The defined arches on the left was one of the largest toy stores along the coastal towns. Now, the corner arch is a restaurant that is called the Greeter’s Corner Restaurant for lack of a better name. The historic old “Greeter” used to stand on this arched building corner to wave to all South bound travelers from early morning to around the dinner hour. We never saw him at night when we came cruising as teens. The early hours and lunch hours we saw him going to or coming home from surfing those southern beaches weekly. Hello, One of the busiest streets if not “the” busiest highways in all of Orange County in So Cal. The corner of Forest Avenue and PCH in Laguna Beach. The highway has two lanes plus parking along the curb. From this view, the busy corner is in the far portion of the photo. But, this corner starts the whole jam up process. The highway heading North is always jammed with cars parked along both curbs and the traffic coming to the sharp turn heading North or South at this intersection. Sometimes it is better if one takes a slightly inland street about a block inland that runs parallel to PCH and that gets one from North Laguna Beach to South Laguna Beach faster than the heavy traffic on PCH. The Greeter’s Corner Restaurant, today is very popular if one can get parking somewhere within walking distance. The back patio is the closest restaurant with a 180 degree ocean view, just steps away and from any table on the patio along this portion of the long Main Beach area. Our granddaughter loved coming to this particular spot as it had three things. One a fabulous climbing park for kids, a long real boardwalk from one end of the beach to the far northern end and great restaurants for lunch or snacks. Oh, sorry, #4 was the cute little toy store now residing on the back corner shop steps away from the beach and park. A packed lunch on the park benches, grassy area and shade is always fun and afterwards, she knew directly where to head before we walked back to our car. The corner toy store. Grandparents are always good for something… ha! Jnaki But, on the street, even 20 years later, not much has changed as the traffic is still jammed all year around. The summer months are a nightmare during the day. But early in the morning and later in the dark, traffic flows a lot better and there are less people walking around stopping the lights. The flow of traffic + the pedestrians crossing got to be so busy that it blocked the flowing PCH traffic. So, the city fathers closed the main downtown street, Forest Avenue to any traffic from PCH. Now, the downtown street is strictly walking and dining only. (that improved the flow on PCH a little better, but visitors still come from all over the world, just to see Laguna Beach and what it has to offer.) Note: There is no such thing as “Rush Hour,” unless it is from 7 to 9 in the morning and 4-6 at night. It is always “rush hour.” Although, very early in the day, as young teen surfers was good for a 3rd gear cruise through the town without having to stop for any lights. It was the case, if we timed the early dark morning sunrise surf check drive, even from the far distant Long Beach city base… Even being in the city itself, it is always a pick and choose the hour, driving trips throughout the year, especially during the busy Summer months. Now, the teens and teachers are back in school and the traffic has died down somewhat. I had an appointment in Newport Beach up the coast and at 9 am, it was no stopping, full flowing traffic going North and South, coming back down the coast a couple of hours later. No rush hour when school starts in August/September... YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
