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The Montage and Top of the World (Laguna Beach, CA)

First Stop… the Montage in Laguna Beach

There are not very many places where you will find green grass this nice in CA (note: this is a popular yoga spot).
Look how happy this cute dog is.
Do you see the palm tree pair?
People apparently do work, lol. The beach was pretty much empty.
One of the most breathtaking views you will find in OC.
A man and his fearless dog.
A little love sign.
Lol, heart shape or no?
Palm tree party vibes.
Just a boy and his scooter.

Stop 2… Top of the World for a hike!

A bench with a view.
Let’s go on a hike.
A beautiful morning (a.m. is my favorite).
Look, it is a butterfly!
Made it to the top.
Took pictures for this couple from Indianapolis after they kindly listened to the nearby 77-year-old man. (Yes, he is 77, he told me… :D).
Now… to hike all the way back to where I parked my car. (follow the point, somewhere over there)
Aw, animal friends in the wild.
Front pic or back pic? (insert indecision here)
Sweaty and done!
End with a little rehydration. Thank you, CVS.

07/21/26 Today, I opted for the following: try a coffee shop (new to me, The Spicy Bean Lab), grab an almond croissant at Rapport Coffee, sit/play photographer at the Montage (well, try to sit), and then take a hike at the Top of the World.

The person who taught me about both of these locations recently had a birthday on the 19th, so I thought it would be an appropriate time to visit. I actually have not visited either of these areas in a long time as they seem to hold a lot of memories that I have stored away. The Montage Laguna Beach area is like stepping into a dreamland. It is beautiful… Every. Single. Time. I have sat on the benches, sunned on the beach, journaled, taken photos (e.g., the ocean, birds, plants, seals, butterflies, hummingbirds, sunsets, and humans), had my picture taken, tap-tapped my feet in the water, and watched individuals swim (safely from the sand, lol). I used to call my “coffee mom” (Patsy, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in December of 2023); there is a nearby street that has the same name as her grandson (Wesley). Aka, it was the perfect spot to catch up and life share.

The Top of the World hike is well traveled and what I would consider a just-right challenge. At the top, there is one single wooden bench overlooking the vast blue ocean. The bench, though kind of old, is the perfect spot to capture that singles/couples’ moment. I have done this hike individually (go me!) and with others (good times!). Individually, I dislike the rattlesnake and mountain lion warning signs as I would prefer to pretend they do not exist. I have never actually encountered any, though. There was one time that I did not factor in fog. When I got to the top, I could not see the ocean at all 😀 (just me in the clouds).

Thank you, Laguna Beach, for the treasured memories, the unbelievable dreamy escapes, and the courage building one step at a time. You will not be forgotten and you will be missed! xoxo

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