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The historic Oceanfront Hotel in Laguna Beach is being fired to establish a private area for guests. According to the state, luxury property faces fines of up to $11,250 per day to ensure access to public beaches.
Hotel Laguna claims it is the first hotel in the famous Orange County Beach, which has been along the Pacific Coast Expressway for over 125 years, according to its website. It also has a years-long history of breaking laws set by the California Coastal Act, which provides conservation and development of coastal resources and “the largest public access to the coast,” while also providing for the development of coastal resources.
More recently, according to a letter shared with USA Today, sent to the committee last week, the hotel built a “balm” on the sand on the grounds along with umbrellas, beach chairs and signs.
Such unauthorized developments “illegally discourage public access to public trust lands” by giving the impression that beaches are private, the letter continued. Privately owned coastlines is legal, but the state owns all beaches.
The feud over ensuring access to public beaches is nothing new to California, with various battles hitting the sands of California coasts from San Diego to Malibu to Half Moon Bay. California beaches are open to the waters of the High Tide Line. However, many communities have made it difficult for people to reach the coastline for many years.
Social media says people are threatening if they don’t leave hotel employee Tiktox. Others have left harsh comments on the hotel’s Instagram post, saying “I’m embarrassed by you,” and that it “steals” the beach.
Government agencies are asking hotels to quickly remove these unauthorized developments, but due to the history of similar violations, they are also considering “formal enforcement.”
In 2024, the committee received reports that it was allegedly trespassing private property when it was legally a state property. The hotel also set barriers for volleyball nets, poles and other “other equipment blocking public access.”
The hotel will need to provide photo evidence that the balm and other beach equipment have been removed until May 23rd.
