My sister-in-law Cindy and I are back on tour in the southland with Laguna Beach being today’s area to explore.  Downtown Laguna Beach gets very busy in the summer with many tourists coming to stay and enjoy the sand, surf, shops and dining.

Treasure Island Beach: Laguna Beach

Whenever someone visits us we can’t help but take them to see this beach behind the Montage Laguna Beach (montagehotels.com) hotel and resort.

Main Beach: Downtown

“Main Beach” (nobody said the OC is known for their creativity) is quite crowded and becomes a zoo on summer weekends.  Note: In South Orange County we have about 488 shopping plazas called “Town Center”.

Adonis: Chicken plate lunch

Cindy opted for the colorful and tasty chicken plate meal at Adonis Mediterranean Grill (949-715-4581).  They are conveniently located right across from the beach and are one of the few affordable delicious options in downtown.  The gent behind the counter is such an efficient multitasker I nearly had to ask him if he truly is a “male”.  🙂

The potatoes are in a red colored oily liquid.  The chicken is nicely grilled with some char.  I have a huge issue with any meat that is remotely dry so this isn’t perfect for me but it is very tasty.

Adonis: One amazing gyro

There is an ample amount of beef/lamb on this gyro.  Normally you get tzatziki sauce or garlic lard paste but this has a creamy garlic sauce which is pure perfection.

Adonis: Gyro sandie

The sandie has lettuce, cucumber, red onion, creamy garlic sauce (NOT lard paste), red pepper, tomatoes and herbs (cilantro?).  This sandwich was so unbelievable.  Yum!  Click on the photo to enlarge it and truly appreciate the visual splendor of this gyro.

SanPellegrino Blood Orange Soda

I don’t care much for soda but on a hot day this refreshing sparkling one is hard to turn down.  Unfortunately the fridge at Adonis is weak or they just added these to it.

Lifeguard Tower: Laguna Beach

A little bit of history at Main Beach.

Village Architecture: Downtown Laguna Beach

Shops, art galleries, and nice cafes and restaurants are commonplace in downtown.

Treasure Island Beach: Laguna

The waters here are quite inviting.

Treasure Island Beach: Laguna Beach

One of the most stunning beaches in Southern California.

Montage: Outdoor seating

This outdoor seating area is just off the elevated pool and near their pricey restaurant.

Montage: Pool

This photo was taken from their lounge and bar.  At $795.00 per night for a standard “horizon” ocean view room, this is how the Richie Rich’s spend their summer.

Montage: View from the lounge

The Ranch at Laguna Beach

Once in a while Bella and I are able to enjoy a round at The Ranch at Laguna Beach (theranchlb.com) golf course.  Cindy and I stopped in for a beverage since the day is hot and I thought she should see a course where her sister “opens up the crush bar”.

Their menu isn’t terribly exciting but the food is very good and the views of the course get especially nice after a good rain turns things green.

The Ranch: Cindy on the patio

Cindy had a berry smoothie which she said was okay.  I had a Blue Moon beer with a slice of orange.  “Good times”…

THE END!