No matter which season, soaking up the sun is best done in Orange County. While we’ve been on semi-lockdown for about a year now, there’s still plenty to do.  Consider the facts: we live in a massive destination for tourism. Between Disneyland, our world-famous waves, virtually perfect weather, and legal cannabis, we have hordes of people visiting every year. In 2018, over 50 million tourists came to visit OC. Would they have done that if it weren’t worth the trip?Definitely not. And despite that, most of us aren’t enjoying the best of what Orange County has to offer. That has to end! Let’s get out there and have a staycation. After all, there will never be a better year for it. Number one: let’s go on a Laguna Beach weed and wine tour.

Why Visit Laguna Beach?

Laguna Beach, with its gorgeous beaches, massive art scene, and fascinating little eateries, is a good place to start. What to do first? With the wealth of good food and fun that Orange County has on offer, it’s difficult to choose, but we’ve got a plan for you:

The Laguna Beach Weed and Wine tour.

One of the most walkable towns in Orange County, Laguna Beach is a great place to get buzzed. Booking a room at one of their elegant hotels is more affordable than ever, so even if you don’t live there, you can establish a home base.

Although the city doesn’t currently offer licenses to cannabis dispensaries, it’s easy to get it delivered. People’s offers free marijuana delivery anywhere in the city, so it’s just a question of placing your order and going downstairs to meet your delivery driver and pay. Once you have your products in hand, you can enjoy them at your pleasure, then take a stroll on the boardwalk. When the high ends, extend the good time by taking your own personal wine tour.

Whether you’re enjoying weed and wine with your wife, boyfriend, or a group of gal pals, it’s important to treat yourself to a good time. The world needs more love these days, and in the words of drag icon RuPaul: “if you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”

Where to Eat and Drink Wine in Laguna Beach

It’s not hard to find great restaurants to enjoy some wine and entrees at. Laguna Beach is already well-known for its gourmet scene. Between top-tier Italian options like Alessa Cucina and accessible vegan food at The Stand, it’s already a go-to place for epicurean feasting. Whether you live in Laguna or not, it’s worth going downtown to try out some of the best restaurants that are open in Laguna Beach:

• Driftwood Kitchen. If this restaurant were any closer to the water, it’d be wet. Pair their hand-shucked oysters with their best sauvignon blanc, and enjoy the view.
• The Deck. Enjoy a glass of Daou cabernet with their artisan cheeseboard, or sip on some white wine with a seafood dish like the cioppino or their Crab Louie salad. You can’t go wrong with any of their wines, but we love the regionally-specific name of their Russian River Valley chardonnay: “Laguna”.
• Rooftop Lounge. This restaurant is exactly as described, and it hands-down has the best ocean view of any Laguna Beach eatery. Try a Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosé, Chardonnay, or a local brew—just make sure you add the sweet potato fries with spicy maple syrup to your order.
• Their expanded outdoor patio offers a live music experience while maintaining safe distances between patrons, so this is a great place to bring a few friends to. Try their wide selection of South African wines, or toast to the occasion with prosecco. This restaurant has a great vibe, so extend your stay with Portuguese Hot Butter Pudding, cheesecake, or other desserts to break up the flow of wine.

Must-Visit Laguna Beach Destinations for the Staycation Tourist

If you’re looking for something beyond the sit-down experience, there are other ways to enjoy your weed and wine in downtown Laguna. Pop a weed gummy and go on an art gallery tour together, visit the iconic Main Street Bar and Cabaret, or compare latte art at Koffee Klatch and Urth Caffe.

If the weather is nice (as per usual) and you’d rather take it outside, try a marijuana pre-roll and take a stroll down the Main Beach boardwalk. Those who love tide-pooling can get their kicks at a few different beaches in the city, and fitness fans can get their sweat on at Thousand Steps.

We can’t forget about the artistically-inclined, however. Laguna Beach is known for its tight-knit artist community, and the best place to experience it is at the Sawdust Festival. Their outdoor marketplace opens up a few times a year, but don’t worry if you missed it—they’ll reopen again for the full show next June. Watching glass-blowers and sculptors do their thing is already mesmerizing, but imagine how much better it will be with a little THC in your system.

Creating Your Own Good Time with Weed and Wine

Since the quarantine began, virtual wine tasting events have shot up in popularity. That’s great, but what if you added a little something—and made it a weed and wine tasting? You can hire a virtual sommelier or host the event yourself. Just make sure that you’re staying somewhere that allows cannabis smoking on the premises, or run your Zoom gathering from a 420-friendly pal’s place.

If you happen to be staying in the Holiday Inn, it’s easy enough to hop over to the Ralph’s across the street—but if you chose to room somewhere else (or if you live in Laguna Beach already), there are plenty of places to buy good wine in Laguna Beach. For your first course, pick up the blended rosé from Avaline to pair with a bowl of Pure Beauty CBD flower—the light, sweet notes and low THC make for a great start. You can get creative after that, pairing your favorite wines with the top-notch flower you know and love from People’s. Ember Valley weed strains and Lambrusco? Why not. Cali Fresh marijuana with Hello Kitty wine? Go wild.

Sharing Your Laguna Beach Weed and Wine Experience

Orange County’s tourism industry has been hit hard—and it may not recover anytime soon. There’s good news, though: You can help encourage responsible local tourism by logging your intrastate travels and encouraging others to try it for themselves.

Take some pictures on your phone and tag People’s and Irvine Weekly on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to share your Orange County staycation, and we’ll give you a like and a signal boost. Enjoy your trip!

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