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I was born in S Cal..Newport Beach area..raised in Placentia and have lived in Texas most of my adult life..currently live in Lakeway, right outside of Austin. My husband and I were married 20 years ago in Laguna Beach. I want to come back for a special anniversary trip! My husband has never been to San Diego or for that matter Southern Cal, except for a quick 3 days during our wedding. Anyhow i plan for us to spend time in San Diego, Newport, maybe a trip to Catalina and end up in Laguna. We just got unexpected tickets to the Ohana festival (one night) on Sept. 26th. Our anniversary is Sept.17th, so wanted to go to Las Brisas for dinner on actual anniversary date (where we had our wedding reception and stay in area for 2-3 nights) should we fly into John Wayne, hang in Laguna area 2-3 days, drive to San Diego 4-5 nights, then back to Newport area )Doheny beach for Ohana festival) or does it make sense to just go to San Diego first for 4-5 nights, then head to Laguna and Newport for the rest of the trip? I know it seems silly, but i just wanted to be in Laguna on actual date, and thought it could be doable as logistically it's only about an hour away..Thoughts, ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer

It sounds like a wonderful anniversary trip! Since your primary goal is to celebrate your actual anniversary at Las Brisas in Laguna Beach on September 17th, it makes sense to structure your itinerary around that key date while keeping travel time minimal and allowing a relaxing pace for the rest of your Southern California visit.

Here are two main itinerary options to consider:

Option 1 – Anniversary First, Then Explore San Diego: Fly into John Wayne Airport (SNA) and spend 2–3 nights in Laguna Beach around September 17th. This allows you to enjoy your anniversary dinner at Las Brisas, revisit your wedding area, and relax without worrying about driving long distances on the actual day.
Option 2 – San Diego First, Laguna for Anniversary: Fly into San Diego or John Wayne, spend 4–5 nights in San Diego exploring the city and surrounding attractions, then drive back up to Laguna Beach for 2–3 nights so you can be in Laguna for the anniversary. This keeps all San Diego activities grouped together but requires more back-and-forth driving.

Given your priorities and the short distances in Southern California, Option 1 is likely more enjoyable and less stressful. You’ll celebrate your anniversary first, then have a clear block of time to explore San Diego, Newport Beach, and even Catalina if you wish. Logistically, driving from Laguna Beach to San Diego is about 1.5–2 hours, so it’s manageable for a later portion of your trip.

Additional suggestions:

Consider booking accommodations in Laguna Beach early, as September can still be busy.
If you want to include Catalina, plan for a day trip from Newport Beach, or even consider staying one night on the island to maximize your experience.
For the Ohana Festival on September 26th, staying near Doheny Beach or Newport will minimize stress and travel on the day of the event.
Keep your driving days scenic and relaxed; the Pacific Coast Highway offers beautiful views between Laguna and San Diego.

Overall, starting in Laguna for the anniversary and then heading south to San Diego and finishing back in Newport for the festival makes the most sense for both celebration and logistics. This way, you honor your anniversary date and still have flexibility for sightseeing and festival attendance without rushed travel.

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