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# Orange County vacation picks: Harbor Grill, Laguna Cliffs spa and Capo Beach
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/092207-story-20070922-7/
- Published: 2007-09-22T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T02:55:53.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

ty standard price and quality, but if you want to step up to some finer seafood dining, try the Harbor Grill.

We dined at the Jolly Roger on a Saturday night and ended up hanging out with some locals we met on their boat that was slipped next to the restaurant, which was a nice surprise.

It’s a great way to spend an afternoon, and if the kids get bored you can let them run around in the park next to the facility.

THE RUBDOWN When I’m on vacation, I like to relax. Since I was traveling with my wife and two kids, personal relaxing time is at a premium. With this in mind, we booked some time at the Spa at Laguna Cliffs for a couple of massages, and it was quite a treat.

The theme to the spa is orange blossoms (get it? Orange County), and this brand new facility was spacious by any standards. I have never taken a shower with 13 jet shower heads, until then. It’s like a jacuzzi-tub on steroids, standing up. I highly recommend it.

LIFE’S A BEACH Capistrano Beach, known locally as “Capo Beach” is a vast, sandy stretch with moderate wave action. Perfect for wading, swimming and longboards. There are nine volleyball courts, shower and bathroom facilities and plenty of parking.

On the north side of the beach, the jetty has held up lots of sand, so the small waves seem to roll on forever, perfect for kids on boogie boards.

THE LOWDOWN While we were relaxing at the pool, we met three other families that were vacationing from the Westside. All had young children, and all were just escaping the day to day chaos of life in the city.

Getting to the marina and the beach was an easy walk and we could have avoided driving our car the entire weekend and stayed busy.

If you think any vacation includes the requisite trip to LAX... a weekend in Dana Point might change your mind.

LOCAL STUFF Despite all of the tourist trappings in the Marina, there is a vibrant and interesting selection of shopping when you head into town. The main street through town is Golden Lantern, and you can immediately recognize the types of shops where the locals go. Local restaurants, coffee shops and small, independent retailers outnumber the box stores 10 to 1.

FARMERS’ MARKET A farmers’ market is held every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1p.m. at La Plaza Park at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Violet Lantern. Every second Saturday, they add in a craft fair, where local artisans show their stuff.

We were impressed by the selection of local art, soaps and crafts that were interesting and affordable by L.A. standards. Best of all, we were able to park right next to the market, something that seemed like a luxury when comparing the jockeying we do to get to our local farmers’ markets.

THE OCEAN INSTITUTE The Ocean Institute is a world class ocean learning center, situated on the north side of the Harbor. Kids and adults can learn ocean history, science and literature, and experience octopus and jellyfish feedings. Their historic brig, The Pilgrim, is docked outside and is open to educational tours and programs.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 22, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092207.pdf?ref=smdp.com)