The first time I stayed at Surf and Sand, a historic oceanfront hotel in Laguna Beach, I had my barbarian horde in tow — that is, my three kids and affable husband. We’d been in Southern California for more than a week while our oldest boy went to baseball camp, and our retreat to artsy Laguna Beach with its some 100 art galleries, seven miles of heart-quickening coves, mysterious bluffs, and steep, home-dotted hillsides was meant to be a reward for me. After all, the kids’ treat had been Disneyland. We chose Surf and Sand then for its legendary reputation as a hub for silver screen stars and other glitterati since 1948. Today, it remains a haven of barefoot chic, a casually glamorous hotel perched so near the crashing waves that on our first visit we received complimentary ear plugs as an amenity, lest we shuddered at the lullaby-like rhythm of the sea. Needless to say, we loved the pounding — and that’s the first thing I noticed upon my return: my room seemed suspended over the water, the surf a come-hither offer to seek luxurious repose. The sort of place that feels like a private club or even a convivial apartment building filled with fabulous people, this hotel is the epitome of SoCal cool and glam.
Hotel Highlights
A unique stay that straddles the past and the present equally, fueled by both its status as a local icon for decades and its commitment to contemporary refinement and refurbishment over the years, Surf & Sand is situated minutes from Laguna Beach’s best boutiques and restaurants. It flanks a stunning crescent of beach. Blurring the line between earth and sea, its new open-air, oceanview lobby and lounge draws guests to peer at the waves. Adorned with stunning art pieces, including work by Dale Chihuly, the common areas and restaurant artwork further the hotel’s palpable ode to sense of place, playing to the town’s artistic roots. A stunning pool, replete with snazzy pool bar, overlooks the beach. Expect sophisticated, attentive, but laid-back staff (many of whom have worked at the hotel for decades and remember your name) throughout the hotel — especially at signature Splashes and the terrace-sited Splashes Bar. Newly reimagined, Splashes restaurant continues its domination of the local coastal cuisine scene with not-to-miss dishes such as tableside lobster bisque and olive oil poached sea trout. Just launched, the Bella Vista Terrace offers al fresco seating, connecting the nucleus of the hotel with its shops and stellar Aquaterra Spa. The vibe here is an assumption that everybody is someone important: Surf & Sand welcomes families, couples, and solo travelers.
Rooms and Experience
I always have the sense of being rocked to sleep here. Each of Surf & Sand’s 165 rooms and suites look to the Pacific Ocean, with the hotel set up in low-rise, side-by-side blocks, connected by the restaurant. Recently refurbished with terraces and window-like glass doors, the rooms scintillate with bright whites, sand-hued taupe tones, and pops of elegant blues. Sun soaked, they reflect the sea, beach, and sky. Bespoke furniture and Italian marble finishes add a delicate, refined aura to the mix. The Oceanfront California Suite spreads out to a lavish 1,100 square feet of private living space, including two king bedrooms — perfect for families, while the Oceanfront Vista suites appeal to couples looking for double vanities and separate living and bedrooms. Note to bathtub lovers: not every room is equipped with a soaking tub, so be sure to state your preference upon booking.
What to Know Before You Go
To beat the crowds, consider booking in late spring or early fall. Art aficionados will want to take a concierge-guided stroll through the resort’s art collection, glass of wine in hand, to view pieces such as local artist Jorg Dubin’s Tempest. Visit on a first Thursday to partake of Laguna Beach’s popular First Thursdays Art Walk, held 6-9 pm, showcasing some 40 galleries near the hotel.
Address: 1555 S Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California 92651
Closest Airport: John Wayne Airport, Orange County, is 15 miles away; LAX is a one-hour drive contingent on traffic.
Feature image courtesy of Surf & Sand Laguna Beach. Travel Curator may earn a commission from product or booking links on this page.
