Diane Armitage
21-year Laguna Beach resident &
absolute devotee of this amazing town.
Here our thousands of insider tips and
recommendations
for all the best places
to dine, drink and play in
LAGUNA BEACH
Best Food & Drink

Best Mother’s Day Buffets and Dining in Laguna Beach – May 8, 2022
My Mom LOVES Laguna Beach. (And I so love my Mom. The photo is us when I was about 8.) There's no place she would rather be on Mother's Day than here in Laguna Beach. So, by default, I'm sure your mothers all feel the same. Fortunately, there are a number of Laguna...

Red Dragon Restaurant Finally Flying
After years of delay, the Red Dragon restaurant in the former Mosun/Club M space, has received its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approval from Laguna's Planning Commission. The April 26th vote approved the CUP, design review, a Coastal Development permit and a few...
Upcoming Events & News

46th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade: Dec. 10th – 12th, 2021
Far closer than the Newport Boat Parade and a heck of a lot more . . . creative, the 46th Annual "Fiesta" Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights happily returns Friday, Dec. 10th through Sunday, Dec. 12th. The parade kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at...

Winter Fantasy Festival Opens This Weekend, Nov. 20, 2021
I love the Winter Fantasy Festival at Sawdust more than our summer affair, the Sawdust Art Festival (which I happen to like a lot). This year, it's back in full swing and opening on Saturday Nov. 20th for FIVE full weekends. Aside from 150 artists’ booths in this cool...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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Best Food & Drink

Pumpkin Jumps Into Menus
As we all scream toward Halloween and the surprising arrival of November, this week's gentle reminder of Thursday’s (Oct. 21st) "National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day" and Tuesday’s (Oct. 26th) “National Pumpkin Day” prompted me into fast action. We have some ripe pumpkins...

Everything’s Coming Up Halloween
As we all scream toward Halloween and the surprising arrival of November (already??!), it's heartening to see that four of our restaurants have announced the return of their popular Halloween parties. McClain Cellars is hosting its first 1920s Speakeasy party on...

“We Got the Beat” at Harley’s Party – Nov. 5th
On Friday, Nov. 5th, Go-Go’s drummer, Gina Schock, will be hosting a “meet & Greet” at Harley Laguna Beach. Tickets are $125 per person and include a signed copy of Gina’s new book, Made in Hollywood: All Access with the Go-Go’s, as well as two premium drink...

San Shi Go Coming Soon … I Promise
Posted Oct. 13, 2021 - Local favorite San Shi Go looks to be rounding the final bend for their re-opening at the former Okura Sushi restaurant at Thalia and Coast Highway. San Shi Go closed in its old location on March 1st. A devastated fan base moped for months...

Where’s My Rum?
You may recall that months and months ago – April 13th, to be exact – I announced that Rum Social Kitchen & Cocktails would be taking over the old Watermarc space. Termed by the longtime restaurateurs as “an upscale Hemingway speakeasy,” the team planned to open...

Wine Gallery’s Tasting Tuesdays Return
The “Locals’ Season” is in full swing with restaurants all over town offering creative events. Wine Gallery’s popular “Tasting Tuesday” has returned. Owner Chris Olsen initiated the every-other-week event prior to COVID and started them up again in September. “I...
Upcoming Events & News

Laguna Beach Books hosts best-selling mystery author T. Jefferson Parker
On Friday, August 14 at 5 p.m., Laguna Beach Books is pleased to present the latest virtual event in its new Signature Event Series. Enjoy a literary evening with author T. Jefferson Parker as he speaks about his new book, Then She Vanished. He will be in conversation...

Sawdust Will Open Smaller Outdoor Marketplace on July 17th
Clearly, the above photo will NOT be happening at the Sawdust Art Festival this year. But they DO have a different solution! While the Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters and Art-A-Fair all cancelled their summer seasons this year, the Sawdust leadership worked...

Beaches in Laguna Beach – City vs. County Beaches in Laguna Beach
Thanks to all of its beautiful cove beaches, Laguna Beach has an extraordinary number of beaches in just an eight mile stretch. With all of the recent closures, many people have been confused on WHAT a CITY beach is and WHAT a COUNTY beach is as they're somewhat...

Update: Orange County Beach Closures Beginning May 1, 2020
As you probably know, Governor Newsom announced on Thursday a HARD CLOSE of all Orange County beaches. The Governor did not include other counties in California in his order. Beaches may be closed in OTHER counties and cities, based on the decision of their city and...

Who to Complain to About Beach and Traffic Chaos this Weekend in Laguna Beach
This week with warmer weather and impatient people who are tired of staying at home, South Laguna Beach (SoLag) was overrun with beach visitors. It's only going to get busier this weekend. Because the County has closed its parking lots but NOT its beaches, we have...

Laguna Beach Books Announces Virtual Best-Selling Author Events
Just when you thought our entire globe had relegated itself to Netflix binge watching and TikTok karaoke, I have refreshing news: People are ordering books. That's right – actual books that have covers and pages and smell like books! "I can't say that we're seeing as...
Get to Know OC & LA Chefs
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