Heisler Park Walk
Start and Finish: iconic Lifeguard Tower at Main Beach (PCH/Ocean Ave.)
Time: 1-2 hours depending on your pace (no walking in sand, just hard surfaces)
Length: 1 mile (some stairs, slight hills and crossing busy streets (use cross walks, watch for drivers texting or on cell phones, eye contact before crossing)
Map: At the bottom of this page you will find the map. Click on it to print. Follow the numbers and use the pictures below to help guide you.
Sights: 17 public art pieces, 6 landmarks, scenic ocean views, coastal blooms, art galleries, restaurants, and much much more!
Time: 1-2 hours depending on your pace (no walking in sand, just hard surfaces)
Length: 1 mile (some stairs, slight hills and crossing busy streets (use cross walks, watch for drivers texting or on cell phones, eye contact before crossing)
Map: At the bottom of this page you will find the map. Click on it to print. Follow the numbers and use the pictures below to help guide you.
Sights: 17 public art pieces, 6 landmarks, scenic ocean views, coastal blooms, art galleries, restaurants, and much much more!
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1. Lifeguard Tower
Laguna's most photographed landmark, this structure was built in the 1920s and was used as an office for a gas station. In the 1930s the lifeguards took it over and moved it across PCH to where it is now. The top floor is used for observation, the ground floor has first aid and rescue equipment, and the dug-out basement is surfboard storage. |
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2. "Birdbath" by Marlo Bartels
Marlo Bartels dedicated this birdbath to the late, Roy Holm, who was a City Council member from 1968-1976. This piece was installed at Main Beach in 2000. It is really hard to find. It is in between the boardwalk and PCH in some bushes. |
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3. "Grace" Mural at the Lifeguard Headquarters
This mural by Terry Thornsley, commissioned by the city of Laguna Beach, includes two figures rowing a dory in churning seas. It's located next to the lifeguard headquarters and lights up at night. I especially love the "Sticks on Fire" planted in front of it. |
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(go up these stairs) |
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4. "Support" bench by Louis Longi
Louis Longi created one of my favorite benches overlooking Main Beach. It's called "Support", paying tribute to the city of Laguna Beach and how they support our local artists through commissioned projects and annual art festivals. |
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"Sea Breeze" by Sukhdev Dail
Quoting the artist describing his 7 foot tall bronze sculpture: "The sculpture encapsulates mother nature, the qualities of knowledge, creativity and freedom, uniting the human figure with abstraction of invisible wind. She is active and full of joy, she is a siren of the sea, conquer of wind, she is the queen of the sea shore." |
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5. Inn at Laguna Beach This beach front hotel is just steps from the beach, restaurants, shops and Heisler Park. They have a pool and rooftop bar for cocktails at sunset. |
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6. Las Brisas Mexican Restaurant
Amazing views await you at this ocean front restaurant featuring a world class brunch. They also have an amazing patio with a million-dollar ocean view. |
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7. The Gazebo
Laguna's famous Gazebo in Heisler Park overlooks the vast Pacific Ocean. Back in 1896, a pier was constructed from the Gazebo to Bird Rock. It was destroyed in 1939 by a great storm and all that remains are the supports at Bird Rock. You can get a permit to get married here for $268. |
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8. "2001#1" by Jerry Rothman
A professor at Cal State Fullerton for 25 years, Jerry Rothman loved working with clay and developed "ferro-ceramic", mixing clay and inorganic particles, to help his pieces from shrinking and cracking. |
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9. "Gnarly Tree"
This old and crooked pick melaleuca tree is a great climbing tree for young children. This tree is estimated to be approximately 60 years old and is in the process of being included on the Heritage Tree list. The city maintains this tree and periodically brings in an arborist to oversee its trimming and report on its health. |
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10. "Rock Pile Carve" bench by George Stone
This bench was create in 2000 by George Stone, who used to surf this local break. The rock represents a wave and the stainless steel represents a surfboard cutting through the wave. |
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11. "Breaching Whale" by Jon Seeman This 19 foot tall stainless steel whale was installed at the end of Heisler Park's $7.5 million renovation in 2011. Jon is a local artist with his studio in The Canyon. Jon's family goes back to the 1880's here and his ancestors have some claims to fame's: - First recorded artist - First fire chief - Built fastest rum running boat |
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Amphitheater - Sunset Serenades Another great addition with the 2011 renovation of Heisler Park was this 100 seat amphitheater. The city puts on free concerts here periodically. You should contact the Visitor's Center for upcoming dates. |
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(go up these stairs) |
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12. "Semper Memento" by Jorg Dubin
The two steel beams in this sculpture are from the World Trade Center towers and represent where two planes flew into them on 9-11-01. The concrete base, in a pentagon shape, represents the plane that hit it, and under the reflective ball is some grass representing the grassy field in Pennsylvania where the last terrorist plane crashed. Buried under the sculpture is an American Flag, which draped the steel girders during the cross country trip. "Semper Memento" in Latin means "We will always remember". |
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The American Legion Monument
This American Legion Post 222 presented this memorial which includes two plaques commemorating the memories of those who gave their lives to protect our freedom, as well as those who served in the armed forces during time of war. |
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Laguna Beach Time Capsule
This time capsule located inside the American Legion Monument was placed there in 1977 and will be opened on May 30, 2027. |
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Walk down the stairs to the north of The Monument and walk north
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13. Picnic Beach
