THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025
Laguna Beach Marine Safety Regional Drone Training
Last week, Laguna Beach Marine Safety hosted a regional drone training for Orange County Marine Safety agencies. The training included searches for a missing swimmer, a missing person on land, and a vessel investigation. The collaboration works to strengthen regional coordination and enhance each agency’s effectiveness in future operations.
Laguna Art-A-Fair Call for Artists!
The Laguna Art-A-Fair is now looking for artists to join the 2026 festival. The Call for Artists is from now until January 31, 2026.
Show dates are from June 26 through September 6.
Laguna Beach Residents — HHW Survey!
The City is gathering feedback from residents to help improve household hazardous waste (HHW) recycling programs and make Laguna Beach a cleaner, safer community. Please take a few minutes to share your input by completing the short survey below:
Upcoming Citizens Academy Class
Join our Citizen Police Academy class that starts this upcoming January 2026! In our academy you will have courses to learn about SWAT, investigations team, DUI investigations, narcotics, CSI, and more! We will also be taking a trip to OC jail and have an opportunity to attend our shooting range.
Meet Tiny, an adorable and affectionate 7-month-old neutered male orange-and-white shorthair tabby.
Tiny is a 7-month-old neutered male orange-and-white domestic shorthair tabby with a playful spirit and a gentle, old-soul heart. He’s still growing and filling out, but his personality already shines through. Tiny would do best in a home with other cats or children who can keep up with his fun-loving energy. His favorite pastime is batting and chasing his toy spring, followed closely by snuggling up for a good cuddle. Sweet, social and full of charm, Tiny is ready to find his forever home. Come meet Tiny today!
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. For any questions, please call (949) 497-3552.
Caltrans Paving Update!
Caltrans’ contractor, Granite, is scheduled to stripe Laguna Canyon Road (SR-133) from El Toro to SR-73 starting on Sunday 12/21. Work will require daytime lane closures on NB and SB SR-133; however, one lane in each direction will remain open at all times. Expect delays.
Work is scheduled to occur as follows:
-Sun. 12/21: 9 am to 4 pm -Mon. 12/22: 9 am to 4 pm -Tues. 12/23: 9 am to 4 pm -Wed. 12/24: 9 am to 1 pm (if needed)
Contact Caltrans PIO, Nathan Abler, at 657-650-5146 or Nathan.Abler@dot.ca.gov with any questions or concerns.
City of Laguna Beach Awarded $2.5 Million for Affordable Housing Development Through the State’s Local Housing Trust Fund Grant Program
Laguna Beach, CA. The City of Laguna Beach has been awarded $2.5 million through the State of California’s Local Housing Trust Fund Program. The award provides the City with grant funding to support the creation of affordable housing.
The Local Housing Trust Fund program provides matching funds to local and regional housing trust funds dedicated to affordable housing, transitional housing, and emergency shelters. The City will provide the required match funding using a combination of its Housing Fund and Housing In Lieu Fund. Together, the State grant and City match will generate a total of $5 million available for one or more affordable housing projects in Laguna Beach.
Councilmember Bob Whalen, City Council liaison to the City’s Housing and Human Services Committee, issued the following statement:
“Providing more affordable housing for seniors, artists, and the local workforce is vital to maintaining a vibrant community. Affordable housing funding is more competitive than ever and requires diligence, persistence, and a willingness to pursue every available avenue, so we are very grateful to have been selected for this grant.”
“This award reflects sustained and intentional efforts by City Council, the Housing and Human Services Committee, and City staff and I thank them for their hard work. The City Council is committed to expanding affordable housing in the community and this grant will provide a significant boost to our efforts,” Whalen continued.
The City intends to use the grant to support the development of additional affordable housing units in Laguna Beach. The grant application identified the Neighborhood Congregational Church site as a potential affordable housing project. The City is expecting revised plans to be submitted this month for the proposed project. While the City has not formally committed the grant or City funds to a specific project at this time, the City anticipates discussing the appropriation of the funds in early 2026. The City also anticipates holding a town hall meeting in January 2026 to discuss the proposed Church project and the intended use of the awarded grant funds.
The City of Laguna Beach remains committed to advancing affordable housing solutions that support community stability, economic diversity, and long-term affordability.
For additional information, please contact Jeremy Frimond, Assistant City Manager at (949) 464-6673 or jfrimond@lagunabeachcity.net.
Christmas & New Years Transit Service Schedule
Track trolley status in real-time by downloading the Laguna Beach Trolley app or clicking here.
Sawdust's Winter Fantasy Gives the Gift of Art
Laguna Beach’s most magical winter tradition – the Sawdust Art Festival’s 35th Annual Winter Fantasy – returns this holiday season. From November 21st through December 21st, you can find unique treasures and give the gift of art – supporting nearly 200 Laguna Beach artists. Enjoy the festivities, live music, delicious food and shop one-of-a-kind art, including jewelry, ceramics, paintings, photography and more. The Winter Fantasy also includes local eats, perfect pours, and selfies with Santa Claus!
Happy Holidays! ❄️
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.