City Living Network x Laguna Beach Living: An Editor’s Retreat of Inspiration
This September marked our third annual City Living Network x Laguna Beach Living Editor’s Retreat, and like each year prior, we took to the seas.
A 44-foot catamaran sailed us from Newport Harbor to Emerald Bay for four hours of sunshine, strategy, and connection with 15 city guide editors — and an Amalfi-inspired theme that proved Laguna can rival Positano any day.
City Living Network (CLN) is a community of editors running city guides across the country — from Maui to Naples (FL), Boulder to Las Vegas, Boone (NC) to Dana Point, and of course, right here in Laguna Beach.
Each guide is local and personal, tied together by a shared mission: spotlighting our communities in creative and localized ways while building businesses that open doors.
We are a group of women who boost each other up. We all run city guides in our own respective towns — so we collab, inspire, hold each other accountable, and meet monthly via Zoom… rather than compete.
Our annual Editor’s Retreat is about moving those friendships from online to IRL — and making space to think BIG… for ourselves, our cities, and beyond.
We journaled, shared our 1, 3, and 10-year visions, and brainstormed strategies, all while trading ideas, tips and tricks, and laughter face-to-face.
ON BOARD
Boarding the boat felt like the start of summer camp for grown-ups — editors catching up, geeking out over their new branded totes, and diving straight into conversation.
Once we anchored in Emerald Bay, we spread out on the deck with journals, snacks, and drinks, pausing for group photos and, of course, cake. (Give Diva Deb an Amalfi theme and she’s in lemon heaven.)
We rented our catamaran through Captain Newport (note to future self: buy a catamaran). They offer a range of boats depending on the outing, and our 44-foot ride was just the right call for our group — roomy, comfortable, and exactly the vibe for both focused workshops and easy hang time. The booking was smooth and the crew was great. *Special shout out to Captain Mike and his daughter who made sure we always had a full glass of Kind of Wild Rosé at ALL times.
BRAND PARTNERS & SPOTLIGHTS
This year’s retreat came to life through our brand partners. Every product was personally chosen — not just because it looks good in a flatlay, but because it’s something I genuinely LOVE and use.
These weren’t filler items tossed into a bag; they were pieces of the experience itself.
From the Malibu Apothecary candles that set the mood to the Caddis sunglasses that shaded our deck chats, each brand added something tangible that made the retreat feel intentional, elevated, and CALIFORNIA COOL.
APOLIS
APOLIS’ durable, ethically made market bags carried each Editor’s retreat swag. Practical enough for weekly use — from beach picnics in Maui to Farmer’s Market runs in Laguna.
CADDIS
Bold, design-forward eyewear that Editors wore on the boat all afternoon. Frames with personality and substance — a wearable keepsake from the day designed to last forever and stay stylish.
MALIBU APOTHECARY
Luxury, non-toxic candles inspired by the sea. The LAGUNA candle was the obvious choice and brought a true coastal note to the bags.
OSEA
Malibu-based skincare rooted in ocean-inspired wellness. We were applying their Hyaluronic Lip Booster all day — simple, clean... and picture perfect.
WYETH
Wide-brimmed hats that did double duty — sun protection and style. They quickly became the unofficial retreat uniform on deck.
LUCKY COWBOY
Handcrafted leather luggage tags by our photographer, Ally Cook. Useful, personal, and perfectly on-theme for editors who travel.
GEOMETRY HOUSE
Lightweight, quick-dry towels in their Amalfi print lined the deck and packed down small in each bag. Editors wrapped up in them as we cruised home at sunset.
90 DAY HABITS
Journals that actually shaped the retreat — we used them during our 1/3/10-year manifestation planning exercises and kept them open all afternoon.
ALEX HORMOZI $100 MILLION OFFERS BOOK
Full of practical, easy-to-understand business tips, we reference Hormozi’s books often on our Editor’s calls so it just made sense everyone got to go home with their own Hormozi!
GRUNS
Vitamin gummies that added a simple wellness angle to the lineup — easy to pack, easy to use, and aligned with the editors’ day-to-day.
Food & Drinks
KIND OF WILD WINES
Organic, sustainably made wines by a woman-led team. We poured the 2024 Syrah–Grenache Rosé (Pays d’Hérault, France) — fresh and bright, with layers of watermelon, cherry, and strawberry, plus subtle rose-petal and mineral notes. A clean, modern rosé that fit the day.
POP SIPS
Spiked prebiotic soda — lightly carbonated, ~90 calories, fruit-forward. A “better-for-you” option that didn’t feel like a compromise.
JAS
Alcohol-free cocktails with bold, Latin-inspired flavor profiles from founders Jaymee and Cecilia. Inclusive, great-tasting, and right at home on a boat day.
ONE WATER
Patented, stackable spring-water bottles that kept hydration simple and cut down on waste. Smart design, clean taste.
DIVA DEB’S CUPCAKERY
Irvine-based, known for organic ingredients, gluten-free options, and theme-driven designs. Deb created an Amalfi-inspired cake that matched our coastal palette and made the celebration feel dialed-in.
SOCIAL GRAZING OC
Huntington Beach’s big-board specialists. Their charcuterie comfortably fed all 15 editors (with leftovers) and doubled as a styled centerpiece between sessions.
WIGZ LAGUNA
Beloved local sandwich shop housed in a former wig store — hence the name. Hearty, fresh, and very Laguna; their “sandwich with a side of community” ethos fits us to a T.
ACTIVE CULTURE
A personal Laguna favorite for wholesome bowls made from scratch. Balanced, nourishing, and exactly what we wanted between journaling and toasts.
A Network of Inspo
Our City Living Network Editor’s Retreat is about giving editors time to connect and plan the road ahead — and doing it in a setting that feels like us.
Huge thank-you to the brands who partnered with us and the editors who flew in from across the country; you’re part of the stories that will head back to each city guide.
Special thanks to Ally Cook of Sunny Girl Studios for capturing the day — from candid conversations to the small details that tied it all together.
For Laguna Beach Living and City Living Network, this retreat is a reminder that when community and creativity show up in the same place, good things follow.
See you on the catamaran next year.
