I moved here to build a life of deep connection, and while I miss my friends back home, having Agnes here reminded me how healing community truly is. Please come visit me in Laguna Beach. My heart and my studio doors are always wide open for you.I moved here to build a life of deep connection, and while I miss my friends back home, having Agnes here reminded me how healing community truly is. Please come visit me in Laguna Beach. My heart and my studio doors are always wide open for you.We all know the classic Laguna Beach weekend plan. Pack the heavy cooler. Search endlessly for parking near Main Beach. Battle the crowds for sand. Soak up the warm California sun.
It is beautiful, absolutely. But a hectic week often requires a deeper kind of reset. Sometimes, your soul needs something more than just a regular beach day. You need an experience that recharges you from the inside out. You need a weekend that leaves you feeling lighter. No one wants to leave feeling sandy and stuck in traffic.
If your heart craves a mindful weekend, look just beyond the shoreline. Laguna Beach is world-famous for its dramatic cliffs and pristine waters. However, its true magic lies in its ability to heal the spirit. This curated guide will reset your mind. It will awaken your creativity. It will nurture your soul in Laguna Beach this weekend.
My Personal Journey: Why Laguna Beach Heals
Before we dive into the itinerary, I want to share a piece of my heart. Living in Laguna Beach was my ultimate dream for over twenty years. For two decades, I envisioned the salty air. I dreamed of the artist colony vibes. I imagined the rugged cliffs.
Finally, my time came.
I made the move, and I chose to celebrate my life. I claimed this beautiful sanctuary as my home.
But my move was not just a simple relocation. It was a profound spiritual pilgrimage. I came here to heal. I brought a heavy heart filled with deep grief and personal loss. We all carry invisible burdens. We all go through seasons of sorrow. Words simply cannot fix these feelings.
I discovered that Laguna Beach is a natural canvas for healing. The rhythmic sound of the ocean waves acts as a natural lullaby for a restless mind. The vibrant sunsets remind us of something important. They show us that endings can be breathtakingly beautiful. The supportive local arts community teaches us that pain can be transformed into purpose.
Every single day, I walk these streets with immense gratitude. This town helped me process my grief. It allowed me to transform my loss into a beautiful new chapter. That is exactly why I opened my local art studio. I wanted to create a safe space. I wanted others to experience that same profound emotional release.
Now, I want to share my personal favorite weekend routine with you. This is the exact path I take to find peace. This is the route that inspired my own healing journey.
1. A Magical Walk: The Path of Blooming Cacti
Your mindful morning begins with my absolute favorite walk in the entire world. Head down the pedestrian paths toward Heisler Park. The journey itself is pure magic.
Right now, the local path is undergoing a spectacular transformation. Walk along the cliffs during this season to witness something special. You will see magnificent desert flora meet the Pacific Ocean. The giant coastal cactuses are coming into full bloom.
It is a breathtaking sight. Towering green cacti stand proud against the deep blue backdrop of the sea. Large, vibrant flowers burst forth from the prickly pads. You will see brilliant bursts of neon pink. You will see bright yellow and deep orange blossoms. They thrive in the salty air and bright sun.
To me, these blooming cactuses are a beautiful metaphor for life. They show us that beautiful things can still grow in dry, harsh, and prickly conditions. They remind us that we can bloom after a long winter of grief.
Stroll slowly along the clifftop paths. Take your time. Look closely at the contrast between the sharp needles and the delicate, velvety petals. Let the visual beauty wash over you. The crashing waves below provide a steady, rhythmic soundtrack. This walk is an instant nervous-system reset. Find a quiet bench along the overlook. Keep your phone tucked away in your pocket. Just sit and breathe in the salty air for ten minutes. Let nature heal your heart.
2. The Sawdust Art Festival
The 60th Annual Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach runs from June 26 through September 6, 2026.
There is an even bigger reason to visit our beautiful town right now. Summer festival season is officially arriving. Laguna Beach transforms into a massive, living art gallery. We cannot forget the iconic events that anchor our historic arts colony.
The legendary Sawdust Art Festival is coming up fast. This local favorite features incredible handcrafted art from hundreds of local Laguna Beach artists. Walking through the sawdust-covered paths under the cool eucalyptus trees is pure inspiration. It is the perfect place to see raw local creativity up close.
3. The Laguna Art-A-Fair
The Laguna Art-A-Fair runs on the same summer schedule as the Sawdust Festival, from June 26 through September 6, 2026.
Even more exciting news is just around the corner. The incredible Laguna Art-A-Fair officially opens on June 24th. This is another magnificent fine art festival you cannot miss.
This year is deeply personal for me. My dear friend Ilze is participating in Art-A-Fair this season. I am so incredibly happy and proud of her. She is traveling all the way from Maui to participate. Exhibiting her art is something she truly loves. Ilze is an absolutely amazing artist. I am so excited to see her brilliant new works on display.
These festivals provide the perfect excuse to plan your weekend getaway. You can spend your day soaking in the local art culture. Let the creativity of our community spark something beautiful inside of you.
4. Fuel Your Creativity: Play Coffee
After exploring the festivals, head toward Broadway Street on your way to our studio. Welcome to Play Coffee, our absolute favorite coffee spot in Laguna Beach.
The team here is incredible. Every staff member is warm, friendly, and genuinely kind, immediately making you feel right at home.
The baristas are true artists. When you go, you must try our signature order:
The Order: A comforting green matcha with oat milk.
The Benefits: It is healthy, perfectly creamy, and has less caffeine than coffee—giving you a calm, steady focus for your creative zone.
Take your vibrant drink out to their beautiful patio, enjoy the cool coastal breeze, and soak in the local energy. You are now fueled, inspired, and completely ready for the highlight of your weekend.
