In the affluent seaside village of Laguna Beach an art festival is held for about nine weeks every summer. Just about every type of handcrafted art imaginable is displayed here from glasswork to photography. Handmade clothing to homemade food draw over 200,000 visitors a year. The perfect summer Mediterranean climate doesn't hurt either!

What is commonplace and ordinary in the UK is quite exotic in the small oceanside community of Laguna Beach. The "Famous Red Phone Booth" once was in service but is now used solely to exhibit temporary public art. Every two years the city changes out the exhibit with the phone booth as its medium. The current exhibit, soon to be changed, is of a bunch of bikini-clad mannequins stuffed inside the booth like a pack of sardines.

This point in the idyllic seaside town of Laguna Beach is about 1,000 feet above sea level. It allows you to see most of Orange County especially on a clear day. There are hiking trails for novices and experts or you can sign up with a guide who specializes in hiking tours. Dogs are allowed on some of the paths but not all.

Fit for Rapunzel, this tower juts up from a rocky shoreline in Laguna Beach. It is part of the house which is directly above and serves as a path down to the beach. Since California beaches are all public property, you can walk up to the concrete structure. Unfortunately, it is privately owned, so entry is forbidden.

This arch makes a natural picture frame for the beach. Surrounding the tunnel are tide pools, cliffs, sand, and the Pacific Ocean. The water is known for being safer and cleaner than surrounding areas too. Treasure Island Beach is located just off Hwy 1.

This small and secluded beach is not great for sunbathing or swimming but it is the perfect spot to gaze upon the water or watch a spectacular sunset without a throng of beachgoers. The attractions are all natural, from the giant slab rock that splits the beach in two, to the monolithic geological formation known as Sphinx Rock. Avoid weekends if you prefer a more solitary experience.

Taking the same steps as you would take to the secret pool reveals a mysterious cave on the south end of the staircase. Make sure you go at low tide for complete safety and so that you can walk all the way through to a cove on the other side. On the north side of the staircase a rocky tunnel leads you to a gorgeous beach. Either way, you can't go wrong. To get to Thousand Steps Beach head to 9th Avenue and Coast Highway and park in a legal spot.

To get to this swing you can either park at Chaparoosa Park or Pooch Park (for free!) and then walk a little over a mile to your destination. Be prepared to traverse some inclines before arriving at the swing. Once there you'll have a bird's eye view of San Juan Capistrano.

Anyone with two or four legs is welcome to hike on this tourist-free trail but it is a long one! The most direct route is from the parking area off of Alicia Pkwy. Take Aliso Trail to Wood Canyon Trail and then continue to Dripping Cave Trail. At the end of the hike you'll see the cave that outlaw Juan Flores and his gang used as a hideout in the 1850s.

The exquisite ruins were once the home of the Franciscan monks who worshipped here in 1775 when the mission was established. With weathered stone surrounded by a colorful array of flowers, birds, and butterflies this haven is a fantasy retreat from modern life. If you want a real adventure, take the coastal train which will bring you directly to the mission.