Orange County
02/22/2013 - United States, Laguna
Orange County
I have to say I was BEYOND excited for this trip! I’m a massive Real Housewives of Orange County fan and having never been to Orange County….Well, I was super stoked!
We stayed at The Montage Laguna Beach Resort, and it is 5 stars all the way!!!
We were there to attend an IMN conference. (Why can’t all our conferences be at as nice a place as this?!?)
We landed in the Orange County airport and rented a Lincoln Navigator to cruise down to Laguna. When we got to the Montage, we were escorted on a tour of the resort and then to our villa where champagne was waiting.
The suite started with the living room, which had a fireplace, balcony, and 1/2 bath. The bedroom had a separate balcony, closet, and a full bathroom. On the lawn below were 5 bunny rabbits hopping and playing away.
The view from the balconies was of the Pacific Ocean and coastline of Laguna, overall absolutely beautiful!!!.
The resort itself had an Olympic size pool, hot tub, 3 restaurants, and an amazing spa and fitness center! I took a beach boot camp and a spin class, and both were excellent!
What stood out the most though, was the service. Little things like: umbrellas being provided outside the rooms to use to when it’s raining, the staff stepping aside to let you pass first and greeting you with a good morning or good afternoon, the turn down service on the nighttime that included full servicing of the room with extra bottles of champagne.
Overall, it was a slice of paradise, and I would come back here anytime hands down!!!
We had heard the Ritz Carlton Laguna Beach was also quite beautiful so we thought we’d at least take a tour of it.
Walking into this beautiful resort, I was astounded immediately by the architecture of the entryway. The blown glass decorations in red and white and the bouquets of roses in the huge glass vases immediately set the tone that this was going to be a grand hotel.
We were traveling with another couple, and we all decided to indulge and enjoy the atmosphere by getting coffee and desserts. The bill came to $80 dollars for the four of us, but it was so worth it.
The restaurant in Ritz overlooks the beach so we could watch the surfers riding the waves. With the beautifully manicured lawns and Michelle Pfeiffer’s house just to the right, I couldn’t help but feel like a princess vacationing in an exotic land.
I couldn’t get enough of this hotel and can’t wait to go back to stay overnight and experience the rooms!
We ate at quite a few amazing restaurants during our week in the Laguna area. Here are my top three faves!
1. The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar
I got a recommendation to this restaurant from the bar staff at the Montage. I always say, who knows better than the locals? So after an intense conversation on juicing (so California, right?!?!), the bar staff told me about this little gem in San Clemente.
It sits straddling the San Clemente pier overlooking the ocean. On the right side of the pier is the Oyster Bar, and the left side of the pier is the regular restaurant. Just FYI…the bathroom is in the Oyster Bar so you have to cross the pier if you’re eating in the restaurant.
It was a rainy day, but the porch was heated and covered so it was perfect for watching the surfers ride the waves in their wetsuits. The restaurant had delicious fresh fish, a surfer vibe, and plenty of locals to make it that cool California feel that a tourist craves.
Afterwords, we walked the pier and enjoyed seeing dozens of dolphins jumping in the ocean.
Two surfer thumbs up!!!
2. Watermarc
This cute little restaurant sits in the middle of Laguna and is owned by the same people that own the famous 230 Forest Ave restaurant in Laguna. (I have not been, but the food is supposed to be amazing.)
If the food at Watermarc is any indication of the food at 230, then I agree.
We went with another couple for a quaint quiet dinner and the atmosphere was perfect for that.
We had fresh seafood and steaks with typical Laguna prices so it was expensive but not over the top.
It was a great find! Check it out if you’re in town!
3. Javier’s
Hot hot hot nightspot!!! Want to see celebs? Some Bravolebreties?!?
Check out this delicious Mexican restaurant in Crystal Cove!
From the outside/inside bar area (where it is fierce competition to get a table…first come first serve) to the cozy restaurant area with the sounds of tree frogs and such coming from the walls to make you feel like you’re still outside, this restaurant is chic all the way.
The fresh guacamole, the enchiladas, and the fajitas…it was all-superb!
Can’t wait to go back on another trip. Best Mexican I’ve had in a while!