Beach Guide: Thalia Street, Laguna Beach
If you're ever headed down PCH and feel like pulling the car over to take a breather and simply absorb some warm California vibes, keep your eyes peeled for the street sign in Laguna Beach that reads "Thalia"... This is the spot.
Thalia Street is located just North of Main Beach in Laguna (where Laguna Canyon Road meets PCH.) The parking lot is meager, only about 10 metered spaces are available (15 minutes per quarter). However, across the street you'll hopefully score a parking spot, and it'll hopefully be free.
The steps down to the beach are typical for Laguna, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly. At the top, you'll find the signs stating the rules there... pay attention. They look like they're telling you that nothing is allowed and you are ordered to have no fun at all! But, if you read closely, they're simply telling you that there are minor limitations to activities such as surfing, skimming, scuba diving, and pets. No worries!
The view from the top of the stairs is unreal. It overlooks our beautiful coastline, framed with flowers and foliage, with plenty of casual seating for the "looky-loos". On a nice day, you'll see that it's not uncommon for every bench to be occupied. F.Y.I.
Down on the sand is where the serious fun goes down. It's a very popular spot for the local kids (and adults) to congregate and relax. You'll almost always see games of frisbee, bocce ball, soccer, and volleyball happening on the sand. There's a nice little tiki-style umbrella built into the sand and even a shaded area underneath the stilts of one of the beachfront properties. This beach is lifeguarded during the warmer months.
It's also a great spot to surf. Thalia Street typically breaks best in the Summer months and works really well at high tide on a NW, W, SW, or S swell. It's not a super heavy wave, so you'll probably be accompanied by beginners taking on their first session. There are specified surf areas, so be sure to paddle out at the right spot. Also, the bottom is a rocky reef, so be careful walking around out there.
At the top of the staircase you'll be happy to find plenty of shops and places to eat (if you've ever been to Laguna Beach, I'm sure you already know that this is not rare.) There's the fresh Goko Cafe , where you can get your "healthy" on, as well as the Penguin Cafe that serves the more classical eats. You'll see the Vans by Thalia Street Surf Shop and the Second Reef Surf Shop where you'll be able to score anything surf related that you might need for a day in Laguna Beach.
The next time you're in the mood for a beach day, take Thalia Street into serious consideration. This place makes you feel like you're miles away from anything. You gotta love Orange County, right?
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