Lucky Barkers Vacation at Laguna Beach, California
- Luie Boone
- Dec 11
- 7 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fifth blog series, Bowwows Belong.
You don't need a lottery ticket to be lucky in Laguna Beach, California! Luie Boone says all the pups who visit are lucky barkers in store for a big, beautiful adventure.
Laguna Beach, California, is located along the Pacific Ocean, and it has a deep history. It was actually home to a prehistoric Paleo-Indian civilization. In 1933, a fossilized skull of a Paleo-Indian—known as the Laguna Woman—was found during construction on St. Ann's Drive. this skull was radiocarbon dated back to more than 17,000 BP. Luie Boone doesn't know what that means, other than old!
It wasn’t until after the Mexican-American War that Laguna Beach became a part of the United States. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo stated that Mexican land grants be honored. As such, the land of Rancho San Joaquin, which included much of what is now coastal Orange County, passed into American jurisdiction while remaining under the ownership claims of its Mexican grantees. In the decades that followed, portions of the rancho were gradually sold, subdivided, and developed, paving the way for the small settlement that would eventually grow into modern-day Laguna Beach.
Luie Boone cannot wait to visit modern-day Laguna Beach. Dogs are welcome on its beaches year-round, as long as they are leashed. However, please note summertime restrictions, where pooches are allowed only before 9 AM and after 6 PM.
One spot in Laguna Beach that Luie Boone is particularly excited about is Heisler Park, which is a coastal bluff overlooking some of the clearest coves in the region! With its winding pathways, vibrant public art, and sweeping views of the Pacific, the park offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and charm that drew early artists and visitors to Laguna more than a century ago. For Luie, walking through Heisler Park will feel like stepping into a living postcard—with waves breaking below, tide pools glistening in the sun, and the scent of salt and native sage drifting through the air. He'll make his hoomans snap a picture or two.
After a trip to Heisler Park, Luie Boone will drag his hoomans over to the Laguna Beach Dog Park. Nestled in a canyon just inland from the coast, this dog park was first established in 1992 and became the first dog park in Orange County. It offers a two-acre fenced area for dogs. This wide, open space will be paw-some for Luie to run full-speed, sniff every corner, and introduce himself to the local pups. His tail will be wagging non stop as he leads his hoomans from one patch of grass to another, convinced that every new dog is a potential best friend.
After all this fun out-and-about in Laguna Beach, Luie Boone will drag his hoomans to some local restaurants. First on his list: Sapphire Laguna. With its breezy coastal vibe and dog-friendly patio, Luie is certain it was practically designed for distinguished pups like himself. In fact, Sapphire Laguna is known for its international comfort food. They even offer a "Sunset Hour," with house-made potato chips and a kobe beef havarti cheeseburger. Luie Boone doesn't know what all of those words mean; he just wants to know if the food itasty. Spoiler Alert: It most definitely is.
Luie Boone cannot wait to visit Laguna Beach and become one of it's many lucky barkers!
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay at Laguna Beach, California. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Luxury 3 Story Beach House
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 4 beds and 4 baths and outdoor shower.
Photos by vrbo.com
It features the following amenities:
Beachfront on North Laguna Beach
Has an outdoor shower, which is located at the private entrance to the beach
Two Juliet Balconies off both the bedrooms on third floor
Large fenced-in yard, which includes several areas for outdoor dining
Outdoor play area and fire pit
Beach chairs
Water sports gear: Boogie Boards, Wake/Skim Boards
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
On our vacation to Laguna Beach, California, we're going to stay at the Luxury 3 Story Beach House. This already sounds like the perfect place for a pup like me to recharge. I'll pad up the steps with sandy paws to the whole house glowing warm inside and the ocean smell drifting through every floor. My hoomans will probably talk about how beautiful the sunset was and start planning tomorrow’s adventures, but I’ll be focused on finding the coziest spot to curl up. Maybe next to the firepit. Maybe on a bed. We'll see! And of course, my whale plushie, Moby, is coming along for the trip. He’s never seen the real ocean, so when we sit on the balcony watching for dolphins and whales, I’ll lay him beside me so he can finally meet the sea. If whales show up, I’ll bark "hello" for both of us. My hoomans are going to love it. I’m going to love it. And Moby is going to love it, too!
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing in Laguna Beach, California!
The Top of the World
The Top of the World via Canyon Acres Trail is a fantastic hiking adventure for dogs, and Luie Boone cannot wait to experience it. The trail winds uphill through scenic, sniff-filled canyon terrain, giving him plenty to sniff-investigate as he leads the way. By the time he and his humans reach the viewpoint at the top, Luie Boone will be standing proudly in the breeze, taking in the breathtaking scenery like he’s truly on top of the world.
