Laguna Beach Visitors Guide 2009-2010 - (Page 22) PG 22 JEFFREY THAYER Picnic Beach Rock, an often photographed formation, is found here. Popular attractions include body surfing, body boarding, diving and tidepooling, but surfing is not allowed. Brooks Street Beach Located at the end of Brooks Street and down the steps sits a top surf spot in Laguna. Brooks Street Beach is home to one of the most famous surf contests, the Brooks Street Summer Surf Classic, and features a south swell that often generates big waves, making it a local favorite. If you’re not a surfer, sit atop the bluffs to catch all the action below. Agate Street Beach Descend the stairs at the end of Agate Street and you’ll arrive at Agate Street Beach. Close to downtown shops, restaurants and resorts, Agate Street Beach is tucked-away and offers some seclusion. Locals like this spot because surfing is allowed, although during the busy summer season when kids and families take to the water, surfing is limited to certain hours for safety reasons. Oak Street Beach At the foot of Oak Street sits one of Laguna’s great sunbathing spots. Oak Street Beach features plenty of sand, but there’s no surfing allowed here. Body surfing and body boarding are enjoyed at Oak Street Beach. Bluebird Beach Located in front of Surf & Sand Resort (1555 South Coast Hwy.) at the base of Bluebird Canyon, the best access to Bluebird Beach is via a ramp located at the corner of South Coast Highway and Bluebird Canyon. Bluebird Beach offers a long sandy stretch that’s popular with sunbathers, and a strong shore break attracts body surfers and boogie boarders to the area. Thalia Street Beach A local favorite, Thalia Street Beach is all about surfing. Situated on a rock reef, the coastline here is nature’s perfect design for surfers. If you’re a novice though, take caution. Rip conditions are common, and pay attention to which parts of the beach are designated for surfers. Finding this beach is easy. Just look for Thalia Street Surf Shop (903 South Coast Hwy.) on Thalia Street; locate the nearby stairs that descend to the beach. Cress Street Beach Seclusion and a rocky shoreline are what Cress Street Beach is most known for. The formations, which look volcanic, offer postcard images. Getting here is tricky because there are no markers. Head down Cress Street toward the beach, then look for stairs that descend to the sand and you’ve arrived. Although the rocks make ocean sports difficult, some local surfers prefer this spot because it’s usually not crowded. Cleo Street Beach Known as a family beach because of its close proximity to downtown, Cleo Street Beach is easy to find at the end of Cleo Street. Favorite activities here include skimboarding, body boarding, and scuba and skin diving. There’s even a ship wreck here about 200 yards offshore! Known as the Cleo Street Barge, the wreckage is more than 50 years old and is said to be in fair condition. HELD EACH JULY at Aliso Beach Park in South Laguna Beach, the Victoria Skimboards World Championship gets underway and is considered the most prestigious event on the skimboarding circuit. Only the most qualified skimboarders are eligible to compete in the event. FOR MORE INFO LOGON TO www.lagunabeachinfo.com http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com
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