What's up Laguna! Festival season is in full swing. The Pageant of the Masters opens this week, the Festival of Arts and Sawdust are going strong, and downtown's summer music series kicks off on Forest Avenue. Below you'll find this week's events, a couple of spots coming soon, the conditions, some local news, and a bit of Laguna lore.
All week
The handmade art festival across the street, 60 years running. Walk the booths, grab a drink, hear live music. Laguna Beach residents get in free on Thursdays with an ID.
The formal art show you walk through, 120 juried artists, plus live music on the grounds. Laguna Beach residents get in free with an ID.
A free bike pump track set up at the Rec Center. Weekday mornings and Saturdays, bring a bike, helmet, and pads.
Thursday 7/9
The living pictures show, where real people pose inside frames to look like famous paintings. Opening night, runs nightly all summer.
Sunday 7/12
Country and folk music on the Festival of Arts grounds, an easy Sunday evening set.
A family day at the Festival of Arts. Student artists get their awards at 11, then noon to 3 is hands on art, carnival games, face painting, and aerial performers. Bring the kids!
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.
Surf
A small summer south swell, about waist high early in the week and easing to knee high by the weekend. Mellow and fun, cleanest in the morning.
Weather
Warm summer gloom, gray mornings burning off to highs in the mid to upper 70s. Odd for July, a little drizzle rolls in Sunday and actual rain Monday, so keep a layer handy. Water is low to mid 60s.
TUE 7/7  77° 62° | WED 7/8  78° 59° | THU 7/9  75° 63° | FRI 7/10  74° 60° | SAT 7/11  75° 61° | SUN 7/12  80° 62° | MON 7/13  76° 65° |
Crowds
| Peak summer and full festival season. This is about as busy as Laguna gets, so expect full lots and packed beaches. | Tourist-O-Meter  |
In Season
Stone fruit is at its peak, peaches, nectarines, and plums, with heirloom tomatoes, melons, and the first mangoes turning up at the markets.
Local Wildlife
Blue whale and dolphin season is peaking just offshore. Bring binoculars to the Heisler bluffs and you can spot spouts right from the cliffs.