When you think of Orange County, California, the first things that probably pop into mind are Disneyland and the hit TV shows The OC and the Real Housewives of Orange County. But beyond the glitz and glamor that gives this region its reputation, there are some wonderful eco-friendly sights and attractions that make visiting the OC a dream vacation destination for conscious travellers.
Accommodation
This being America, there are many chain hotels in the area, including the Holiday Inn and the Marriott. But perhaps surprisingly, even these corporate giants have gone green, offering guests low-flush toilets, organic toiletries, eco-efficient lighting and organic food. There are also many independent hotels with strong eco-credentials, such as the Laguna Beach Montage, but perhaps the greenest property is the Casa Laguna Eco Spa.
Casa Laguna Eco Spa
The owners of Casa Laguna Inn & Spa always understood the importance of consuming less, recycling, reusing, and preserving the special environment the hotel occupies, so it comes as no surprise that Casa Laguna was the first Laguna Beach hotel to join the Green Hotel Association of America.
Casa Laguna has been an active member of the Slow Foods movement since 2002, and remains one of the few Laguna Beach hotels dedicated to this effort. The movement is dedicated to using fresh, local and organic ingredients. Some of the vegetables and herbs used in the breakfast prepared at Casa Laguna are even grown on property, but the majority of the remaining ingredients are obtained from local sources including Laguna Beach’s own Farmer’s Market.
In areas of new construction, the inn has used recycled and/or sustainable materials where ever possible. The Inn replaced all windows with double paned, argon filled windows for insulation and has blown insulation into all walls, ceilings and floors. Casa Laguna was the first hotel in Laguna Beach to comprehensively replace old lighting technology with compact fluorescent bulbs in 2003 and was the first hotel in Southern California to introduce a water-saving washing machine into the laundry processing.
The inn’s new eco-friendly linens have also helped lower the use of water, electric, gas and cleaning compounds. Low-flow shower heads and sink aerators are now used. Also, Casa Laguna was the first hotel in Laguna Beach (perhaps in Orange County) to introduce ‘on demand’ water heating systems for rooms. All bedding and spa linens are made from eco-friendly materials.
