If you’re planning a trip to Laguna Beach try and time it around the first Thursday of the month. Each month Laguna Beach hosts their ‘1st Thursdays Art Walk’ night and locals/tourists get together, the galleries are open late, and you are able to explore all the amazing local/international art exhibits.
Not only are the previously established galleries open, the shops and restaurants are too, many of which hosting ‘pop up’ galleries and offering free wine and snacks. You’ll witness an eclectic mix of local artisans, tourists and street performers.
We visited many galleries but two of my favorites were ‘Townley’ and ‘Ritual Yoga Arts Studio’. Townley is owned and directed by Shane Townley a very talented local artist. His art can be seen in many of the villas at The Retreat so it was wonderful to meet him.
‘Ritual Yoga Arts Studio’, which just recently opened, is this amazing gallery and yoga studio in one. It’s located a bit down the road and not in the hub of downtown but well worth the quick walk. The space was full of people when we arrived. The walls were covered in amazing paintings and the integration between gallery and yoga studio is such a smart idea.
If you are able to take in ‘Art Walk’ in Laguna Beach be sure to leave yourself lot’s of time to explore. There are many galleries throughout Laguna and it’s well worth hitting up as many as possible.
