The Best Things to Do in Laguna Beach, Orange County’s Historic Arts Enclave

Tacos and surf culture go together like the sun and the sand. The Taco Stand‘s Laguna’s location might be their most interesting, set in the third-oldest Taco Bell in the world: Order the warm and freshly made chips to start. For a higher-end experience, Rebel Omakase is the only restaurant in Laguna Beach with a Michelin star; here you’ll find a pre-fixe menu filled with ceviches and raw shellfish that are all imported across the Pacific from Japan.

For the turf, head to Selanne Steak Tavern, located in a historic 1934 home on PCH, for steaks served in a much airier and brighter space than your typical leather-boothed steakhouse. Fun fact, it’s owned by Hockey Hall of Famer and six-time Olympian Teemu Selanne and local businessman Kevin Pratt. For burgers in a more casual space, Ahba is the place to be for a delicious wagyu burger with caramelized onions and a creamy aioli—make it a double.

Keeping it cool, but casual, Truly Pizza recently opened their second location in another quaint little bungalow on PCH. They source their ingredients from local farms in Orange County and were recently ranked the fourth best pizza in the country. Simple, yet absolutely perfect, try the Champion Cheese, or for a more unique pie, the Umami Mushroom, both of which will have a thick, bubbly, long-fermented crust.

For a pre- or post-dinner beverage, Laguna Beer Company, founded in 2014 by two natives, has a wide array of style options, along with their own diverse food menu. If you’re more into wine, McClain Wine Cellars, which is one of a small number of Black-owned wineries in the country, offers red and white options sourced from vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. Or end your day with some Gelato Paradiso—in the summer, expect to get in line, although it’ll be worth the wait. (Try the pistachio gelato with imported nuts from Bronte, Italy.)