Check out this guide to perfect presents for everyone on your list, all from local stores.
By Laguna Beach Magazine Staff
Every year, it’s a mad dash to get holiday shopping done in time—not to mention finding the perfect gifts for friends and family. But this season, there’s no need to stress. We’ve compiled a gift guide with recommendations that will put a smile on everyone’s face. So whether you’re picking up a present made by a local artist at Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy (weekends through Dec. 18) or a meaningful memento from a Laguna Beach store, you can feel good about getting great gifts and helping the local economy by supporting shops and brands that are based in town. Read on for holiday shopping tips that are sure to spread some joy this season.
Art Lover
While Laguna is filled with galleries to visit and paintings to buy, opt for a unique gift for your favorite art lover this season. More than 30 artists present wearable artwork at this downtown boutique, with pieces like the silk BOHO BURNOUT PONCHO—FILIGREE featuring stunning, hand-dyed color by Martin Venzal and versatile design, $65, at Duet Laguna Beach. (949-376-7999; duetlaguna.com)
Beauty Junkie
Both vegan and gluten free, Lily Lolo’s CHEEK DUO is the perfect way to add a pop of color to your complexion no matter where you are. This compact, which features a mirror for easy application, comes with both a matte and a shimmer shade so you can choose a subtle blush or a vibrant glow, $26.50, at Roots the Beauty Underground. (949-424-4266; rootsbeauty.com)
Wine Connoisseur
Whether it’s a holiday present, a host gift or a bottle to serve at dinner, you can’t go wrong with a signature label from Bianchi—and with a tasting room in north Laguna, it’s easy to support these local winemakers. Try the 2021 ROSE MAGNUM, $75, with a dry finish and notes of strawberry and grapefruit, or the 2018 SIGNATURE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, $37, for a rich, dark vino that’s perfect for winter. (949-646-9100; bianchiwine.com)
Book Lover
A tribute to one of Laguna’s beloved traditions, “ART PEOPLE” highlights Pageant of the Masters volunteers in full makeup as captured by photographer Matthew Rolston. The book features stunning imagery and anecdotes from screenwriter/playwright Dan Duling, award-winning journalist Christina Binkley and British scholar Nigel Spivey, $75, on the Festival of Arts website. (949-497-6582; foapom.com)
Jewelry Lover
Newly released in December, the DIAMOND MELBOURNE STATEMENT ROW NECKLACE by Laguna Beach-based gorjana is part of the brand’s fine jewelry collection and features a stunning line of 35 diamonds set in 14-karat solid gold to add shimmer and shine this holiday season, $4,500, at gorjana. (949-715-8166; gorjana.com)
Philanthropist
Help support the Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s mission of rescuing and rehabilitating pinnipeds with every purchase from the nonprofit’s gift shop, including this Sand Cloud BEACH TOWEL, which is made of a tight-woven cotton, dries quickly and is sand resistant. The 35- by 68-inch towel comes in three designs: a sea lion, humpback whale or hammerhead shark, $44, at Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s gift shop. (949-494-3050; pacificmmc.org)
Outdoor Adventurer
For those who make camping a way of life or hit the trail and don’t come back until after dark, BioLite’s HEADLAMP 200, which is ultalightweight and rechargeable using a micro-USB, will help light the way and keep hands free with a maximum output of 200 lumens in a variety of lighting modes like red, white and strobe. The front panel can be easily tilted downward using one hand and a charge lasts for 40 hours with the light on low or three hours on high, $44.95, at Hobie Surf Shop. (949-497-3304; hobiesurfshop.com)
Photographer
Rather than adding another camera or lens to their collection, surprise the photographer in your life with a memorable item: a GICLEE PRINT of a piece they created (though Supercolor Imaging also offers aluminum prints and posters). Photographers dedicate a lot of time and effort to get the perfect shot, so this is a great way to honor their work, from $45.95, at Supercolor Imaging. (949-497-6112; supercolor1.com)
Fashionista
Offering an ethereal silhouette whether worn as a midi skirt or a strapless dress, THE CONVERTIBLE SKIRT—part of Free People’s Endless Summer collection—is a flowing viscose piece available in a variety of colors, $88, at Free People. (949-519-3056; freepeople.com)
Proud Lagunan
