FITNESS WALK
Are you planning on visiting Laguna Beach and like to be active while you see some historic architecture, local landmarks, scenic ocean views, coastal blooms, canyon caves and unique hilltop homes? This Fitness Walk is a serious workout with a few stairs and steep hills, all while on a sidewalk experiencing this seaside community. The map for this walk is located at the bottom of this page. The walk is 4.5 miles round trip and will take you 1 1/2 hours if you walk fast.
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1. Parking Lot #11
Parking has always been an issue in our small seaside community. I strongly suggest parking in a lot instead of a metered space. Then you have all day to explore Laguna Beach without worrying if your time has expired. This lot is located at 551 Forest Avenue and has 161 regular spaces, 4 handicap spaces and 2 electric charging stations. Acceptable payments include credit cards or dollar bills. |
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2. City Hall
This Spanish Colonial Revival building is where the City Council meets, along with our famous Design Review Committee. They are in charge of proposed development projects. One rule they strictly enforce is our 36 foot height limit for all buildings. In contrast, Waikiki and Miami Beach have structures as tall as 100 feet. |
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Pepper Tree
This tree, in front of City Hall, was planted in the late 1800s and is our "Christmas Tree". The first Friday of December the city of Laguna Beach closes down Forest Avenue and Santa comes to light up this tree for the holidays. |
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3. Fire Station
This fire station is one of the oldest operating fire stations in Orange County and it was built in 1931. A Caption, Engineer, and a Firefighter are on staff 24 hours a day. |
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"The People's Council" by Linda Brunker
This piece features three figures, representing every man, woman, and child. They are sitting around a black obelisk that serves as a sundial highlighting words on the ground representing aspirations of the community. |
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4. The Lumberyard Restaurant
This Normandy-style restaurant called "The Lumberyard", was a real lumberyard from 1919-1975 and provided approximately 90% of the wood for Laguna's early buildings. The original architect was well known Chris Abel. The most recent renovation was done by his son, Gregg Abel. My two favorite appetizers here are the zucchini planks and their grilled artichoke. |
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5. Golden fire hydrant
This working fire hydrant is in front of the Laguna Beach Water District and is shined every morning. |
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Water District Garden
The Laguna Beach Water District's website says their mission is to "provide reliable, safe, and prudently-managed retail water service to our customers". They operate and maintain an absolutely beautiful garden showcasing coastal blooms, native to this area, requiring little water. They have coloring books for the kids to teach them water conservation along with information for adults on programs and rebates for water-wise consumption. |
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6. World Aids Day wall relief fish
This wall relief by local artist, Mike Tauber, is across the street from the Susi Q Senior Center. In 2007 when this was completed, there were 50,000 new US cases of HIV. Each fish on this wall represents 1000 of those cases. On World AIDS Day (today), watch the lead fish. If he is pointing up, numbers are rising. If he is pointing down, our "Community" (the name of this piece), is making progress. |
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7. "Moving Forward" by Gerard Stripling and Michele Taylor
This limestone bench includes glass and bronze shoes that represent the inter-generaltional and recreational uses of the Susi Q Community Center. The mission of this senior center is, "To work together to enhance the lives of seniors through programs, services, and advocacy that promote independence, wellness and community". |
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8. Third Street hill
This hill is reportedly the steepest street in Orange County and one of the top 10 steepest in the country, according to RoadBikeReview.com. Stay on the stairs to the left of the road. |
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Once you reach the top of the hill, turn left on Park Avenue.
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9. Little Free Library
Many homeowners in Laguna Beach have constructed 'Little Free Libraries'. They are to promote literacy and the love of reading, while building a sense of community. This is a free book exchange, so if you have any books you would like to donate, please do so. For more information on these libraries, go to www.littlefreelibrary.org. |
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10. Laguna Beach High School
This public school was established in 1934 with the "Breakers" as their mascot. In 1936, they changed to the "Artists" to recognize the city's artistic roots. In 2003, the student body decided to change back to the "Breakers". Water polo and volleyball are the most popular sports at the school. From 2004-2006, there was an MTV reality show showcasing several of the town's high school students. Some well-known students from this school are: Taylor Hawkins – Drummer, member of the Foo Fighters Dain Blanton – Olympian 2000 Gold Medal Beach Volleyball and now sports commentator Lauren Conrad - Actress, TV personality Kristin Cavallari - Actress, TV personality |
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11. Water can collection
I absolutely love unique collections and the out of the ordinary display from this homeowner. "Don't be afraid of being different, be afraid of being the same as everyone else." -quotesgram.com |
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12. Wendt Terrace
William Wendt was a California Impressionist painter who moved to Laguna Beach in the early 1900s. He was given the name, 'the dean of Southern California artists' and was the first president of the California Art Club. In April of 2015, William Wendt's, "The Old Coast Road," circa 1916, sold at auction for $1,565,000. (Do not cross to this street - stay on left sidewalk going up Park Ave.) |
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13. Park Avenue hill
Are you ready to elevate your heart rate? Start charging up this hill and you will get in a fabulous workout. Please stay on the sidewalk because sometimes the cars think they are in a Nascar race driving too fast and they don't always stay inside the lanes. |
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14. Heckel Greenbelt Preserve
Betty Heckel donated money for this land to Laguna Greenbelt upon her death. This non-profit organization was created in 1968 and serves to protect wildlife habitat in Orange County. Their main goals are to:
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15. Caves
Lots of different cave formations can be seen while walking up Park Avenue. Beware of coyotes and critters living inside. |
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16. Coastal blooms
During various times of the year, wildflowers bloom all along Park Avenue. If you want to learn more about the flora and fauna that reside here, go to the Nix Nature Center at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road. |
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17. Pacific Ocean Views
Your hard work is paying off with views of the Pacific Ocean and unique hillside homes. You have just power walked 1.5 miles with 0.5 miles to go until you reach the top. Keep going! |
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18. Thurston Middle School
This public middle school was named after the first family who settled and stayed in Laguna Beach in 1871. The mascot is the Wave Rider and it was recognized as a California Distinguished School in 2014. |
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19. Modern Architecture
One of the most prominent modern architects in town is Horst Noppenberger. Two of my favorite buildings he did in town was Hotel Seven4One and the Obagi Skin Care building, both on PCH. The Hotel has a "Living Wall" gracing the front and the Obagi building has a large curved stone wall that emulates the shape of a human body. Laguna Beach has a fun architecture club in town called, "Laguna Friends of Architecture". They usually meet once a month and have speakers and home tours. |
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20. Ken Frank View Park
This small park was created in 2012 and named the Ken Frank View Park by the City Council to honor the retired city manager who served the city for 31 years. Ken was an advocate for open-space preservation and spent $40-$50 million of the city's money to buy thousands of acres of open space in Laguna Canyon. He is also credited for creating amenities at Moulton Meadows, Lang, Alta Laguna, Treasure Island and Arch Beach Heights View parks. |
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21. Park Avenue Nature Trail
This hiking trail is part of the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. The trailhead starts at Alta Laguna Park and it is approximately 0.8 miles long. |
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22. Top of the World
Congratulations! You have reached the the top of Park Avenue and the area of Laguna called, "Top of the World". This is the corner of Alta Laguna and Park Avenue. You have to touch this tree or your walk doesn't count! Now you can walk down the way you came. Going the opposite direction, you will notice many more things that you didn't see coming up. Look for the purple house on the ridge. Look for the bocci ball court the Hidden Hills community built. |
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