Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
292
International Sur fing Museum
Nostalgic G idgets and M oondoggies shouldn 't
miss this monument to the laid-back sport that has become synonymous with California
beaches. You'll find gargantuan longboar ds from the spor t's early days, memorabilia of
Duke Kahanamoku and the other sur fing greats represented on the Walk of Fame near
Huntington Pier, and a gift shop where a copy of the
Surfin'ary
can help you bone up on
your surfer slang even if you don't know which foot is goofy.
411 Olive Ave., Huntington Beach.
&
714/960-3483.
www.surfingmuseum.org. Suggested donation $2
adults, $1 students, free for kids ages 6 and under. Mid-June to late Sept daily noon-5pm; rest of the year
Wed-Sun noon-5pm (hours tend to vary, so call ahead).
Laguna Art Museum
This beloved local institution is working hard to position itself
as the artistic cornerstone of the community. In addition to a small but inter esting per-
manent collection, the museum presents installations of regional works that are definitely
worth a detour . Past examples include a display of sur f photography fr om the coast 's
1930s and 1940s golden era, and doz ens of plein-air Impressionist paintings (ca. 1900-
30) b y the founding ar tists of the original colony . The museum is also open during
Laguna Beach Artwalk, the first Thursday each month, when admission is fr ee.
307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach.
&
949/494-8971.
www.lagunaartmuseum.org. Admission $10 adults , $8
students and seniors, free for kids 11 and under. Daily 11am-5pm.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
The 7th of California's 21 coastal missions, Mission
San Juan Capistrano is continually being r estored. The mix of old r uins and wor king
buildings is home to small museum collections and v arious adobe r ooms that ar e as
quaint as they are interesting. The intimate mission chapel with its ornate bar oque altar
is still used for r eligious services, and the mission complex is the center of the commu-
nity, hosting performing arts, children's programs, and other cultural events year-round.
This mission is best known for its
swallows,
which are said to return to nest each year
at their fav orite sanctuar y. According to legend, the bir ds wing their way back to the
mission annually on M arch 19, St. Joseph's Day, arriving at dawn; they ar e said to take
flight again on October 23, after bidding the mission farewell. In reality, you'll probably
see the well-fed birds here any day of the w eek, winter or summer.
Ortega H wy. ( Calif. 74), San Juan C apistrano.
&
949/234-1300.
w ww.missionsjc.com. A dmission $9
adults, $8 seniors, $5 children. Daily 8:30am-5pm.
11
WHERE TO STAY
Very Expensive
Montage Resort & Spa
The rich have it good when it comes to vacationing.
Spend a few minutes walking ar ound the 30-acre Montage resort in Laguna B each and
you'll see why. The scenery is so breathtaking that it takes composure not to sprint down
to the gorgeous mosaic-tiled pool or run barefoot along the sun-kissed beach. You'll never
tire of it. The neo-C raftsman-style guest r ooms, which ar e spacious, immaculate, and
tastefully decorated with muted color schemes, hav e feather-top beds with goose-do wn
pillows, and v ery inviting balconies. There's an infinity-edged pool, beach access to
explore tide pools, an impeccably manicur ed park, and the oceanfront Spa Montage for
skin tr eatments and massages. D on't miss J ames Bo yce's superb M editerranean-style
cuisine at the r esort's signature restaurant,
Studio.
There's plenty for kids to do as w ell:
They have their own pool and several fun-filled programs to keep them entertained (and,
of course, there's the beach).
30801 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
&
866/271-6953
or 949/715-6000. F ax 949/715-6100.
www.montagelagunabeach.com. 262 units. $475-$735 double; from $1,100 suite. AE, DISC, MC, V. Valet
