City, Orange County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Codes: 92651, 92652
Prestige,
picturesque town, mix of old and new. Located on the Pacific. Coves and small
bays add to the charm. Homes on shore, homes in hills, homes falling off hills.
Happened in winter 2005, one of the perils of building on steep lots. Eleven
demolished, 11 others seriously damaged. Slide repairs finished in 2007. www.mccormacks.com
Built out.
Increased its population by about 500 in 1990s. Population 25,131. An artists'
colony in the early 20th century and still devoted to the arts. The high-school
nickname was “The Artists.” This got to the kids, who now call themselves, “The
Breakers.” Understandable ... but the old name had class.
To its
amusement and dismay, the town inspired a teen TV soap called “Laguna Beach:
the Real Orange County.” Its theme and the theme of sister show, “O.C.,”
according to one reviewer, “privileged teens living the high life.” Local
newspaper, to counter of image of wanton wastrels, profiled two students who
were active in fight against AIDS.
Click for regional or detailed map
Served by
the Laguna Beach Unified School District, which takes in part of Newport
Coast. Rankings generally in the
80th and 90th percentiles on statewide comparison. In 2001, residents approved
a $39 million bond to build classrooms and make repairs at all campuses. New
program works out individual learning plan for each student. See Schools.
Crime low.
Zero homicides in 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, one in 2002. For preceding years, zero,
zero, zero, two, zero, zero, zero, two, zero, zero, one, zero, zero, zero and
zero. See Crime.
In 2007, a husband and wife, in their late 40s, checked into a hotel bungalow and later someone reported a naked woman with a gun. At the scene, the couple allegedly took turns pointing a gun at officers. Several officers opened fire. Couple killed. Loaded semi-automatic and bag of ammo found in bungalow. Case under investigation.
State in
2008 counted 13,253 housing units — 8,308 single detached, 759 single
attached, 3,862 multiples, 324 mobiles (many of which were demolished in late
2006; land to be used for public campground.) www.mccormacks.com
The 2000
census placed 17 percent of town under age 21. Median age 43 years. A town with
some kids but not a family town. Housing 60 percent owner-occupied, 40 percent
rentals.
Started
1940 with about 2,400 homes, a small town that would grow by annexations. Added
about 1,600 units that decade, 2,200 the following decade and 2,500 residential
units in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Laguna Beach built about 2,000 units and in
the 1980s, about 1,200.
Since
then, the town has built about 1,000 units and in recent years has slowed to
infilling.
Terrain
makes construction challenging. Slightly in from the beach, the town ascends
into hills (some slight, some steep) divided by canyons, and in back of the
hills is a large regional park.
For much
of its modern life, Laguna Beach built modestly. The most popular domicile is
the two-bedroom unit, followed by the three-bedroom residence. In the 1980s,
the market for larger homes heated up and Laguna Beach followed. Many of these
homes can be found in the hills. www.mccormacks.com
In and
about downtown, many homes have a beach-cottage look. Rentals available. Hotels
and motels and restaurants. Moving into the hills, appearances take on a more
residential appearance. Many view homes; depends on location. Some homes just
hang off of — and onto — the hills. City has laws to protect views.
Toward the
downtown, the terrain flattens out somewhat. At the northwest end, Emerald Bay,
a gated community, will be found. Upscale.
Laguna
Beach is a demanding town for new homes and remodelings. Residents have strong
feelings about what's aesthetically pleasing. Design board reviews projects;
supposedly a tough group. If soil stability is suspect, a geologist reviews the
plans.
Laguna
Beach, which draws 3 million visitors annually, has a quaint and pretty
downtown. Small shops. On summer weekends and at peak hours, Coast Highway
often jams with traffic.
Pooper-scooper
law. If you don't have the scooper when you're walking Fido, you get a ticket.
No skateboarding on streets. Leaf blowers banned. No smoking on beach. The
first city on the West Cost to assign a cop to patrol tidal pools and protect
the sea urchins. www.mccormacks.com
Art galleries. Art museum. Art Institute
of Southern California. Art district. Three summer art festivals. Annual
tableau, Pageant of the Masters, featuring live people as art. CaDance
Festival. Movies. Boys and Girls Club. Restaurants. Library. Seniors center.
Much of
the land outside the city has been placed into regional parks. Hiking and horse
trails, bird watching, theatricals. Enclosed park for dogs. Lot of
community-civic activities. Foundation for schools, opera league, ballet group,
chamber music, performing arts support for schools. Special taxes for parks,
open space.
Much
emphasis on cultural life. A pretty town, favorite of old Hollywood. Bette
Davis, Judy Garland, Charlie Chaplin and Mickey Rooney kept homes in Laguna
Beach. Some celebrities reportedly still do but locals take pride in minding
their own business. When directors wanted to show the shores of England, Greece,
Italy, etc. they turned their cameras on the Laguna coast. It shows up in many
movies.
South
Coast Medical Center. Community clinic.
Toll
freeway between San Juan Capistrano and Newport Beach-Irvine. Highway 1 runs up
the coast to Newport Beach and beyond. www.mccormacks.com
Chamber of
commerce (949) 494-1018.
• In 1993, brush fires destroyed about
365 homes. Building codes tightened, fire breaks cut, reservoirs constructed,
650 goats deployed to devour brush. The animals have won the affections of
residents.
• Slides
have struck before and killed people. No deaths in 2005 slide. Many compliments
to cops and firefighters for quick action. Homes are being rebuilt to more
demanding standards. Fact of life: slides.
• Under construction in
2007: a community-senior center.
• Ocean Institute, to raise funds, annually
raffles off a $1 million home. The 2006 winner had a choice of a 2-bedroom
condo two blocks from the beach. Or $1 million cash. She took cash.
• To pay for slide repairs,
the city imposed a half-cent sales tax that will run for six years. The feds
and state also put up money. www.mccormacks.com
• LB school district adds
three off days to the President holidays and creates what is called a ski week.
Time made up later in year.
City web
site: www.lagunabeachcity.net
