Promenade On Forest Pedestrian Plaza Gets Rave Reviews

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Promenade on Forest glitters under the bare bulb light strings. The experience is a blend of outdoor seating, and hand sanitizer stations, and social distancing reminders all designed for the comfort of visitors and business owners striving to keep the lights on amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced more closures to indoor restaurants, wine tasting rooms, bars, and other forms of indoor exercise, salons, and places of worship. By enabling Laguna Beach's Forest Avenue businesses to do their work, the city of Laguna Beach is both propping up the economy and providing residents with a link to pre-pandemic normalcy.

Yes, you have to wear masks.

Yes, social distancing of 6 feet is required.

Restaurants open for takeout and dine-outdoors are:

• 235 Forest Avenue
• Slice
• Lumberyard
• Brussels Bistro
• Alessa By Chef Pirozzi

Nearby, restaurants are also serving customers with outside dining:

• Nick's Laguna Beach
• Las Brisas
• The Loft
• Oak Laguna Beach
• Urth Caffe Laguna Beach
• Laguna Beach Beer Company
• Driftwood Kitchen
• Moulin
• Beachcomber Cafe
• Pizza Bar

As well as many others. Call ahead to find out open times.

According to visitors, like Michael Shawn, the restaurants seem to be benefiting the most from the open-air experience.

Reader John Selecky loved the changes.

"The murals on the street are a nice touch," he says, and the "dining platforms are attractively built."

Selecky and his wife dined at 230 Forest and enjoyed the experience, he tells us.

"The only problem was most of the people (not wearing masks) would not listen to the security guard asking them to cover up," Selecky said, adding, "We hope it improves business downtown and will be continued a long time."

Have you gone?

Tell us about your outdoor dining or shopping experience in Laguna Beach by emailing your Patch Editor or writing in comments.