenery . Gotta think it’s plentiful there. Thanks again. If you think of some other restaurants or specific things to do, please advise. Any knowledge of places in Aliso Viejo?

There's a nice Costco off of Crown Valley Parkway.  I've shopped there.  That's the main thing I've got about that area.

Oh, if you go inland a bit towards Irvine, there's a joint called "The Hat" that has glorious pastrami.

[Gil Bang 26228]

The Hat is a chain with several locations.  

Aliso Viejo =/= Laguna Beach, but you're still in a decent spot.   

Downtown San Juan Capistrano has become a foodie destination, including some kickass Texas-Style BBQ (Heritage BBQ) https://www.heritagecraftbbq.com/

Also, if you're in San Juan, there's a legendary dive bar, The Swallows Inn https://www.swallowsinn.com/ It's named after the birds that return to San Juan Capistrano every year, but...the some of the gals in there are "friendly" too, and live up to the name,  if you catch my drift. 

And, https://www.trevorsatthetracks.com/ has a beautiful patio and great food and drink.  It's the old railroad depot.

I personally love Salt Creek Grill in Dana Point https://www.saltcreekgrille.com/dana-point/ although I haven't been there in a couple of years, and there is new management. 

For a real feel of "old" California, do The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove State Park.  https://thebeachcombercafe.com/  The bloody mary is spectacular.  Reservations are recommended, and it's not for anybody that doesn't get around well.   You park on the other side of PCH and walk the trail over, or you can catch the shuttle van for a couple of bucks. 

If you go into Laguna, stop at https://www.thecliffrestaurant.com/ for at least a drink.  Best views anywhere. 

And I HIGHLY recommend happy hour and/or dinner at https://www.thefishermansrestaurantsanclemente.com/  On both sides of the pier. One side is Oyster Bar, the other is the full restaurant.   

 

EDIT:  Bloody at The Beachcomber

i.imgur.com/U3OEzdU.jpg

 

Edited July 26 by Gil Bang

[txduck87 1021]

The Hat is a chain with several locations.  
Aliso Viejo =/= Laguna Beach, but you're still in a decent spot.   
Downtown San Juan Capistrano has become a foodie destination, including some kickass Texas-Style BBQ (Heritage BBQ) https://www.heritagecraftbbq.com/
Also, if you're in San Juan, there's a legendary dive bar, The Swallows Inn https://www.swallowsinn.com/ .  And, https://www.trevorsatthetracks.com/ has a beautiful patio and great food and drink.  It's the old railroad depot.
I personally love Salt Creek Grill in Dana Point https://www.saltcreekgrille.com/dana-point/
For a real feel of "old" California, do The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove State Park.  https://thebeachcombercafe.com/  The bloody mary is spectacular.  Reservations are recommended, and it's not for anybody that doesn't get around well.   You park on the other side of PCH and walk the trail over, or you can catch the shuttle van for a couple of bucks. 
If you go into Laguna, stop at https://www.thecliffrestaurant.com/ for at least a drink.  Best views anywhere. 
And I HIGHLY recommend happy hour and/or dinner at https://www.thefishermansrestaurantsanclemente.com/  On both sides of the pier. One side is Oyster Bar, the other is the full restaurant.   
 
EDIT:  Bloody at The Beachcomber
i.imgur.com/U3OEzdU.jpg
 

Perfect. Yes , we will be in/near laguna/newport/dana point etc most of the time . Cliffs is on the list. Really appreciate it .

[closetohumping 17803]

Don't come.  You won't like it.  

 

Actually Treasure Island beach is a great spot.

[pops 7135]

Beachcomber x2. Cool as fuck. 

[BurntEyes 6212]

Bluewater Grill is very legit as are a lot of the other suggestions here including Beachcomber. 

I'd add Duke's to the mix but own and admit it's definitely touristy.

 

[Tony Two K 605]

Mayfield OC in San Juan Capistrano is good stuff.

[Tony Two K 605]

Schwack Beach Grill in Dana Point has a great burger.

[Carl Spackler 3614]

Pizza Port down in San Clemente.  Great beers and the pizza is pretty good, too.

[ImissWallyPryor 9046]

My daughter’s club soccer team played (and WON!) a tournament at the Great Park Soccer Complex in Irvine in the mid 2010s. I drove the team “church van.” Her coach is from Dana Point, so he put the team up at the Art Hotel Laguna Beach. He thought they’d enjoy the hippie atmosphere. All of our meals were eaten elsewhere, but we did walk a few blocks down the PCH to Husky Boy Burgers one night (a solid 3 stars on Yelp). That's all I got. Sorry. 

[Brisketexan 106862]

58 minutes ago, ImissWallyPryor said:

My daughter’s club soccer team played (and WON!) a tournament at the Great Park Soccer Complex in Irvine in the mid 2010s. I drove the team “church van.” Her coach is from Dana Point, so he put the team up at the Art Hotel Laguna Beach. He thought they’d enjoy the hippie atmosphere. All of our meals were eaten elsewhere, but we did walk a few blocks down the PCH to Husky Boy Burgers one night (a solid 3 stars on Yelp). That's all I got. Sorry. 

Husky Boy is actually pretty damned good.

[Gil Bang 26228]

20 hours ago, Tony Two K said:

Schwack Beach Grill in Dana Point has a great burger.

It's good, but it's no match for Riders Club in SC.  https://ridersclubcafe.com/

 

and no disrespect, but a great burger can be found in almost any town in the U.S. 

[ImissWallyPryor 9046]

5 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Husky Boy is actually pretty damned good.

I thought so, but the reviews are suspect. 

[Brisketexan 106862]

I thought so, but the reviews are suspect. 

I’m sure it’s fussy ass people bitching that there’s no inside seating, it’s dirty and greasy. Whatever. It’s a roadside greasy diner sandwich place. It’s solid.

[Baboontyme 2881]

I was there yesterday for a couple of hours. Beautiful place. We ate a late breakfast at a place called the Greeter's Corner near the beach. Decent American overpriced breakfast. I also saw the most ridiculous insane overreacting case of road rage right next to me at a light I have ever witnessed. The sort of road rage that in many places probably ends in a shooting. It was mind blowing to see someone lose their absolute mind over something so minor and petty. I'm sure it wasn't indicative of the area but it is sticking with me pretty hard 36 hours later. Anyway here's a pic or two I took off the pretty stuff. 

[Wilcox Cummingtonite 3561]

Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

Las Brisas in Laguna

Rooftop Lounge in Laguna

Malibu Farm in Newport (Lido)

Zinc in CDM

Dinner

Splashes at Surf and Sand in Laguna

Crystal Cove- Javier’s or Maestro’s (for the douchey Newport Coast vibes)

Ritz Carlton in Dana Point (can’t remember name of restaurant)

The Quiet Woman in CDM

Nobu at Lido in Newport

Gullivers near SNA if you like John Wayne and steaks