About Laguna Beach : About Laguna Beach Real Estate @ cali-homes.com

The differences are geographic, social and political. And they endure. Unlike most of the rest of Orange County, it was never included in any of the Spanish land grants. Laguna quickly gained a reputation as a beachfront resort. Even in the days of mule trails and stage coaches, inlanders from such new towns as Santa Ana and El Toro would make the daylong trek to the quaint seashore village. They'd set up tents and stay the weekend. Some would build summer homes - hasty clapboard cottages with few embellishments, but spectacular views. A few still stand. Spaniards who arrived later called it Canada de las Lagunas (Canyon of the Lakes) and in 1904, the area became known as Laguna Beach. Around the same time artist Norman St. Claire traveled from San Francisco by train and stage to capture the scenery on canvas. His artist friends were so impressed with his paintings and reports of a balmy year-round climate that they joined him. The plein-air artists who painted in the style of French impressionists, settled and by the late 1920’s, half of the residents were artists. Located mid-way between Los Angeles and San Diego, the city of Laguna Beach is a seaside village of 25,000-plus residents that includes hundreds of local working artists and unique gift shops. It is known for its clean sandy beaches, working artists and annual festivals, Laguna Beach is the perfect California small town getaway and perfect place to reside in.