There are a lot of parks in Laguna Beach, but there’s only one with a soul: Heisler.
Weddings and barbecue pits, painters and bowlers, singers and divers, Heisler brings out the eclectic panoply that is Laguna.
On its surface, Heisler is the most regal of Laguna’s parks, but it is also the most accessible. It’s walkable for everyone, open to everyone. There are no fees or onerous rules. Just respect it and it will respect you.
It will reward you with a private knoll to picnic and whale watch. You can catch a concert or lawn bowl. When the inimitable poet, teacher and actor John Gardiner was alive (rest his soul), you could hear him do Shakespeare.
Maybe Shakespeare will return soon.
But there are many things to enjoy now: both weird and conservative art, six landmarks, endless ocean views and enough serenity to last lifetimes.
Yes, this is an ode to Heisler. And no, we don’t care if you agree because we’re having a serenity-now moment.