For longtime residents, this LAGUNA BEACH TROLLEY GLASS CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT is the ideal gift to highlight our beloved seaside town, and a portion of each purchase is donated to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. The decoration is sold by Iconic Ornaments, run by local teenage brothers Jackson and Sawyer Collins. The trolley and a lifeguard tower, $29.95 each, are available on the company’s website and at local shops like Laguna Beach Books. (949-554-5751; iconicornaments.com)
Beer Aficionado
From blonde ales to imperial stouts, there’s something for everyone at Laguna Beach Beer Co. Pick up a 32-OUNCE CROWLER—like a growler, but in can form—at this local brewery, from $13, depending on the beer type. (949-715-0805; lagunabeer.com)
Serenity Seeker
A unique candle to help set a tranquil mood, LIFE IN THE OCEAN is made by Xu Wen, one of the few remaining artisans still preserving this craft of lanternlike candles that originated in the 1960s and feature distinctive, colorful patterns infused in the wax. Handmade in town, several sizes of the spherical candle are available, from $39.99, at Alan’s Candle. (949-549-4111; alanscandle.com)
Dog
Whether exercising at the local dog park, venturing north to Huntington Dog Beach or playing in your backyard, the FLYING SQUIRREL toy by Chuckit! is sure to be a hit with any pet who likes to play fetch. The soft, flexible disc soars through the air for hours of excitement, glows in the dark and floats in the water, $15, at Naked Dog Bistro. (949-715-9900; nakeddogbistro.com)
Sports Star
Anyone interested in action sports knows that hitting the water is the way to go in Orange County, and beaches like Brooks Street and Rockpile offer chances to catch waves in town. Gift your favorite athlete the limited edition LOG x KOSTON GONZ PRO surfboard, designed right here in California with artwork by Mark Gonzales (known as “Gonz”) and a shape that makes it easy for anyone to maneuver local waters, from $399.99, with advance order at Catch Surf. (949-715-7828; catchsurf.com)
Baby
Available in a variety of bright patterns, these BABY BIBS made from African wax print fabric are perfect for keeping messes at bay when feeding little ones. Handmade by female seamstresses in Congo through a fair trade partnership with The Peace Exchange—a Laguna Beach-based nonprofit—the machine washable, reversible bibs with button closures, $15, are available on the organization’s website. (thepeaceexchange.com)
Foodie
A GIFT BASKET of gourmet goods is sure to please any foodie on your list, with options from olive oils and specialty spices to all kinds of imported foods, plus handmade pottery, beautiful dish towels and napkins for setting the table or decking out the kitchen, from $50 (pictured basket valued around $150), at Mercado Laguna. (949-664-1008; mercadolaguna.com)
Traveler
Hopping from city to city will be a breeze with the AUMAKUA SPLASH-PROOF MINI HIP PACK from Aloha Collection, which sits at the waist for easy accessibility. The waterproof material protects against spills and rain while the interior has space to hold all of your travel essentials—with a hidden pocket for credit and identification cards, $42, at The Shop. Laguna Beach. (949-715-8308; theshoplaguna.com)
Coffee Enthusiast
Anyone who loves waking up with a hot cup of java would enjoy the 10-OUNCE COFFEE SAMPLER PACK from Laguna-based Jedidiah Coffee. The pack—four 2.5-ounce bags of the current featured varieties, like ones from Mexico or Honduras—comes in your choice of whole bean or ground coffee, $24, is available on the company’s website. (949-291-4325; jedidiahcoffee.com)
Child
Kids ages 3 and up can learn while having fun as they put together this 48-piece SOLAR SYSTEM FLOOR PUZZLE by Melissa & Doug. The durable pieces are cut from extra-thick cardboard, making it easy for little hands to assemble the colorful image featuring the sun, eight planets and Earth’s moon, $26.95, at Little Freebirds. (949-376-9925; littlefreebirds.com)
Exercise Guru
Whether dancing, lifting weights or doing Pilates, THE DROPCUT JUMPSUIT from OnTheMarq by Nita Marquez is activewear that moves with you. Made of a breathable polyester-nylon-Supplex blend compression fabric, it’s easy to wash and wear, great for travel and never loses its elasticity. And the back can be pulled down to use the restroom (rather than having to remove the entire jumpsuit). It’s available in a wide range of sizes and colors, $169.99, at The Vault Women. (949-376-5000; instagram.com/thevaultwomenlaguna)