Heisler Park
Luie Boone woofed about Heisler Park earlier, but he’ll gladly remind you why it’s such a beloved local gem. It's a scenic oceanfront stretch in Laguna Beach that offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. As a dog-friendly park, it offers walking trails, coastal gardens, and a marine refuge with tide pools to explore. It’s the perfect spot for anyone looking to relax by the ocean with their pooch.
Shaws Cove Beach
This secluded section of the coast is a peaceful haven that welcomes dogs on leashes, giving pups like Luie Boone plenty of room to explore the shoreline. Visitors should note that dog hours change with the seasons: Between June 15 and September 10, four-legged friends are allowed before 9:00 AM and after 6:00 PM, while the rest of the year they’re welcome at any time of day. Luie Boone is already imagining gentle waves, salty splashes, and maybe even a little swim... with Moby, his beloved whale plushie, supervising from a safe, dry spot on the sand.
Pirate Tower
Standing 60 feet high, the Pirate Tower looks like it belongs in a fairy tale or an adventure movie. Built in 1926 for William E. Brown, a state senator who represented California’s 37th district, this mini castle has become one of Laguna Beach’s most iconic hidden gems. Luie Boone fully plans to arrive as Captain Luie, ready to claim the tower in the name of all good boys. Just remember: it’s only reachable at low tide, so be sure to check the tide charts.
Aliso Beach
At Aliso Beach, dogs like Luie Boone are welcome to stroll the shoreline anytime... expect between the summer hours of 9 AM to 6 PM from June 15 to September 10. The beach has easy parking and free outdoor showers, perfect for rinsing off sand after a good roll around. In early 2022, the Lost Pier Café introduced a Little Free Library on the beach. It was inspired by the iconic Laguna Beach Lifeguard Tower, and it gives visitors a chance to read in the sun with their pups or leave a book for the next beachgoer.
Valido Trail
Valido Trail is a scenic gem tucked into the coastal hills of Laguna Beach. This 1.1-mile path stays fairly level at first, until you reach the wooden stairs that climb 331 feet toward sweeping ocean views. At the top, the trail leads you straight to Aliso Peak, where gorgeous panoramic views stretch out in every direction. With its peaceful atmosphere and stunning scenery, Valido Trail is a perfect escape for anyone exploring the outdoors with their furry friend. Luie Boone would happily lead the way to that breezy, picture-perfect lookout.
Main Beach Park
Main Beach Park is a gorgeous stretch of sand located right in the heart of Laguna. It’s a paw-some getaway for you and your pup, offering stunning ocean views along with boardwalks, benches, and picnic areas to enjoy together. Dogs aren’t permitted on the beach from 9 AM to 6 PM between June 15 and September 10, but they’re welcome during park hours for the rest of the year. And if Luie Boone ever visits, you can bet he’ll be donning his green camo life jacket and striking a pose on the same rock where so many beach pups take their photos! He'll also check out its famous lifeguard tower, which has appeared in many TV shows and movies.
The Cliff
At The Cliff, pups get the royal treatment with a full Puppy Menu featuring Precious' Puppy Plates—oatmeal, chicken, beef, salmon, or even prime rib. There’s also a puppy treat menu packed with all-natural goodies. Don't worry, hoomans! You have delicious options, too. Try their California Benedicts, huevos rancheros, strawberry French toast, crab cakes, ahi tuna burgers, carne asada burritos, garlic prawns, pan-seared scallops, or filet mignon. Knowing Luie Boone, he’ll be scanning that menu like a seasoned critic. If he doesn’t get everything he wants, he may dramatically threaten to cannonball off a nearby cliff.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Laguna Beach, California
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
My hoomans told me something wild about Laguna Beach, California. Do you want to know what it is? Well, they told me that sometimes harbor seal pups nap on the beach while their moms go hunting. I’ve never seen a baby seal, but I bet they’re squishy and adorable. Part of me thinks it would be fun to trot over, sniff them gently, and maybe become best friends. But my hoomans explained that seal pups are tiny and defenseless, and even though they can bite, they’re still super vulnerable. Worse, if the mom sees a dog or hooman get too close, she might decide not to come back. And I definitely do not want to be the reason a seal mom says, “Nope,” and swims off forever. So I’m making a plan: If I spot a seal pup, I’ll admire it from a respectful distance. I’ll save my zoomies for the sand, because I want to be a good boy who protects wildlife.
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