Hiding in Plain Sight: My Staycation at Laguna Surf Lodge
I've driven past Laguna Surf Lodge more times than I can count.
You know the spot. Right off PCH, oceanfront, that pool area you catch a glimpse of as you speed by and think, what actually is back there? And then you keep driving, because that's what you do when you live here. You assume you'll get around to it eventually.
This week, my boyfriend, Cory and I finally got around to it. And I'll be honest, checking in felt less like a hotel arrival and more like finally walking through a door I'd been casually ignoring for years.
Surf Lodge Background
Laguna Surf Lodge has been part of this coastline for decades. It originally operated as the Laguna Riviera, a mid-century inn that opened in the 40’s and became one of those quietly beloved Laguna hotels that was always just there. It recently got a thoughtful refresh under SCP Hotels, which kept the laid-back, oceanfront character intact while adding a few modern (and very beachy) perks.
SCP operates on an "Every Stay Does Good" model, meaning a portion of your stay goes toward environmental initiatives like tree planting and conservation efforts.
They've also introduced Wild Wellness, a program built around nature-based experiences, guided cold plunges, early morning surf sessions, and rituals that pull you back into the environment instead of away from it.
It all sounds very wellness-forward on paper, but in practice, it feels easy, optional, adventurous, and entirely in keeping with what Laguna already is.
Our Room with the View of All Views
Our travel day was about 15 minutes, which is one of the genuine pleasures of a local staycation done right.
We checked into our oceanfront room and walked straight out to the balcony, and that's really where the trip began.
The view is unobstructed ocean, nothing cutting into it, just water and sky and the kind of constant wave that immediately makes you want to hop on Zillow and dream browse oceanfront real estate.
Two hanging swings looked out over all of it, and we basically didn't leave them for the rest of the afternoon.
Sunset from those swings was something. But what actually got me was the next morning, that soft marine layer rolling in, everything quiet, and the kind of perfectly perfect light you only notice when you're not in a hurry.
A Dreamy Laguna Afternoon
After we checked in, we walked over to The Deck on Laguna Beach for lunch, which is always a good call when you want to sit right on the sand and do absolutely nothing productive.
After a Spritz and running into a few friends, we headed up the street to A La Carte, the new wine and snack shop to pick up a bottle and a few things to bring back, and spent the rest of the afternoon exactly where we'd started: on the balcony, wine in hand, watching the sun go down, with quite a few new seagull friends.
When the sun finally dropped, we wandered over to the hotel fire pits where a few other guests were hanging out, then made our way to the jacuzzi, which is larger than you'd expect and quickly became our go-to spot.
That Secret Pool
Here’s the thing about the pool: It’s exactly what you hope and nothing like you’d expect.
It’s partially hidden from PCH, so you see just enough to make you curious, but never enough to get the full picture. But once you’re inside, it has this cool, tucked-away feel like you could be anywhere. Hanging succulents drape from the open-air ceiling, the light filters in just right, and it feels much more like a private courtyard than a typical hotel pool. It’s one of those places where you realize, oh, this has been here the whole time… and I kinda LOVE it.
An Early Morning of Fitness and Tea
Sleeping next to the ocean has a way of waking you up early without any effort. We got up right around sunrise with no alarm and decided to lean into it. We walked over to Laguna Health Club for a workout, then strolled over to Laguna Coffee Company for avocado toast and tea — a very classic Laguna morning, the kind hardcore locals repeat indefinitely.
After that, we went back to the hotel, sat in the jacuzzi (I’m obsessed), and got ready for something I wasn’t entirely confident about: SURFING.
The Surf Lesson That Actually Worked
We took a short golf cart ride over to La Vida Laguna and met our instructor, Jake. We were fitted for wetsuits, walked across PCH to Oak Street, and were officially doing it.
For context, I’ve tried to surf my entire life and have never gotten it. So when I say my expectations were low, I really mean my expectations were zero.
Jake was patient, clear, and somehow made everything make sense in a way it never had before. We practiced on the sand, paddled out, and then he started pushing me into waves.
I caught one. Then another. And then another. I tried six times and caught five waves, which is basically a life event I will be bragging about for decades.
At some point I just started laughing because I couldn’t believe it was actually working. I probably said “this is so cool” about 100 times and loved sitting out there on my board looking at the shoreline from a totally different perspective.
Now, I’m fully convinced I’m a surfer, which Cory (an actual surfer) finds very entertaining.
(I have a very strong suspicion I’ll be getting a surfboard and wetsuit for my birthday next week.)
California Burritos at Sunset
After the lesson, we rinsed off, walked down to The Taco Stand for California burritos (as a true surfer should), and took them straight to the beach for sunset.
The Taco Stand has an interesting local history, as it occupies what was once one of the oldest Taco Bell locations in the country (it opened in 1967 and operated for over 50 years before closing in 2021). While it has the same bones or the original, it’s a completely different energy now… and yes, it’s PACKED. (For good reason, the food is definitely delicious — just be prepared to stand in line for at least 45 minutes, minimum.)
The Classic Orange Inn
To begin our final day, we started our morning with a beach walk down to the iconic Orange Inn for breakfast. The Orange Inn has been a Laguna fixture since the 30’s, when it began as a small roadside juice stand close to Crystal Cove serving fresh-squeezed orange juice to travelers passing through.
Over the years, it evolved into the local favorite it is now at its current location on PCH, but never lost that easy, no-frills feel. Inside, the walls are covered in old Laguna photos, and it genuinely feels like stepping into a different version of the town.
We weren’t planning on ordering anything beyond coffee and breakfast… until we saw strawberry lemonade mimosas made with fresh-squeezed strawberries.
There was no scenario where we weren’t ordering that.
The 15-Minute Drive Home
After breakfast, we walked back along the beach, did one last jacuzzi dip (obviously), and packed up to make the long 15-minute drive home.
It was just two nights.
We didn't go far or do anything particularly elaborate. But it felt like an actual vacation, the kind where you come back genuinely rested.
That's the thing about a well-chosen staycation. The distance isn't really the point.
Now every time I drive past Laguna Surf Lodge on PCH, I won't just glance over and keep going. I’ll know exactly what's back there.
Laguna Surf Lodge is located at 1289 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach. Surf lessons available through La Vida Laguna.
Photos by the lovely Mari Verdugo, a talented photographer and 4th generation local who just brought a 5th generation bebe into the world!
