Laguna Beach

This beachfront city in Orange County, which is about an hour south of Los Angeles, is well-known for its artistic community, outdoor lifestyle, and some breathtaking beaches. In addition to having several galleries, Laguna Beach also holds an annual Pageant of the Masters and Festival of the Arts in July.

With full-size, three-dimensional, staged performance art versions of well-known works of art occupied by real people in makeup, body paint, and/or costumes, the Pageant of the Masters festival brings works of art to life. Imagine an actress costumed as the subject of the painting posing inside a stage set that resembles a large Mona Lisa. Beyond the yearly arts festival, a weekend break to Laguna Beach and the surrounding area is always a terrific idea. Along with a lengthy public beach, numerous top-notch dining establishments, and numerous art galleries, the area enjoys pleasant, sunny weather more than 300 days out of the year.

Across from the beach and nestled away in a canyon is the 87-acre luxury resort known as The Ranch at Laguna Beach. Along with a large spa, the resort offers a well-known restaurant and a great nine-hole golf course. The one- and two-story bungalow complexes housing the modern, opulent yet rustic lodgings fit in well with the canyon's surrounding natural environment. You may get to the beach by using a golf cart shuttle that travels through a tunnel under PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).

Location: Laguna Beach, Orange County, California