This laidback California beach community combines boho chic and an artsy vibe. Here’s our must-see, must-do itinerary.

picnic

The newly refurbished Heisler Park winds up above the beach offering pretty views and great picnic spots. Fill your beach basket at nearby Whole Foods.

shop

Want to dress like the locals? Ultra-soft T-shirts, drawstring pajama pants, Isabel Marant booties and baskets of gorgeous, Turkish hammam towels abound at Laguna Supply. 210 Beach St., Laguna Beach, CA, 949-497-8850, http://pinterest.com/lagunasupply

 

beach

The Pacific Edge Hotel has just renovated its five beachfront cabanas, which can be rented daily for up to 10 people each. Massages, bottle service, pedicures, and even photography are on offer. Each one has been designed by a different creative group or store, with one resembling a surf shop with Hoby surfboard pictures, another with a fan made from sailboat sails, and another stocked with kids books and a chalkboard table. Each has a private deck with loungers and direct beach access. Rates vary by season/day. VIP cabana Host, 949-281-5720, www.pacificedgehotel.com

eat

A refined surf-shack that is part of the California chainlet, Umami Burger is the go-to spot to refuel after surf and sand. Check out the plank walls, folding chairs and vintage surf posters, and order the Umami Burger with shiitake mushrooms and a parmesan crisp. Umami Burger, 620 Pacific Highway, 949-342-1210, www.umami.com

—Sarah Bancroft
 

Forget the Orange County stereotype of bottle blondes and plastic surgery; Laguna Beach is the best of California cool. Herewith, our favourite boho beach town spots.

sleep
The Surf and Sand Resort defines laid-back luxury. With aqua-inspired decor, all of the spacious rooms have balconies with a spectacular ocean view (our bellboy even pointed out a dolphin on the horizon). After watching the sunset on the beach, head to the pool deck for cocktail hour in a cabana. Do make dinner reservations at Splashes Restaurant and be sure to request a table on the patio–the best spot to nosh on the fresh California fare, like Dungeness crab and apple salad. From $405, www.surfandsandresort.com

shop
Stocked with hard-to-find brands like Rodebjer, Suno and Vena Cava, 11th Moon's mix of ultra-stylish contemporary pieces will have you longing for one of each. But here's a fashionable silver lining: its online shop ships to Canada, so you can get your boho-chic fix any time you like. 1259 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, http://11thmoon.com

Curated to perfection, Laguna Supply carries a great selection of Isabel Marant (and her husband Jerome Dreyfuss' satchels), along with other big names Elizabeth and James, Rag & Bone and Trovata. This summer look for plenty of military pieces, stripes and pops of colour. 210 Beach St., Laguna Beach, 949-497-8850.

listen
One look at the windows of Sound Spectrum record shop and it's clear reggae reigns supreme. A Laguna Beach fixture since 1967, owner Jim Otto has his own Sunday afternoon radio show and Sound Spectrum's sales chart is published weekly in The Laguna Independent. Who knew listening stations and flipping through vinyl could make us feel so young. 1264 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, www.soundspectrumlaguna.com/

—MT