By Jody Robinson
Whenever friends or family visit from out of town, there’s always one question that inevitably comes up: “Where can we go for the full Southern California experience?”
When the query was posed recently, the answer was easy: Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach.
We brought visiting friends there for dinner, and the reaction was exactly why it’s always a standout recommendation. The moment we stepped onto the oceanfront patio, the conversation paused mid-sentence. Waves crashed just below us. The sun dipped low over the Pacific. Palm trees swayed in the salty breeze. It was the kind of postcard-perfect California evening that feels cinematic in the best possible way.
The setting is undeniably stunning, perched directly above the sand with panoramic ocean views from nearly every table, yet the atmosphere remains relaxed and welcoming. Elegant, yes. Pretentious, never.
Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows flood the dining room with natural light during the day, while evenings transition into glowing sunsets and candlelit reflections dancing across the water. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply lingering over dinner with friends, the restaurant has a way of making the evening feel elevated from the very start.
Of course, ocean views only carry a restaurant so far. Fortunately, the cuisine is equally worthy of the setting.
The menu leans fresh, coastal, and beautifully seasonal, with dishes that feel sophisticated without becoming overly complicated. Popular starters include the artisan cheese trio complemented by candied nuts, dried and fresh fruits, local B&H honeycomb, huckleberry and walnut and raisin crostini – all of which that disappeared almost instantly from the table.
For entrées, the Spot Tail Sea Bass is a standout – buttery, flavorful, and expertly prepared. I’m the seafood aficionado in our family, while my husband, who invariably orders meat dishes, raved about the “fork tender” braised prime shortrib, proving Splashes handles land and sea equally well.
And then there’s dessert – a creamy creme brulee that was the kind of finale that prompts everyone at the table to reach for “just one more bite.”
Splashes becomes more than simply a restaurant recommendation. It becomes part of someone’s California memories – the place they remember when they think back on their visit, the dinner they compare future oceanfront meals to, the evening that felt unmistakably SoCal in all the best ways.
In a region filled with beautiful coastal restaurants, Splashes continues to stand apart because it offers something increasingly rare: an experience that truly transports you, if only for a few hours.