This area is great for family picnics and is available on a first come first serve basis. Every Memorial Day, the Laguna Beach Exchange Club hosts a pancake breakfast here, served by our firefighters, with the proceeds going to charity. |
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14. Diver's Cove
Laguna Beach has some of the best coves for scuba divers in the world. Marine life such as reef fish, leopard sharks, and sting rays can all be seen while diving. The Laguna Sea Dwellers Dive Club is one of the largest clubs of its kind and is open to all levels. If you want to learn how to dive or rent scuba equipment, you can go to Laguna Sea Sports in north Laguna. For more about diving, click here for my diving article on LagunaBeach.com. |
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Go up the stairs at Diver's Cove and look for this next bench
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"Trio" bench by Jorg Dubin
This bench sits above Divers Cove in Laguna Beach. It is embossed with pre-historic marine wildlife. This bench is a memorial to two people who passed away near here while saving a young child who was swept off the rocks by a large wave. |
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15. "Rendezvous" by Tuan
The artist says this sculpture represents the balance in a relationship between trust and love. Tuan was born in Vietnam and escaped after the fall of Saigon. He then made it to Laguna Beach and graduated from the Laguna College of Art and Design. |
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16. "A Rocky Ledge" by Klemek and Robbins
Located on a grassy site next to our lawn bowling facility, this bench echoes the colors, textures, and shapes of the coves below. Another great spot for a picnic! |
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Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club
This club, with an ocean view, was started in 1931. Your bowling lane is called a "rink", and the balls are oblong and called "bowls". You can become a member for a $50 initiation fee plus an annual fee of $175. Each game you play is $1 and the club recommends you wear all white on holidays and weekends. |
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17. "Time Connected", "Continuous Rotation", "Tidal Pull" by Scott and Naomi Schoenerr The first picture here is of Mark Porterfield, Shelley Cooper, Naomi Schoenerr, and Scott Schoenerr, at the dedication of this work. These pieces were inspired by Shelley's poem, "Sparkle (Giggle Crack)" and funded by Mark Porterfield and the Arts Commission. This was the 79th piece of public art commissioned and the second in Laguna Beach for the husband/wife duo, Scott and Naomi. |
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18. "In Central Park" by Jerry Rothman
This ceramic piece seemed to be growing up in between the shrubbery. Jerry was a sculptor, industrial designer, potter and teacher. He is best known for his book, "Feat of Clay: Five Decades of Jerry Rothman". |
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Laguna Beach Sister Cities Garden
These three, beautiful, distinct gardens represent native foliage from Laguna's sister cities: San Jose del Cabo, Mexico; Menton, France; and St. Ives, England. This non-profit association's primary goal is to partner with these cities to encourage a collaborative exchange of cultural, educational, and business activities. |
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19. "Tidepool Paddleboard" by Gill and Heath This bench, made of stainless steel and cast glass, was created by Larry Gill and Gavin Heath in 2013. The hand-blown glass reminds us of the tide pools seen below at low tide. This bench, with a beautiful ocean view, is part of our transit system. |
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Walk up Jasmine Street and cross PCH, then go south (back toward Main Beach)
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20. North Gallery Row
This group of galleries in north Laguna has branded themselves "North Gallery Row". One of my favorite monthly events in Laguna Beach is our “First Thursdays Art Walk.” The name pretty much explains it all! On the first Thursday of every month, most of our art galleries in Laguna Beach are open from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Many of the galleries feature live music and artists doing demonstrations. Whether you are perusing world-class art or shopping for the next piece of art for your living room…or just enjoying the festive atmosphere, many of the galleries serve complimentary drinks and snacks for your enjoyment. Just a reminder, if you are served an adult beverage, the police would prefer you not wander from gallery to gallery with an open container. |
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21. "Eucalyptus Bench" by Julia Klemek
Located in front of Madison Square Cafe, this artist-designed bench was the first one ever commissioned by the City of Laguna Beach. It pays homage to the eucalyptus trees planted by the early homesteaders and are present in many of the early plein air paintings of Laguna Beach. |
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22. Urth Caffe, formerly The Cottage Restaurant
The architecture of this structure is Craftsman bungalow in the Japanese-Swiss style. It was originally the house of developer Joe Skidmore, then in 1938 it became the Laguna Vista Cafe. In 1957, it changed to the Pancake Cottage, and in 1964, The Cottage. Urth Cafe has undergone a major renovation and has recently opened serving organic teas, coffees and small bites. |
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Walk across PCH to get to the Laguna Art Museum
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23. Laguna Art Museum
This is Laguna Beach's premier art museum started in the early 1900s by a group of artists, with Edgar Payne as their president. This museum features California art ranging from all periods and styles, nineteenth-century to present-day. Free admission is every First Thursday of the month from 5pm-9pm. |
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Colorful Tile Bench - Marlo Bartels
Marlo is a native Californian and longtime Laguna Beach resident. Inside the museum he created the "Drinking Fountain Wall" in the lower level, as well as this colorful bench, outside, to the right of the front door. Bronze Snail - Tim Shockley
I heard, through a friend of a friend, that this bronze snail was put on outside wall of the Laguna Art Museum in the middle of the night over 10 years ago. This "Graffiti Art" is located on the bottom left side of Marlo Bartels colorful tile bench. |
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Head back down the hill south on PCH to get to the Lifeguard Tower, where you started this walking tour. Thanks for exploring Laguna Beach!
