While in Laguna Beach, be sure to visit the oceanfront gallery of Wyland, an artist well-known for his paintings of marine life. Nicknamed the "Marine Michelangelo," the first thing you'll be amazed by is the variety of mediums used in his art. Murals are seen on the exterior walls while bronze sculptures loom over the front entrance. The inside overflows with even more: Lucite sculptures, acrylic sculptures, oil paintings, abstract art, brush art, photographs, bronze tables, portholes and mirrors.
The picturesque Orange coast is home to a wide variety of marine animals. Established in 1971 with the aim of rehabilitating such marine mammals along the coast of Orange County, Pacific Marine Mammal Center is an excellent rescue facility. Volunteers work hard to nurse the creatures back to health until they are strong enough to go back to their natural environment. Visitors to the facility can get an overview of the site as well as meet the mammals.
The GEM Theater is an art space for the community. It is host to cabaret dances, theatrical shows, musical events and a lot of cultural activities. With spacious ambiance and well arranged seating, it is one of the comfortable venues to enjoy your evening shows. Additionally, it also rents out its space for private parties and events.
Featuring a scenic sun-dappled expanse, Huntington State Beach is one of the best beaches in southern California. It is popular with both locals and tourists alike. Replete with barbecue pits used year-round but especially in the summer and fire rings for bonfires, this is an ideal destination for a fun day out amid picturesque environs. Avid surfers will relish the opportunities for surfing offered by the beach. Fishing, birdwatching, and swimming are some other recreational options here. Keep your eyes peeled for California Brown Pelicans.
The Orange County Center For Contemporary Art (OCCCA) is run entirely by artists and showcases art by both emerging and established artists. The emphasis is on local artists. It also features lectures on various subjects, performance art and musical concerts, and participates in public outreach programs that are committed to cultural diversity. The main purpose is the pursuit of freedom of expression in the arts and to provide a forum to explore and develop ideas in contemporary art.
Crystal Cove State Park spans 3.2 miles (5.15 kilometers) of beach and over 2000 acres (809.37 hectares) of wilderness. Visitors to the park can relax on the beach, hike or go horseback riding on the many trails that criss-cross the verdant landscape. Explore tide pools and hidden coves as well as canyon flora and fauna. Finally, the crystal clear waters have been designated as an underwater park and are great for scuba diving, skin diving, and underwater photography, thus covering all aspects of outdoor exploration.