Gate & Garden Tour showcases Laguna’s charming gardens
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
On Saturday, May 2, the Laguna Beach Garden Club hosted their annual Laguna Beach Gate & Garden Tour, a major fundraiser for educational school gardens, local scholarships and community projects.
The 2026 walking tour was held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., starting at the Laguna Beach County Water District. Built in 1927 in a gorgeous “Mediterranean Revival” style, the district office is now the permanent host venue for the Laguna Beach Garden Club Gate & Garden Tour. Luxury VIP buses transported attendees to start the tour; patrons then strolled through a masterfully curated set of gardens in “Tree Trees” of North Laguna.
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Arriving at the Laguna Beach County Water District dressed for a day exploring Laguna gardens and ready for the annual Hat Contest
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First Stop – “Gull Cottage” was a wonderland of dazzling flowers
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The fountain is a family heirloom from the owner’s great-grandmother
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A conservatory added to connect the cottage interior to the garden is a favorite room now
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A bee-themed garden hat
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#2 “White Rose Cottage” felt like stepping into a story book
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“White Rose Cottage” also had neat and tidy flower and vegetable planters in the lower garden
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#3 “Ebb and Flow” had a perfect lap pool
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A garden designed for entertaining
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#4 “Coastal Bloom” with a selection of semi-tropical plants adorned this lovely garden
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This cozy side yard encouraged one to linger
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#5 “Southern Comfort” included the welcome smiles of the docents who were found at every garden
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Laguna Plein Air Painter Association filled the gardens with talented artists and beautiful works of art
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#6 “The Quiet Jungle” was created by Henry Lawson Mead over decades of hard work…and the sycamore tree house is a local landmark
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A wonderful hidden patio off the kitchen, with mirrors on the back fence created the illusion of more space
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An artist is happily painting in this lush, Laguna jungle setting
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#7 “Queen Bee’s House” was the LBCWD waterwise winner
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Inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”
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#8 “Locus Amoenus” was another waterwise garden with a Southern European influence
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The owners Bryn and Samira welcomed people into their home too, answering the many curious questions about the minimalist yet cozy design influence
The festive event offered artisanal margaritas and Mexican fare for sale, as well as free spectacular homemade baked good and refreshments. In addition to being able to enjoy plein air painters in several gardens, guests could also participate in a raffle of prizes from local artists and businesses. Participants wearing festive garden party hats were encouraged to enter into the hat contest, which has become one of the most popular events in town.
