Dana Point and Laguna Beach

July 4, 2024 - Reading time: 4 minutes

After a quick stop at a Los Angeles specialty shop where my brother had a blast exploring synthesizers, we were off to Dana Point.  We checked into the hotel near the marina, grabbed some burritos "to go" from the Del Taco across the street, then put our folding chairs in the sand of the Pacific shoreline, watching a handful of surfers in the late afternoon sunlight.   It was substantially cooler than our previous days in Vegas and Utah.  Such a lovely change of pace to wear hoodies and relax surrounded by chilly ocean breezes.  

The next morning was a beautifully clear day and we left bright and early for a two hour dolphin tour with a small harbor cruise company.   The marine scientist onboard was very knowledgeable, informing us the Blue Whales had just migrated to Catalina a few days before our tour;  but our disappointment was short lived because we were gob-smacked by number of dolphins we witnessed just 20 minutes into the cruise.  They were in the midst of a feeding frenzy.  There were dozens upon dozens of them - adults, babies - darting about so swiftly.  I had never seen a bait ball of fish in person and it was SO COOL!  It looked like a black mass of swirling liquid, like an oil slick, but just beneath the surface and the dolphins were keen to gobble up as much as they could.   

Heading back to shore a few hours later, the captain steered the boat close to a buoy draped with sea lions having a lay about.  

This would be our only full day in the area so we sought to make the most of the ocean views by having appetizers and early happy hour cocktails at The Rooftop Lounge of La Casa del Camino in Laguna Beach.  I had the best calamari of my life - lightly breaded, perfectly seasoned and so fresh, paired with a mojito.  My brother ordered a hummus plate (also yummy) and a local IPA called a "Slap and Tickle."  We got a chuckle out of that one, of course.  

For dinner, we met my brother's father-in-law, Jim, who lives nearby and enjoyed fresh fish tacos from Wahoo's before taking a leisurely stroll along the Laguna Beach shoreline.  Jim was a wonderful tour guide and it was truly lovely to get a local's take on community history and points of interest.  By nightfall, we had walked over 3 miles before heading back to our cars parked on the Pacific Coast Highway.  What a fantastic day!