What's up Laguna, big week! SHACC opens its doors at 239 Broadway on Friday, and the world's biggest surf collection now lives two blocks from Main Beach. Pro volleyball takes over the sand the same weekend.
Below you'll find this week's events, ways to give back, spots coming soon, the conditions, some local news, and a bit of Laguna lore.
★ = family friendly
Wednesday 9/16
Nix Nature Center, Laguna Coast Wilderness Wed, 8 to 10:30am
A free guided hike with Canyon Foundation naturalists, good for first timers in the wilderness park. RSVP at
lagunacanyon.org.
A live songwriter night at the brewery: local musicians take turns playing their own songs. Free; the series just moved to Wednesdays.
Thursday 9/17
Ridge Park, Laguna Coast Wilderness Thu, 8:30 to 11:30am
A fast 6.6 mile training hike with Canyon Foundation guides, 1,200 feet of climbing. Free, RSVP at
lagunacanyon.org.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Thu, 9:30 to 10:30am
A nature hour for kids 3 to 6 with an adult, this week on frogs and lizards. Free, RSVP at
lagunacanyon.org.
A clothing line launch at the surf shop: their first collection, made with Hawaiian waterman Maddix Alotis. Free, in store.
Friday 9/18
The opening of Laguna's new surf museum, the biggest surf archive anywhere. Ribbon cutting Friday 2pm, then doors open to everyone until 7. (Corrected: we first listed early entry times that were for gala ticket holders.) Saturday brings a free open house 10 to 12:30, open until 7, all ages encouraged. Sunday's fundraising gala (5 to 10, Donavon Frankenreiter live) is the only part needing a ticket, at
shacc.org.
The 71st annual pro beach volleyball tournament on Main Beach: qualifiers Friday, finals Sunday. Free to watch, bring a chair. Schedule at
lagunaopen.org.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Fri, 9 to 10:30am
A sparkling wine party on the patio: German pet nat pours with a live band. Walk in.
Saturday 9/19
Anneliese Schools Willowbrook campus Sat, 4 to 7pm
The school's annual garden party fundraiser, farm to table. $150 adults, $50 kids, tickets at
annelieseschools.com.
A meet the artists afternoon at the inn: the painters behind its art, sip and browse. Free with a reservation via
@woodscoveinn.
A volleyball night at the theater: a talk with Hall of Famer Dusty Dvorak from the gold medal 1984 US team, then live music. Free, register at
events.rivian.com.
Sunday 9/20
The final day of service at the Cortellessa family's South Laguna restaurant after 25 plus years; the lease ended. Last chance to go.
A free kids craft table at the boutique: beads and bracelets with jewelry maker May Martin. All ages, drop in.
Tuesday 9/22
Downtown, meet spot on their Instagram Tue 6:30pm + Sun 9am
A free group run with 3.5 to 5 mile route options, all paces welcome. Just show up.
Surf
Small, clean, and warm: waist high south swell at 10 to 13 seconds all week, water around 73. South end beaches are still thin on sand from Marie, so watch your entry.
WED 9/16 2-3ft 12s | THU 9/17 2-3ft 13s | FRI 9/18 2-3ft 12s | SAT 9/19 2-3ft 10s | SUN 9/20 2ft 10s | MON 9/21 2ft 10s | TUE 9/22 2ft 11s |
Weather
A gray start then a warm finish: low 70s and clouds Wednesday, low 80s Thursday through Saturday, 77 to 81 into next week. Nights near 68.
WED 9/16  73° 68° | THU 9/17  80° 66° | FRI 9/18 82° 68° | SAT 9/19 83° 68° | SUN 9/20 81° 70° | MON 9/21 77° 68° | TUE 9/22 81° 68° |
Crowds
| Local Summer holds on weekdays. The surf museum opening plus pro volleyball will pack downtown and Main Beach Friday through Sunday; park south and walk in. | Tourist-O-Meter  |
In Season
Apples and grapes are at Saturday's market, the first pomegranates are showing, and figs are wrapping up.
Local Wildlife
El Nino watch: with a super El Nino forecast, scientists expect tropical visitors in our warm water this winter. The hammerhead two weeks ago was the first hint, and in past El Ninos the yellow bellied sea snake (venomous, very rare, five OC wash ups since 1972) has turned up on the sand. See a yellow and black snake on the beach? Keep your distance and tell a lifeguard. Sunset season rolls on.
• The city declared a local emergency over the sand loss Six oceanfront homes are yellow-tagged, the Aliso Beach lot partly failed, and several south end beaches and paths are closed. With NOAA calling a strong El Nino winter more than 90 percent likely, the city gave itself fast track repair powers before more waves hit.
• Correction: Chelas is open We said Chelas left Laguna. That was wrong and it was our mistake. They are open in Laguna, same as ever, and not going anywhere. Go get the fish tacos.
• The school board race has picked sides Both school employee unions and the parents PAC endorsed the same three challengers, while two incumbents are campaigning together. Election day is Nov 3.
• LBPD ran a weekend traffic blitz 105 stops in one Saturday: a 95 mph speeder near El Morro, 18 loud exhaust citations, and one DUI arrest that included a concealed gun.
• The Trestles Pro runs this week The world tour surf contest is on at Lowers. We almost always post about things only in Laguna but this is an exception. Good pro surf watching if the window is calling.
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