Camping, Main Beach - Late 1920's

2,000 years ago, long before Laguna Beach became one of the most desirable resorts on California’s coast, an Indian tribe named the Ute-Aztecas (and later the Shoshones) roamed the land. Lured by the temperate weather and the rich coastal strip, the tribe inhabited the canyon formations directly east of Main Beach. They named the area Lagonas, their word for lakes, after two fresh water lagoons that decorated the canyon.

Over the years, archeologists combed the hills and valleys of Laguna Beach, finding a variety of artifacts and remains. One excavation yielded an ancient skull known as the famous Laguna Woman, which dates life in Laguna as far back as 17,000 years. In the late 1800’s, the Spaniards arrived and called the area Cañada de las Lagunas (Canyon of the Lakes). And in 1904, the name of the area was officially changed from Lagonas to Laguna Beach.
Through an oversight, Laguna was not included when much of California was divided into sections granted to favored people by the rulers of Spain and México. When the United States took possession of the territory, it was opened to homesteaders who took the land provided by the Timber Cultures Act of 1871. The government gave 160 acres to anyone agreeing to plant ten acres of trees on their land. Homesteaders flocked to Laguna to stake out their 160 acre claims and plant the required ten acres of trees ... in Laguna’s case, always the Australian eucalyptus.

The first settlers plowed and farmed the land to provide for their families. They came to Laguna with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit, that sent some as far as Los Angeles (a five day trip at the time) to sell their fruits and vegetables. Laguna has always been a resort area ... a place for rest and relaxation. In the early days, people came from miles around to enjoy its beauty and tranquility, pitching tents on the beaches, exploring the intimate coves and the rolling hills. By the late 1800’s, the word had gotten out and more and more people flocked to the seaside settlement to plant themselves permanently.

Coast Highway and Main Beach ... 1927

In 1903 the first famous artist arrived. Norman St. Claire came from San Francisco by train and stage to paint the surf, the hillsides and the lagoons surrounding this seaside village. His artist friends were so impressed with his paintings and reports of a balmy year-round climate that they followed him to Laguna Beach. By 1917, some 30 to 40 artists were established residents. Many of this seminal group were known as plein air artists who painted in the style of Monet’s French impressionists and remain at the top of the Who’s Who in California Art list. In early 1918, artist Edgar Payne opened an art gallery, formed the Laguna Beach Art Association and by July of that year hosted the inaugural exhibit. By the late 1920’s approximately 300 people had made Laguna Beach their permanent home. Nearly half of those residents were artists.

Downtown Village Area and Coast Hwy...Circa 1918

The Art Association had grown as had the number of visitors to Laguna Beach. In 1932, the Festival of the Arts opened with a stage and booths at a location near the Hotel Laguna. People posed against painted backdrops to recreate great works of art. Ten years later the Irvine Bowl was dedicated on land in Laguna Beach donated by James Irvine. The Festival grew to become the world renowned Pageant of the Masters. Visitors began to come from all over the country to enjoy art exhibits that were at the time only found in the greatest cities of the world. The early artists created an image for Laguna Beach as an art colony that would bring international acclaim to the community.

F ollowing the artists came the Hollywood film makers ... pioneers like Mack Sennett and D.W. Griffith ... who found Laguna to be every bit as appealing moving across the silver screen as it was painted upon the canvas. Many popular movies featuring scenes of Englands’ rocky cliffs, the French Riviera, Polynesian beaches, coasts of Italy and Greece, were actually filmed on Laguna’s coastline. Many of Hollywood’s famous stars maintained homes in Laguna Beach including Bette Davis, Mary Pickford, Barbara Britton, Polly Moran, Mary Miles Minter, Judy Garland, Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Mickey Rooney and Victor Mature.

Over the decades the stars continued to flock to Laguna Beach, as did dignitaries like United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and writers like John Steinbeck, who wrote Tortilla Flats while living at 504 Park Avenue. They traveled to Laguna for inspiration and relaxation, frequenting landmarks like the White House and the Cabrillo Ballroom and listening to Fred McMurray on the saxophone before he became an actor. This universal attraction to Laguna’s alluring atmosphere is immortalized on a famous gate built 65 years ago, that still stands on the corner of Forest and Park Avenues, which reads: This gate hangs well and hinders none, refresh and rest, then travel on.

Throughout the years, the village character of Laguna Beach has been preserved. The shaggy eucalyptus trees planted by the homesteaders remain and the surrounding mountains, ocean and green belts have kept Laguna Beach from being absorbed into an urban sprawl.