Here are three cool (and easy-to-miss) places that conspired to make my drive up PCH pretty much perfect this past weekend — try them out yourself and let me know what you think:
1. Nick’s Laguna Beach
It’s a tiny little hip spot with groovy tunes, incredible food, excellent drinks, and a line out the door. If you don’t happen to have a reservation, skip the line and sit at the bar like I did. From there you can gaze through the open air patio right out on to S. Coast Hwy where the scene refreshes every sixty seconds with eclectic passersby. Nick’s is on Facebook and Twitter.
2. La Rue du Chocolat, Laguna Beach
Hiding demurely along an alleyway called Pepper Tree Lane, just off S. Coast Hwy near Laguna Ave is a killer chocolate shop called La Rue du Chocolat. Walk in and let the dark chocolate-covered English toffee and hockey puck-sized Reese’s cups blow your mind. The college babe behind the counter had her iPhone docked on speakers: old school Isley Brothers. Yep. Even the music’s chocolate. Couldn’t resist quizzing her to find out if she really knew the song and artist. (She did.) La Rue du Chocolat is on Facebook.
3. Charlie’s Chilli, Newport Beach
Sitting at this table places you on the edge of the Pacific, right next to Newport Beach Lifeguard Headquarters — and at the base of a stunning thousand-foot pier. The appeal of Charlie’s for me is part atmosphere, and part pancakes. Yes, pancakes at a Chilli place. Don’t know how they make them but this place gets a visit whenever I’m within 25 miles of Newport Beach. Charlie’s Chilli is on Facebook (and is way busier than this Facebook photo looks).
Cool stops aside, my real reason for driving up Pacific Coast Highway 1 is so I can park, get out, and do this:
Got any favorite spots you like to hit along PCH? Hit me on Twitter with your picks.