Friday Hike Day: La Tour, Victoria Beach-Laguna

This is more of a walk then a hike. If it's open, there is parking on the opposite side of PCH for free. No restrooms at this Beach point of entry. Not necessarily stroller friendly once you hit the sand. Child in a body carrier is fine. 

The main attraction of this hike is the little castle, known as La Tour (the tower) on the sand between the cliffs and shore. 

Make sure you go during low tide to be sure you can access the tower and so you can check out the tide pools. When you enter Victoria Beach, you won't see the tower. You will go to the right, from facing the ocean. Pass the corner of the first tide pools and the tower comes into view. 

Enjoy the view, the crashing waves and check out the sea treasures at the tide pools. This is a low intensity walk, though you will have to walk uphill on the beach access road and thru the residential neighborhood on the return.

There is a Ruby's Diner right up the street if you want to grab a burger. You can also head back down PCH, into the hub of Laguna Beach atmosphere.

Of course, you can actually swim in the water as well. Always be sure to use sun protection, stay hydrated and bring snacks if you don't plan on eating out. There is NO shade! 

Over all, it's a unique spot. How often do you get to take pix of a mini-castle on the beach? You can peer into the door and tiny windows to view a wooden staircase that leads all the way to the top. 

Or dream of being Rapunzel while you soak up some rays. Haha.

Start the Day Outside! 

See you next week. 

A Moment of the Sea

You only get to experience the sea crashing over you once. When that wave reaches its peak, then begins to recede, the next wave that crashes, is an entirely different ocean. New sand, shells, water, particles. A mere echo of the waves before and glimpse of the ones after. Waves drip down, returning to the earth, transformed into memory fragments.

Friday Hike Day: Montage Resort, Laguna Beach

What a view!

This was not really a hike at all. The location was suggested for it's clear blue water. It didn't disappoint on that regard. I was looking forward to exploring some tide pools but the rocks were closed due to high swells. Bummer. 

Adventure Kids

The gorgeous locale is in front of a beach front resort. It looks like it's all private property but it's actually a public access beach. There is a small parking lot located off Wesley Avenue. If that lot is full, you can park across PCH, along the street or another small lot. All is metered/pay parking. $1 an hour for a maximum of three hours. Very affordable and if you want to stay longer, you can return to your car and purchase another parking ticket/feed the meter.

I love California.

There is a restroom at the beach front parking lot and another a little farther down. There is no *hiking* trail but there is a scenic walkway along the cliffs. It is lined with native succulents and bougainvillea. There are lovely benches you can sit and take in the spectacular view, all along the way. Not a hike, but it can count as a walk, right?

The beach access point near the parking lot has stairs and a ramp, making this stroller friendly and wheel chair accessible.  

Sharing a shake with my sweetheart.

It was a very hot day with out any breeze...weather report stated 88 degrees on this beach. We didn't get much escape from the heat but I heard it was in the 100 back home. There isn't any shade. Bring an umbrella and do not skimp on the sunscreen.

Children might enjoy climbing on the rocks and looking for sea life. Use caution as the rocks could be slippery and if the tide is high, water will be crashing on the rocks as well.

We were hungry afterward so we stopped for a snack at Ruby's Diner five minutes down the road. We all enjoyed sharing shakes. So delicious and the perfect after beach snack.