Montage Laguna Beach … Sunset Cocktails

I'm back this Friday with the 2nd installment of  my weekly summer feature

The best places in

Southern Orange County for

Sunset Cocktails!

This week I'm sharing about one of my all time favorites

The Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach.

Situated on an absolutely pristine piece of property in South Laguna Beach

it's one of my favorites places in Southern California

with one of the most beautiful beaches around!

The hotel was designed with the intent of capturing  a visual feeling of Laguna Beach

rather than referencing European grand hotels like several of the other

5 star hotels in the area.

Even cocktails in the hotel lobby where this photo was taken

offers a fantastic view.

But my favorite spot for sunset cocktails at the Montage

is always down at

 the Studio Restaurant.

You enter the Montage Hotel property from the top

and 

then go steps down  or elevator to the main outdoor areas.

At this 5 star resort even the restrooms

are full luxury with orchids and linen towels in each individual stall.

Taking the steps down lead you to the signature restaurant 

The Studio.

You get to walk by their magnificent raised gardens

where they grow many of their farm to table ingredients.
Seeing their luscious gardens together with the ocean view
is always an inspiration to me!

The food at the Studio is world class

but my favorite part of the charming Studio restaurant

is always sitting outside on the couches

to watch the sunset into the Pacific.

And if your really lucky

Mother Nature can paint quite a spectacular picture!

A draw back to this fantastic spot is that it is a small space

with very limited seating

So timing is everything

as in earlier is better for a chance for  one of the two  couches.

A fire pit provides not only warmth

but amazing ambiance as well.

Limited food service is available with cocktails.

As far as pricing goes

The Montage is on the very high end

as one would expect at a 5 star resort

but the spectacular views and luxurious property

always makes it with the splurge to us.

Heaters are also lit

and

beautiful blankets brought out to ward off a beach chill.
Service is usually quite sublime.

As often as we've been to the Montage over the years

cocktails outside at the Studio

never disappoints.
For me it can be such a soulful spot
to witness the unending beauty of Mother Nature.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

You can find the first in my series of
SoCal Sunset Cocktails HERE