Greg MacGillivray enjoys surfing at Thalia Street Beach ( pictured below ).
“ STAND-UP PADDLE IS BETTER IN LAGUNA THAN ANYWHERE ELSE BECAUSE OF OUR CLEAN WATER … ” — GREG MACGILLIVRAY
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
To burn off that beer or breakfast burrito , you can opt to spend the morning logging some active hours on land or on the water . “ There is so much to do , and it ’ s all here in Laguna ,” says Sean Hunter Brown , an avid surfer and local photographer . “[ We have ] the most unique beaches , an abundance of ocean activities and the canyon wilderness trails .” For Brown , the perfect outdoorsy itinerary begins with “ an early morning surf session , when the beaches are uncrowded and
12 SUMMER 2017 CITY GUIDE the light is great .” Next , you ’ ll find Brown embarking on a hike . “ The [ Laguna ] Canyon area has so much to see this year thanks to the rain . Flowers , plants and wildlife [ are ] everywhere .” Afterward , Brown settles in for a day spent stand-up paddleboarding ( SUP ), swimming or bodysurfing on the beach — often lingering long enough to watch the sun set behind Catalina Island .
Meanwhile , Greg MacGillivray , who is a longtime Laguna resident , environmentalist and president of MacGillivray Freeman Films , believes the outdoors easily facilitates the ultimate day because Laguna offers unparalleled scenery . “ Lagunatics have a concern for nature , so we ’ ve all fought hard to keep our ocean and our hills natural and healthy ,” he says . Though the outdoorsman enjoys a mountain bike ride through the trails in Laguna Canyon , as well as surfing at Thalia Street Beach , he suggests starting with a SUP session . “ Stand-up paddle is better in Laguna than anywhere else because of our clean water …, [ which is ] due to our city spending millions to capture storm-drain runoff before it reaches the sea ,” he says , adding that Laguna ’ s no-take zone and Marine Protected Area are “ allowing the fish to come back .” Pribram , too , appreciates being surrounded by the area ’ s natural beauty , and spends as much time as possible outside — which he also recommends for anyone seeking the perfect Laguna day . “ The beaches in Laguna … are some of the most unique and beautiful beaches in the world … decorated with secluded coves and reefs , making for crystal-clean water on sunny days — perfect for snorkeling and stand-up paddling ,” he says .
Pribram ’ s ideal day would begin with a SUP outing in the early morning , “ through all of the reef passages [ and ] kelp beds , only to stop momentarily to dive through the blowholes and caves . Nothing beats an amazing morning out on the water paddling ,” he says . Of course , Pribram cites surfing as his “ first love ” and favorite outdoor activity in town . He prefers to head out a little later in the morning , around 9 a . m . “ Hands down , my favorite way to spend the day … is surfing on the beach that I grew up on , [ Pearl Street Beach ]. … There ’ s just something so special about being in the water and standing up on waves and riding them .”
MIDDLE : SEAN ARMENTA