Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Laguna Beach Declares Local Emergency After Hurricane Marie Swells Denuded Beaches, Damaged Homes

Also, don't miss The Coast Vintage Market on the Laguna Beach Patch calendar

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Friday September 11th Patch AM
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Cheers Laguna Beach! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Laguna Beach rushes to protect homes after massive storm-driven beach erosion
  • City warns residents about fake flood videos amid real storm damage
  • What will replace Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck on Laguna's shoreline?

Also on today's calendar: The Coast Vintage Market and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Mostly sunny and humid, with a high of 81 and low of 69 degrees.
  • Saturday: Humid, temps: high: 79, low: 66.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and cool, with a high of 75 and low of 66 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Laguna Beach Declares Local Emergency After Hurricane Marie Swells Denuded Beaches, Damaged Homes (patch.com) — Laguna Beach has declared a local emergency after Hurricane Marie's powerful swells stripped sand from local beaches, damaged seawalls, and threatened several oceanfront homes on Ocean Way and Lagunita Drive. City officials are fast-tracking shoreline protection, sand placement, and repairs as closures hit Lagunita, Pearl Street, and Christmas Cove beaches, with a forecasted very strong El Niño raising fears of more erosion this winter.
   

2. The Laguna Beach Flood Danger Is Real — The Videos Are Fake (patch.com) — Laguna Beach residents are being urged by city leaders to ignore viral videos falsely portraying the town underwater and instead rely on official and trusted news sources. While Hurricane Marie did cause real damage, including yellow-tagged oceanfront homes on Ocean Way and closure of the Aliso Beach parking lot, conditions were far less catastrophic than the misleading clips suggest.
   

3. Laguna Beach oceanfront restaurants close as locals rage over resort redevelopment: 'Some monstrosity' (timesnewsnetworks.com) — Laguna Beach residents are grappling with the sudden closure of Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck, longtime oceanfront favorites being demolished to make way for a new luxury resort tied to the Pacific Edge Hotel property. Locals worry the high‑end redevelopment, approved after a lengthy city process, will erode the town's laid‑back coastal character and replace beloved gathering spots with something far more upscale.
   

4. Trial Begins For Woman Accused Of Laguna Beach Hit-And-Run That Killed 60-Year-Old Man (patch.com) — A major trial is underway over a 2022 crash at South Coast Highway and Pearl Street in Laguna Beach, where a 60-year-old pedestrian was killed and his wife injured. Prosecutors say the young driver was speeding and fled, while the defense argues the collision was an accident and challenges claims about marijuana use and speed estimates.
   

5. Step Inside the Most Iconic Celebrity and Designer Homes House Beautiful Has Ever Featured (housebeautiful.com) — Laguna Beach readers get a nostalgic peek inside Bette Midler's former oceanfront cottage perched on a local cliff, once featured in House Beautiful. The story highlights how the home's Gothic tower, beach access, and Hawaiian‑inspired fabrics and mosaics created a light, playful retreat that blended Laguna's coastal setting with Midler's island roots.
   

📸 Around Laguna Beach

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Last Quarter 2026 Orange County & California Real Estate Market Update —Amir Vahdat (REALTOR®Broker/MBA) Read on Patch
  • To the person I met at Costco.
    I was at Costco a few days ago and I had a dog with me. I got out of my car and remote started my car when I heard a lady who parked opposite to me… (Nextdoor Arch Beach Heights)
  • My sweet kitty has gone missing 😿 I saw the very helpful post from a day ago about actionable steps to take for a missing indoor kitty.
    In the meanwhile I thought I might post a photo in case someone has seen her. She was last seen Wednesday 9/9 in the morning. I live in North Laguna. (Nextdoor North Laguna)
  • JC Resorts, LLC posted a job opening for Night Auditor in Laguna Beach. Apply here.
  • Cervélo Bicycles posted a job opening for Global Supply Planner in Aliso Viejo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Laguna Beach here.

Ok Laguna Beach! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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