Beating the Heat in Laguna

We've had three weeks of really hot weather in Orange County.  My air conditioner has been running nonstop and I shudder to think what my next electrical bill will look like.  Last weekend we were busy with high school sports ... a football game in 103F/39.4C weather one day, and a baseball game in nearly identical weather the next day.

I swam in our pool when I could, but my arm was rebelling against me all weekend and I couldn't handle too much time in the water.  I knew it would be so much cooler if I could just carve out enough time to head to the beach.

On Sunday, in the late afternoon, I finally had the opportunity.  I wasn't disappointed.  It was a full 20 degrees cooler in Laguna Beach which is only a short drive away.

Laguna Beach is one of my favorite haunts.  It's so beautiful.  It's also a funky little town and I always love seeing evidence of the town's true character.  For instance, at the main crosswalk in town they've installed this "parking" meter.

Obviously, there's no parking on a crosswalk.  Take a closer look at the sign on this hand-painted meter:

I still saw a few panhandlers, but they were a few blocks away from the meter.

It was such a beautiful afternoon.  Right before sunset a little fog began to roll in.  Beach fog is a good thing.  Fog means cooler temperatures are on their way.

After walking on the beach for awhile, we perused some of the art galleries and shops.  Even though I'm not much of a candy eater, I always like walking through The Candy Baron.  I never buy anything, but it's just fun to see barrel after barrel filled with candy.

That's just a small portion of what's inside the store.

All the bright colors are so fun!  Candy, anyone?

I walked out to the rocky tide pools too.  I wanted to enjoy the fresh air for awhile longer.  We didn't head home until dark.  It was too beautiful to leave before then.

I think I might need to sneak back down to Laguna again sometime later this week.  It was the first time I've felt cool in weeks.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[Jack]

Laguna is nice- but too far from LA to go with any regularity. Actually I get a little edgy about going behind the Orange Curtain. Love that candy shot-taffy, yum...

[MissKris]

I'm a first-time visitor...I came via my own blog. Someone who'd visited here somehow found me and I followed the link back. Amazing how we circumnavigate all over the place in the bloggy world, isn't it? I haven't been to the LA area since 1974...imagine that! But I did visit Laguna Beach while I was there and loved it. Your photos of the surf are exquisite. I'm a beach bum from babyhood and I regret that my life is so busy at this stage I rarely get to the coast, even tho I live only 100 miles inland here in Portland. Oh well. We can't have everything in life, can we?

[Kathy]

I drove through there on my way from San Diego to Hollywood. I thought it was an adorable little town, and wished I'd had more time to explore. Next time! thanks for the great pictures. I miss the beach...

[Deidre]

I love that meter idea! that's awesome.

[Maureen@IslandRoar]

Gorgeous ocean shots. Our beach season this year was way too short, and is all but over, so I'm envious of some of that heat. Laguna Beach looks funky; my kids would love that candy store.
Stay cool!

[Erin]

laguna is the best...spent many days there in my younger days. one of the things i miss about not living in california. ahhh.
but, did get there in june when we visited.

[LPC]

So great with your new larger format. Those beach pictures almost come with their own imaginary sound track, hissss, swooosh, hissss, swooosh.

[The Queen of Chaos]

I love Laguna Beach. I have some pottery that I bought at one of the Art Festivals there many years back. Thanks for bringing back some great memories!

[missy]

It is so nice once the summer crowds have left. You can actually get around without too much traffic. It's time for a visit!

[Jan]

It's wet and cold here. We'll be lucky if we see 55 degrees. Did I tell you it's cloudy, too? Dull. Gray. Blech.

Your photos are gorgeous. Mean, but gorgeous.

[Suzy Voices]

Mmmmmmmm, candy!!! And that parking meter is awesome. Glad you got some nice beach time!

[Sandra]

I love that meter. We need a few of those here in the Bay Area.
Love the candy store.

[Stacey]

The beach looks beautiful. **sigh** Our beach weather is long since gone. If you want to see the leaves change color though, we've got that covered.

[Margaret (Nanny Goats)]

Aw heck, you should just buy yourself a vacation homes right in/on Laguna Beach and be done with it. It can be your little weekend getaway! I mean, what's a couple million dollars out of your pocket? Aren't home prices a steal right now anyway?

[the Mayor]

Hot looks so good right now. It's been windy, rainy and in the 50's here in Michigan this week.
I remember loving Laguna Beach when I visited 20 years ago, beautiful.

[Heather]

Those photos are amazing. What a great eye you have.

[SabrinaT]

What wonderful photos! Someday we will take a vacation to California. After seeing all that candy, I think it needs to be soon!

[Helena]

I would love to live in California! Both for the beaches and the sweet shops. :-)

[Sarah]

I only spent a few hours on the beach there, and I had pneumonia and a double ear infection at the time... and I STILL LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Gorgeous pictures.