There’s so many hidden gems in Laguna beach. My husband organized a staycation at the Pacific Edge Hotel for our Wedding Anniversary in November. How nice it was to get away for the few days just the two of us. The hotel is situated on the beachfront and the view is breathtaking. I could sit on the balcony all day and watch the waves.
When fall and winter roll around the sunsets on the coastline in Southern California are quite spectacular. The tide was low enough for us to clamber over a few rocks a little north of Main Beach, to find this perfect spot to watch the sunset.
The water looked so inviting but it was pretty chilly. Being on the Pacific Coast, the water temps are around 64℉ during November. My husband was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. So every chance he gets he tries to get into the water, even though the water is MUCH COLDER here than the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
We had dinner at the same place we had our first date. Back then it was called the Beach House, but it’s now the Driftwood Kitchen. We sat at the very same table on the balcony overlooking the waves crashing on the beach. Even though it had been 16 years, it felt like yesterday. How time has flown! Driftwood is a quaint restaurant with a very relaxed vibe. The food was delicious and the service was great. They offered a blanket when it got chilly which was a nice touch. I’d definitely recommend it as a spot for a romantic date.
The following day we decided to have an early morning stroll on the beach which inevitably led us to get breakfast at the Orange Inn Cafe. It may look like a little hole in the wall but it’s a local gem. The French toast is to die for and I always get a cranberry orange muffin to-go for later. Their food is too good!
Pacific edge hotel offers chairs to sit on on the beach with fresh towels. So we sat out most of the day just relaxing and soaking up the sun.
That night we decided to go to Mozambique for dinner. It wasn’t too much of a walk from the hotel. Mozambique’s cuisine is inspired by the flavorful food and spices of South Africa and it’s one of our favorite choices in Laguna Beach. Can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Mozambique has a few levels, all catered towards a specific dining experience. The top level is the Roof Top Deck – this is beautiful for sunsets and cocktails. Under the Rooftop, there’s the Shebeen Lounge – where they have live music thru-out the week. Each night is a different genre. To the side of the Shebeen Lounge is the Durban Room – which is a ‘speak easy’ lounge that offers a bar with fireplace and firepit, perfect for a night cap. Downstairs, is the formal dining area called the Boma Room for larger groups, and the Garden Patio for a more casual dining experience.
DISHES WE LOVE ON THE MENU:
- Peri-Peri Chicken Pops
- Durban Curry
- Center Prime Filet
- Mozambique Burger
- Prego Steak burger
- and all their desserts are divine!
Laguna Beach is one of our favorite places. It has so much culture and raw beauty. Even after all these years, we are still finding hidden coves and beaches we haven’t seen before.
