It was such a beautiful day today! I couldn’t help myself and left the office early to walk around in Heisler Park and take some photo’s to share with you. Below you can also find some background information on this North Laguna gem.
A Short History of Heisler Park
In 1905 a gentleman named Howard Heisler purchased North Laguna from the Irvine Company. He developed it as part of his Laguna Cliffs Subdivision along with partners L.C. McKnight and the Thumb Brothers. Water was piped in from Laguna Canyon, and this was the first neighborhood offering water with every lot. Wells had been used for years and water was hauled in barrels from Laguna or Aliso canyons into town. It had been said “Laguna was long on scenery and short on improvements, especially drinking water.”
By 1929 developer Howard Heisler decided to go back on an earlier promise to dedicate the 18,5 acres along the bluff as a park. A local resident named Elmer Jahraus (who happened to be Laguna’s first real estate agent) felt that this decision was wrong. He stepped in with a lawsuit and won. The land has remained a park to this very day. (Thanks Elmer!)
Visiting Heisler Park
Heisler Park feels like a tropical paradise. It really does! You can wander along the meandering path located on top of the bluff and feel like you are in a whole different world. The views include stunning cliffs, beaches, tide pools and even downtown Laguna Beach. You can watch the waves roll unto the shore and if you look closely you might even spot some whales, dolphins and seals. The park offers incredible landscaping, view points, gazebos and beach access.
The beaches offer some of Laguna’s best snorkeling and diving and are host to an amazing variety of flora and fauna. When the tide drops you will find many beautiful tide pools featuring large sea stars, anemones and all sorts of little creatures. Exploring the tide pools is fun for both young and old! In the summer you might even run into a special Tide Pool Docent. I once got one of these tours at Treasure Island Beach and I loved learning about the ecosystem. The tour is very informative and it gives you a whole new level of tide pool appreciation!
The park offers plenty of possibilities for lounging and hanging out with friends and family. There are benches, picnic tables, barbecues and gazebos and there is plenty of grass. On any random day you will see individuals tanning, families firing up the barbecue, photographers, tourists, locals walking their dogs and local artists. Heisler Park is also a popular place for weddings as its views are just as amazing as they are at the Montage Resort. But it is a lot cheaper! In fact, I ran into a wedding party today.
Heisler Park does get busy in the summer and on weekends (no wonder), so I would recommend getting there a little early so you can find a good place to park. There is metered parking along the park, but the spaces tend to fill up fast. The park can be accessed on foot from Main Beach, or from Cliff Drive. If you are driving on PCH there are several ways to access Cliff Drive including: Aster, Myrtle, Jasmine and Beverly Street.
About Jaleesa Peluso
Jaleesa Peluso is a Laguna Beach Realtor®. As a Laguna Beach Realtor she specializes in coastal homes and luxury home marketing. For more information about Orange County Real Estate or Laguna Beach Real Estate, visit: www.jaleesapeluso.com
Contact: (949) 395-0960 or Jaleesa@JaleesaPeluso.com