Smart Meetings

The town of about 25,000 is also considered an enclave for the artistic community, with hundreds of local working artists, dozens of art and music events, and an abundance of music festivals, galleries and unique gift shops.

And if your meeting is held during the summer, chances are you’ll get to take part in some of the community’s renowned celebrations, such as the Sawdust Art Festival (sawdustartfestival.com), the totally unique Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters (foapom.com) and Art-A-Fair (art-a-fair.com).

Year-round, you can also explore the many art galleries, or participate in the First Thursdays Art Walk, where businesses open up their doors after hours to showcase the work of local artists—with hors d’oeuvres and wine.

Plus, more than two dozen hotels, seaside villas and full-service resorts will accommodate any need and suit every taste.

UNIQUE VENUES

With art surrounding you everywhere in Laguna Beach, an event in the Laguna Art Museum (lagunaartmuseum.org) is a good fit. Host a reception after hours surrounded by a myriad of paintings on the walls. Then explore the museum, which features more than 5,000 works of art ranging from the early 19th century to present day.

Originating in a living room in the 1920s, the critically acclaimed Laguna Playhouse (lagunaplayhouse.com) is one of the oldest continually running theater organizations on the West Coast. Meet your group for a cocktail reception at the playhouse’s Moulton Theater. Then treat your theatergoers to a show—a 10 percent discount is available for groups of 10 or more.

FOR FUN

If it’s outdoor fun you’re looking for, you’ll certainly find it. When you’re not in your meeting, take a self-guided tour (lagunabeachinfo.com) of the bungalows and cottages of Laguna’s historic homes and eclectic neighborhoods.

For the more adventurous, take a three-hour trek in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (ocparks.com/lagunacoast). Situated in one of the last remaining coastal canyons, the 6,500 park is a protective habitat for various endangered species and encompasses the only natural lake in Orange County.

Then come down from the canyon to the beach at Crystal Cove State Park (crystalcovestatepark.com), with 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped wetlands. The offshore waters are a designated underwater park, making them a veritable playground for scuba and skin divers. If you want to stay above the tides, explore the animal life in the tidepools and sandy coves. And don’t be afraid to take your shoes off to walk barefoot on the sand. You’ll feel the real California experience.

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Getting There

Orange County is accessible by four major airports: John Wayne/Orange County Airport (ocair.com), located 16 miles from Anaheim, as well as Los Angeles International Airport (lawa.org), Long Beach Airport (longbeach.gov/airport) and Ontario International Airport (lawa.org). Several ground transportation services offer door-to-door service to and from all major airports. Back to Top