Appeal of Determination by the Design Review Board that the Egan Homestead House property is not historic—allowing it to be demolished. Appeal will be heard at City Council January 13.

Esther and Frances Egan with their trusty steed Gill, near their family homestead circa 1920.

The Egan homestead is the current focus of our historic preservation efforts.  The Design Review Board approved demolition of this last remaining homesteader house.   An appeal to City Council was filed by neighbors, Village Laguna and South Laguna Civic Association. The appeal emphasizes the opinions of two historical consultants that the property is eligible for the California Register of Historical Resources, and the National Register of Historic Places, because of its local role in the implementation of the Homestead Act, signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1862.  Competing historical reports, one funded by the developer, dispute those findings.

Learn more about the Egan Family and their homestead in a series of articles by Lee Hanson in Stu News.

Art and Activism Preserve a Coastal Landscape
LAGUNA BEACH CA USA 3.31.25

Welcome to

Village Laguna

Looking into the Sunset over the Pacific Ocean thinking about Lifestyles in the city of Laguna Beach - ©Charles Michael Murray

CURRENT IMPORTANT AND HOT TOPICS

Art and Activism Preserve a Coastal Landscape
LAGUNA BEACH CA USA 3.31.25

What Is Village Laguna?

Founded in 1971, this non-profit mutual-benefit community organization began when concerned citizens opposed the construction of high rise buildings along the legendary Laguna Beach coastline and helped create Main Beach Park. Since then, Village Laguna’s goals have expanded to encompass our mission statement to preserve, enhance, and celebrate the unique village character and cultural heritage of Laguna Beach; to foster community spirit and address social needs; and to  work toward restoring and protecting our ocean and coastal habitats. [See Legal Description]

Village Laguna hosts monthly meetings where you will find opportunities to learn and take action to preserve and enhance the village character of Laguna Beach. Visit our Calendar page for meeting dates and times.

Watch this video by Gary LeFebvre showing some Village Laguna Highlights.

Village Laguna and Laguna Beach: “The Truth about Village Laguna,” a column by Ann Christoph, plus an article on the designation of Laguna Beach as a Historic American Landscape

OUR MISSION

Village Laguna’s mission is to preserve, enhance, and celebrate the unique village character and cultural heritage of Laguna Beach; to foster community spirit and address social needs; and to work toward restoring and protecting our ocean and coastal habitats.

LEARN MORE

Our focus and resolve on current issues comes from years of

experience of solutions on past topics by embracing and

maintaining the community integrity and history of Laguna Beach.

Barbara Dresel, Village Laguna Scholarship Chair, presents the Arnold and Bonnie Hano Village Laguna Scholarship to Uma Bhatia at the Laguna Beach High School 2023 Honors Convocation.

SCHOLARSHIP

Every year since 1978, Village Laguna has awarded a scholarship to a Laguna Beach High School graduating senior who shows leadership and involvement in activities that protect the environment and promote humanitarian goals.

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CURRENT ISSUES

December 24. 2024
RE: Historical Significance of the Neighborhood Congregational Church

Village Laguna asked architectural historian Francesca Smith to evaluate the Neighborhood Congregational Church property at 340 St. Ann’s Dr. In the attached evaluation she finds the three related, contributing buildings eligible for the California Register of Historical Resources under Criterion 3 and for the Laguna Beach Historic Register under Criteria 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9.

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PAST ISSUES

Village Laguna Issues and Responses
Village Laguna Gets Involved making a difference in the community by principals that help maintain the integrity and history of our little town. Members have a voice that is brought to the City of Laguna Beach.

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Village Laguna Hour

Discussions and interviews on current topics. (Archives)

Oct 2025

Amy Jackson & Toni Iseman

Cultural Happenings with Regina Hartley and Rick Conkey

Oct 2025

Amy Jackson & Toni Iseman

Secret Sauce with Judy Yorke and Ruben Flores

July 2025

Amy Jackson & Toni Iseman

Artist Intersection with David Kizziar and Candace Brokenshire

June 2025

Cathy Jurca

Discuses historic resources and CEQA

May 2025

Alex Rounaghi

Mayor Discusses many current Laguna Issues

April 2025

Merrill Anderson

Hear Village Laguna new President plans and accomplishments of Village Laguna

December 2024

Grossman Lagrew

Discusses Laguna Greenbelt & Need for Wildlife Corridor

October 2024

Harry Huggins - Eric Jessen

HH: On History of Nov 11, 1989 Walk in the Canyon

EJ: Discusses Village Rockledge and Current Damage to it

September 2024

George Weiss

Discusses City Council Election Issues

August 2024

Steve McIntosh

Of Sensible Laguna on School Board & Pool

NEWSLETTERS

Established 1971 to preserve and enhance the unique village character of Laguna Beach. (Archives)

November 2025


— NEWS —

City Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 18 5 p.m.
City Council Chambers
Membership Meeting
Monday, November 24 7 p.m. By Zoom
Village Laguna Board Meeting
Saturday, December 6 9 a.m.
Home of Johanna Felder
2680 Park Avenue
Holiday Party Potluck
Monday, December 8 6:30 p.m.
Methodist Church
21632 Wesley Drive
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 9 5 p.m.
City Council Chambers
LV News SEPT 2025

September 2025


— NEWS —

Membership Meeting & Potluck
Future Direction By-laws
Monday, September 29 6:30 p.m.
412 Jasmine St.

Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 23, 5 p.m.
Design Review Board Meeting

Egan historic house
Thursday, September 25 5:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
1110 Glenneyre St.
Wednesday, October 15 6:00 p.m.

City meetings all at Council Chambers
City Hall

June 2025


— NEWS —

Village Laguna
General Meeting
Monday, June 9, 7 p.m.
On Zoom 
Council Meetings
Tuesday, June 10
Appeal of ADU at 1673
Louise St. Appeal of Promenade
June 11, 4 p.m.
Budget Adoption
Tuesday, June 24, 5 p.m.

May 2025


— NEWS —

Council Meetings
Tuesday, May 6 & 20, 5 p.m.
Heritage Month Activities Kickoff
Reception See schedule here:
-Gate and Garden Tour
Saturday May 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
lagunabeach
gardenclub.org
-Charm House Tour Sunday,
May 18, noon-5 p.m.
Board buses at the
Festival Grounds
Noon- 3 p.m.

March 2025


— NEWS —

Art and Activism
Preserve a Coastal Landscape
Monday, March 31, 7 p.m.
Rivian South Coast Theater
-Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 11 & 25, 5 p.m.
-Planning Commission
Wednesday, March 19, 6 p.m.
-Council Chambers Town Hall Meeting
Alert, Warning & Evacuations
Thursday, March 20, 5 p.m.
Council Chambers
-Village Laguna Board Meeting
Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m. Zoom

February 2025


— NEWS —

Membership Meeting
Future of Community and School Poo
Wednesday, February 26, 7 p.m. On Zoom

Council MeetingTuesday, February 25, 5 p.m.

Village Laguna Board Meeting
Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m.
Home of Ann Christoph 31632
Wildwood Road

CONTACT US

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Address

PO Box 1309
Laguna Beach, CA 92652
Email

villagelagunainfo@gmail.com
Phone

949 472.7503

Village Laguna was founded in 1971 by concerned citizens opposed to the construction of high-rise buildings along the legendary Laguna Beach coastline. Our efforts led to the adoption of a 36-foot height limit that still protects our city’s unique atmosphere.

CHARM HOUSE TOUR

SOCIAL MEDIA