Truly and Apizza Doho in Dana Point are my choice for best. Gibronis is worth mentioning for Detroit style. Pizza Port is the best for beer and pizza, the lunch slices always taste better than the full pie and it's an incredible deal if you just want a couple of slices and a brew.
Hello! In terms of location, Casa Loma Beach Hotel is unbeaten. Can't speak on what it's like to stay there, but I've always thought u would want to stay there.
HARD AVOID Las Brisas, which is a restaurantright next door. God knows how they stay open, the food is atrocious.
Look up Gelato…
As a non-hiker non-birder, will comment on the food side of things!
Seasurf Fish Co has to be the winner for combo of price / quality / the type of food you would want in a cute beach town. Depending how much you care about food you might want to venture into Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano.…
Mexican: El Maguey Restaurant, San Juan Capistrano
Italian: Tutto Fresco, Rancho Santa Margarita
All-around / Californian: Rancho Capistrano Winery, San Juan Capistrano
Pizza: Truly Pizza, Dana Point
Greek: Greek Bistro, Laguna Hills
Coffee Shop / Breakfast: Polly's Pies Restaurant, Santa Ana…