The sign on the right announces that you have arrived
at "Coast Royal", the name a developer gave to this section
of the South Laguna coast. Notice that the newly graded section of
the future Pacific Coast Highway does not follow the original road,
which can be seen on the right, passing right next to the sign. Today,
this section of the coast is occupied by the "Coast Royal"
condominiums, located just to the south of Aliso Beach.
This wonderful old photo of the Pacific Coast Dirtway
is looking south from South Laguna toward Dana Point. The very top
of Whale Island can be seen poking above the coastal cliffs on the
right. The farmhouse, barely visible alongside the road ahead is located
where today's main entrance to Three Arch Bay now resides. I have
enlarged the farmhouse as much as I can in the photo below.
Looking back into Aliso Canyon and the original bridge
that led to the Thurston farm, hidden in the Eucalyptus grove in the
distance. At this time, there was no road that led from here into
Laguna Beach. A few years later, they finally made a road along the
north side of the canyon and into Laguna, thus connecting the Pacific
Coast Hwy into one. On the right side of this picture you can see
the start of the road cut that climbs up out of the canyon to the
cliff tops above.
Today, you can still see and walk on this original part
of the Pacific Coast Hwy. It can be found running up from behind the
GTE Telephone building on the south side of Aliso Canyon. Take a walk
back in time. Smell the sage and Sweet Anis. Dream the old dreams.
The Thurston homestead ranch in the 1930's. Imagine...just walking into
Aliso Canyon, and claiming it as yours. Free and clear.
"The Arch Beach Tavern was built in 1915 at the extreme
end of Catalina Street to house people of the motion picture industry.
It was also the headquarters for selling lots in the Arch Beach Heights
Tract. You could go and see the lot or buy it from the map. "Any lot
for $10". The office was in the large room which was often used for
inside motion picture scenes. It was named Sunset Inn when made into
apartments in the late '20's"
Text from the book "The First 100
years in Laguna Beach" by Merle and Mabel Ramsey,
The Aliso View Grocery was located almost exactly where
this picture was taken. High on the side of Aliso Peak is the famous "Halliburton
House". The scar from the original Coast Hwy can be clearly
seen on the far side of Aliso Canyon.
And now for a little "Bonus History"....
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