Farm-fresh dining, outdoor adventures, and local craftsmanship steal the show at The Ranch at Laguna Beach
Words by LESLEY McKENZIE
Picture the quintessential Orange County escape that blends sustainability with California’s laid-back charm, and you’ve got The Ranch at Laguna Beach. This 97-room resort is nestled in Aliso and Wood Canyons, just a stone’s throw from the Pacific. What began as an 1800s homestead and tribal meeting place has evolved into a sprawling 87-acre getaway beloved by both travelers and locals (and notably welcomed displaced Angelenos during the recent fires). The property excels at celebrating its natural beauty at every turn, from the nine-hole golf course set against the backdrop of canyon walls — the only place to tee off in Laguna Beach — to a half-acre biodynamic farm that supplies fresh produce to onsite restaurants and a 3,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor Sycamore Spa by Hudson, with aptly named treatments such as the Swedish-style Calming Canyon Massage.
Committed to protecting its wildlife and landscapes, The Ranch at Laguna Beach has woven eco-friendly measures throughout its operations, from transforming glass bottles into sand for its golf course bunkers to irrigating with reclaimed water. In 2024, the property’s efforts to reduce its plastic footprint through the likes of reusable toiletry bottles also earned it the distinction of the Surfrider Foundation’s first Ocean Friendly Hotel in California, which is part of a new program aimed at driving behavior change while raising awareness for the concept of plastic-free living.
Local flavors and seasonal ingredients take center stage throughout the ranch’s dining options, including the all-day farm-to-fork Harvest Farm and the toes-in-the-sand Lost Pier Café (fish and chips are a must). Over at The Porch, which is more casual, guests can grab an espresso and a freshly baked pastry or breakfast burrito before hitting the beach or end the day cozied up around a firepit with a cocktail or craft beer in hand, listening to live music while soaking up the views.
There’s no shortage of ways to take advantage of the property’s pristine location, with programming running the gamut from stargazing to dolphin safaris and whale watching. Surfers can embark on The Shaper Experience ($2,500 plus taxes), an opportunity to work with legendary Hobie surfboard shaper Gary Larson to shape your own board. For those looking to indulge their artistic side, The Painter Experience ($2,500 plus taxes) features a half-day plein-air guided painting session on a Laguna Beach bluff with artist John Cosby, during which you’ll create your own take-home masterpiece, the ultimate keepsake for a dreamy California stay. theranchlb.com.
February 24, 2025
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