What's up Laguna! Big week. The 4th of July lands on a Saturday, it's America's 250th, and the summer festivals are all opening at once. Below you'll find the holiday plans, a few new spots, this week's conditions, some local news, and a bit of Laguna lore.
All week
The Sawdust hits its 60th summer. 180 plus local artists, live music on three stages, open every day (until 4pm on the 4th). Use code 60and250 for a couple bucks off. And festival season is officially here, with the Festival of Arts opening July 7 and the Pageant of the Masters July 9.
A temporary bike pump track is set up at the Rec Center. Free to ride, just bring a bike, a helmet, and pads. Open weekday mornings and Saturdays, good for kids and grown ups.
Friday 7/3
Troy Lee's monthly community ride. Meet at 4, roll out at 4:30, then a BBQ back at the shop. Just bring a bike.
Saturday 7/4
The neighborhood's homegrown Fourth of July parade, small and very Laguna. It rolls down Brooks Street around 11am with bikes, wagons, and whoever shows up.
The community concert band plays a free holiday set on the Sawdust grounds, 11:30 to 2. An easy daytime way to do the 4th before the fireworks.
The city's show goes off at 9pm, extra big for America's 250th. A WWII Condor Squadron flyover kicks things off at 5:45pm. Get to Main Beach or the coves early, and note there are no personal fireworks anywhere in town.
Now open
The old Hollywood speakeasy from former Mastro's chef Magellan Moore just opened in the Heisler Building. Piano bar, live music, a modern American menu. Go check it out.
Weekday mornings
You'll sort donated food, bag groceries, and hand them out to those in need. Ages 14 and up (14 to 17 with an adult).
Saturday
You'll pull invasive weeds, plant natives, and clear trails out in the wilderness parks. Gloves and tools provided, just pick an upcoming Saturday.
Sunday
Drop off canned and dry food staples at the 10am Sunday service. They deliver it to local families in need through the Neighborhood Congregational Church. No signup, just bring a bag.
Ongoing
You'll help prep meals, feed rescued seals and sea lions, and clean their pens alongside the animal care team. Apply once, then take regular shifts. Ages 18 and up.
Truly Bagels
The team behind Truly Pizza is working on a bagel shop for South Laguna at 31727 Coast Hwy, the old Ti Amo space. Still in the works, no open date yet.
Surfing Heritage & Culture Center
The surf museum is bringing a Laguna location to 239 Broadway St. Opening date still to come.
Surf
Heads up before you paddle out: with a sewage spill in the water this week, we'd skip surfing in Laguna altogether for a few days. The official closure is the Thalia stretch around Anita St, but with 2,000 gallons spilled it's smart to sit this one out. Check OCBeachinfo.com before you get in anywhere. Swell was small and clean otherwise, knee to waist high.
Weather
Warm June gloom that burns off most afternoons, highs in the mid to upper 70s. The 4th itself is around 78 with a touch of morning drizzle. Water is warming, low to mid 60s.
TUE 6/30  71° 61° | WED 7/1 72° 63° | THU 7/2 73° 61° | FRI 7/3 76° 58° | SAT 7/4  78° 60° | SUN 7/5 76° 63° | MON 7/6 77° 62° |
Crowds
| Peak summer, the 4th of July, and festival season all at once. This is about as busy as Laguna gets. Expect packed beaches, full lots, and a slow crawl out of town on the 4th. | Tourist-O-Meter  |
In Season
Stone fruit is at its peak, peaches, nectarines, plums, and the last of the cherries, with the first sweet corn and summer tomatoes turning up. Early figs too.
Local Wildlife
Blue whale and dolphin season is peaking just offshore. And the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, now marking 55 years, just released two rehabbed elephant seals back into the ocean.
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