Looking for a relaxing seaside vacation in Southern California? Laguna Beach is the perfect destination, and this planning guide will offer tips for visiting, things to do, hotel & restaurant recommendations, and what to know before your trip to Orange County. (Updated January 9, 2022.) Most relevant in the near-term is that California has extended […]
Laguna Riviera is an oceanfront boutique hotel on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, California. This review will share room photos, a tour of the grounds, thoughts on our stay here, how Laguna Riviera compares to nearby properties, its value for money, and whether you should book a stay here. In terms of background about […]
Laguna Beach has the best beaches, oceanfront, and public parks in Southern California. In fact, its miles of coast along Pacific Coast Highway might be some of the best in the world. This list ranks the top 10 beaches–plus whether they’re currently open or closed. (Updated March 15, 2021.) While this quiet little beach town […]
It’s Christmas season in Southern California, which means two things: palm trees covered in lights and gorgeous sunrise and sunset skies! After a week of traveling when I landed at LAX last night, I decided to check the weather and noticed conditions were predicted to be ripe today in Laguna Beach for a nice sunrise. […]
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is an oceanfront 5-star luxury hotel perched on a seaside bluff located along Pacific Coast Highway between Dana Point and Laguna Beach, and 60 miles south of Los Angeles, California. In this resort review, we’ll share room photos, thoughts on our stay here, how the Ritz compares to nearby properties, and […]
If you’re planning a day in Laguna Beach, California and don’t want to spend all your time soaking up the sun, our 1-day itinerary offers a step-by-step plan for the best things to do and where to eat & shop. It also includes several of our favorite beaches, hidden gems, and more. Having a step-by-step […]
Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, California is not a hidden gem. Its beaches are no secrets, and its beautifully-manicured landscape is rarely devoid of people. Despite it being a popular place to relax, walk, and exercise in Orange County, Heisler Park is still underrated. How can this be possible if it’s a popular spot? Because […]
This Nikon D850 review features travel and landscape photos I’ve taken with the new DSLR, its pros & cons, how it performs as compared to the Nikon D810 and D750, and other assorted thoughts about why I think the Nikon D850 is the best all-around DSLR for travel photography. For starters, a brief overview for […]
I see a lot of engagement photographers in Laguna Beach, California. It’s an incredibly popular spot for brides and grooms to sit for pre-wedding portraits, and it’s easy to see why. Free public access, beautiful ocean backdrops, and plentiful sunshine. Pretty much the exact same reason landscape photographers like me flock to Laguna. When my […]
Well, Merry belated Christmas, that is. Yesterday, we headed to Crystal Cove State Park to see some of the vintage-inspired holiday decor and enjoy a “traditional” white (sand) Christmas. I think it’s going to take years to get used to trading in the snow and evergreens of the Midwest for the beaches and palms of Southern California, […]