Main Beach Park

Main Beach Park is known as Laguna’s “Window to the Sea,” but it wasn’t always that way. This historical photograph shows the buildings that once bordered most of Main Beach. They included gas stations, restaurants, bar, and dance hall. In the 1960s, proposals were considered to intensify the development on Main Beach, including a convention center.

Concerned residents and city officials worked hard to come up with a plan and funding to create a park at Main Beach instead. After proposed bond issues failed to pass by very slim margins, in 1968 the Board of the Festival of the Arts committed to provide funds from the Festival to pay off revenue bonds for the purchase. The park construction was completed in 1971. A broad coalition of community members and organizations working with the city were successful in creating this beautiful park for the enjoyment of all.