5. Experience an Emotional Reset: An Art4Healing Workshop
Your spirit is now aligned, and your creativity is sparked. Step inside our local Laguna Beach studio—located right down the road from Play Coffee—for our signature Art4Healing workshop.
Laguna’s natural beauty soothes the eyes, but true rejuvenation happens when you process your inner world. This unique, therapeutic experience is specifically designed to help you trade stress and grief for creative expression.
I spent nine months completing my intensive Art4Healing certification, and I am deeply passionate about this method. Every single week, I see a profound change in my students. You can physically see the heavy weight lift off their shoulders. They leave the room with a deep feeling of lightness.
No Experience Needed: You do not need an ounce of artistic talent. This is not a traditional art class. We are not painting a realistic landscape—we are painting your emotions. There are no rules, no judgments, and no mistakes.
The Tools: Instead of rigid techniques, we use highly expressive, tactile tools like soft makeup wedges and blending sponges dipped into vibrant acrylic paints.
The Process: Our gentle, abstract method guides you to layer and stamp colors onto a blank canvas. Our curated prompts help you release hidden feelings that words cannot reach.
Anger might look like bold, fiery red streaks. Peace might look like soft, blended layers of ocean blue and lavender. Grief might look like heavy textures that gradually give way to bright, hopeful yellow highlights.
For two hours, the outside world melts away in this deeply meditative, alcohol-free environment. Be completely present and let your hands speak for your heart.
You will leave our studio with:
A lighter heart
A clearer mind
A deep sense of peace and pride
6. Wind Down and Reflect on the Patio
Your healing journey does not stop when the paint dries. Finish your painting session. Then, wrap up your perfect afternoon by heading back over to the patio at Play Coffee.
Most traditional beach cafes close up shop in the early afternoon. Thankfully, Play Coffee understands the rhythm of our creative community. They stay open until 8 PM. This makes it the absolute perfect spot for a post-art reflection session.
Find a comfortable, shaded spot on the outdoor patio. Prop your beautiful new canvas up on the table next to your drink. Take a long look at the colors you chose. Notice how the textures blend.
Sip another refreshing oat milk matcha. Let yourself digest the emotional work you just accomplished. Chat with a friend, write in a journal, or simply sit in joyful silence. Watch the legendary Laguna golden hour roll in as the late afternoon turns into evening. The warm, amber light washes over the streets. It casts a beautiful glow on your new artwork.
7. Sharing the Magic: Dinner with Agnes at Hapi Sushi
Living in a dream town is wonderful. However, sharing it with the people you love is the absolute best part. Yesterday, my wonderful friend Agnes came down to visit me. It was such an absolute treat to have her here. Having dear friends visit makes this place truly feel like home.
To celebrate her visit, Agnes and I went out for a fantastic dinner at Hapi Sushi. It is located right in the heart of downtown Laguna Beach. The energy there is always fun and lively. The sushi is incredibly fresh, creative, and delicious.
Sitting across from Agnes and sharing a great meal reminded me of why I moved here.
I moved here to build a life of deep connection, and while I miss my friends back home, having Agnes here reminded me how healing community truly is. Please visit me in Laguna Beach. My heart and my studio doors are always wide open for you.
8. Treat Yourself to Artful Flavors at Gelato Paradiso
To end our perfect evening on the sweetest note possible, Agnes and I headed straight over to Gelato Paradiso for dessert. It is tucked away in a charming, string-lit alleyway right off Peppertree Lane. This is hands-down the absolute best gelato in all of Laguna Beach. They recently opened up a gorgeous new location in Newport Beach as well.
The queue moves incredibly fast. Their staff is fantastic—they usually have four friendly servers working at once to get you through in no time.
Yesterday, I got my absolute favorite flavor combo: crisp lemon, rich forest fruit, bold espresso, and tropical guava. Mixing them is a dream, almost like creating a custom work of art. You get to blend vibrant colors and decadent flavors into one cup.
It’s the perfect light, delicious finale to a great day with my friend.
Mindfulness and My Creative Fire
This mindful path is woven into everything I do. I don’t just teach this work—I live it. Today, I am stepping back up to my own blank canvas to start a new painting series.
I haven’t painted in two weeks; my soul craves creation. I always feel a roaring need to get back into the studio and move the paint.
Even a five-minute sketch keeps my creative spirit alive—and it will do the same for yours.
To stay grounded, I write morning pages daily. I learned this ritual from Kelly Morgan’s The Artist’s Way classes. Writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness clears mental clutter, reduces stress, and connects me to my authentic self.
Crafting this post reminded me that I have some letting go to do, too.
We’re all growing, and I am taking my own advice today. I’m heading out to journal, walk, and clear my head. Thanks for being on this journey with me.
Ready to Experience Laguna’s Creative Healing?
Don’t just visit our famous arts district from the outside this weekend. Step inside, pull up a chair, and become a living part of it.
Our intimate studio sessions are intentionally kept small. We strictly limit our class sizes. This ensures a peaceful, quiet, and deeply restorative environment for every single guest.
Because of this intimacy, our weekend workshops fill fast.
You might be celebrating a joyful milestone. You might be processing a season of loss. Perhaps you simply need an escape from daily stress. Whatever you need, your canvas is waiting for you. Come heal with us by the sea.
I am feeling a deep sadness today, and I want to write down my words exactly as I speak them—because I’m feeling quite emotional. The tears are just coming down my face, and I don’t even know sometimes if the tears are bad. I think I crave someone to hold me right now. But instead, I’m just going to hold myself
Through this pain, I am learning to love myself more. I am also learning to say no to the people around me that are unable to keep their word. I guess that’s a disappointment, but I am realizing that not everybody has the capacity to be available and to be there for me. So, I am aware of that now.
👉 [Click here to view our current class calendar and secure your canvas for this weekend!]
