One Solo Day in Laguna Niguel

You have heard the question over and over again: “What would you do if you had one day?”  Most of the time, the question is asked for hypothetical or existential reasons while we ponder life, family and careers. But what if this question were a real one, what if you had one day – maybe an extra day after a work trip, or one day to spend with your girl friends.  I recently gave myself the ultimate in gifts, one {extra} solo day in Laguna Niguel after a conference.  In my head, I took the extra day to get caught up on organization and deadlines, but once there, I decided that I owed it to myself to make the most of one day in Laguna Niguel.

Beach Time in Laguna Niguel

Laguna Niguel is located amidst the coastal San Joaquin Hills of southern Orange County California.  Perched perfectly overlooking the Pacific, you cannot help but want to make your way down the cliff to feel the sand between your toes and the ocean breeze in your hair.  Knowing that it might be a long time before the Pacific Ocean shoreline beckons me again, my one day in Laguna Niguel, despite the cloudy and sometimes drizzly skies, started on the beach.

Walking along the beach in Laguna Niguel is not as easy as it sounds since you are never sure which direction to look. One the one side are the luxurious and picturesque homes that overlook the beach, while on the other lays the Pacific and the potential to see dolphins off the coast.  In case that was not enough scenery, there are also the surfers masked in wetsuits, one with their surf boards. Losing track of time, walking all the way from one point to another, the ocean lifestyle washed over me, as cheesy as it sounds, allowing me to think, reflect and focus on my thoughts and goals.

Exploring Laguna Beach

While I could usually stay on the beach all day long, I eventually left the ocean breezes and sand and headed north on the Pacific Coast highway to the seaside community of Laguna Beach. There was an allure that led me to take a taxi to this quaint artistic city.  It just seemed wrong not to explore, even if just for a few hours.

The first thing that struck me walking up and down the streets of Laguna Beach is that while certainly, this was a perfect tourist destination, there was also very much a community feel. People knew each other and talked to one another on the sidewalks. Scandia Bakery & Deli, with its delicious looking pastries, was full of couples, individuals and families enjoying their Sunday afternoon. The playground at the beach area in the center of town was full of local children playing while their parents enjoyed a work free afternoon.

I could have spent hours (and I did) perusing the Art for the Soul gallery and boutique. Unique artwork, funny and touching greeting cards, jewelry and home decor create an atmosphere of tranquility, inspiration and whimsy. The only thing that saved me from going on a spending spree was knowing that I was getting on a plane the next day (though technically, I have a feeling that the owners would ship pieces, but asking would have been dangerous for my budget).

Enjoying Fish Tacos

There are restaurant choices of all types in Laguna Beach with outdoor seating and distinctive ambiances, but I remembered from the taxi drive that not to far away was a fish taco restaurant that had gotten my attention.  Although I could have looked it using my phone, I walked back heading south on the Pacific Coast Highway until I found what I had been looking for: Taco Loco.

I have a confession to make. I am not sure I have ever eaten a fish taco. In part because well, the east coast is not known for fish tacos, and secondly because…somehow the idea of fish in a taco never made sense to me. Until recently that is. I was determined to experience a real, California fish taco and Taco Loco would be my first introduction.

Taco Loco reminded me of food trucks that have become trendy. I imagine that on busy days, there is a line through the parking lot and down the sidewalk to order.  On this particular Sunday afternoon, a few stools outside were open (inside is standing room only). The menu colorfully announced the choices for the day with selections like lobster tacos, seabass tacos, potato tacos, mahi mahi, or blackened salmon tacos. There were even vegetarian options (this was California after all)…and beer if you wanted to stand at the counter inside.  My clueless and overwhelmed at all the choices face must have signaled that I was new to fish tacos and the owner kindly suggested blackened mahi mahi tacos, to which I added hot sauce and avocado.  I could tell you how good they were or I could simply say, I now understand  (and embrace) the hype about fish tacos (from California).

One day of solo travel time to explore and enjoy Laguna Niguel (and Laguna Beach) ended in the only way that a truly decadent day could: with room service overlooking the ocean. The perfect end to a perfect day, all thanks to the simple idea of adding one extra day to my cross country trip.  While it is not always possible to take the extra time for a solo adventure, even if just for a day, my day in Laguna Niguel reminded me how important it is to take that time for ourselves on any trip.

What about you? Have you ever taken an extra day for yourself while traveling? How did you spend it?