A brief look at the population and steets of Laguna Beach City will give you an idea of what to expect. The city is home to over 66,000 people, making it one of the largest in Orange County. The city's boundaries include the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, the city of Newport Beach on the northwest, and the cities of Dana Point and Aliso Viejo on the southeast.
The city's primary industry is tourism. It is home to many world-renowned restaurants, art festivals, and galleries. While Laguna Beach is predominantly white (84.2%), diversity in the city has been a struggle. Diversity outside of the artistic community has not been a part of Laguna Beach's DNA. Since the 1920s, the city has been home to drug and fringe communities. Despite its idyllic appearance, the city continues to attract people to its sunny beaches.
After the American Civil War, Laguna Beach's settlers started to arrive. They were encouraged to plant trees under the Homestead Act and the Timber Culture Act. By 1887, the town was established as a post office. By 1904, the city began to attract tourists. In 1886, the hubbard Goff family built a large hotel at Arch Beach. This was followed by Joseph Yoch's Laguna Beach Hotel. Soon, visitors from neighboring cities pitched tents on the beaches during the warm summer months.
As the cost of living soared, the number of residents became limited. The influx of tech dollars and real estate developers meant that many homes were used as vacation rentals and moneymakers. This trend eroded the fabric of the community. However, it helped the LGBTQ community revive. Although the city has been plagued by the decline in the LGBTQ population, it is still a great place for gay and lesbian residents.