A historic hotel in the upscale coastal community of Laguna Beach is facing scrutiny for attempting to create a private beach area for its guests in apparent violation of California state law.
Hotel Laguna, a landmark along the Pacific Coast Highway for over a century, is accused of violating California’s long-standing Coastal Act by constructing a sand berm and placing signage and lounge chairs on a public stretch of sand, SFGATE reported Wednesday.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with images and videos in recent weeks showing a raised sand barrier to protect the protected area, groomed and furnished with lounge chairs bearing the hotel’s name.
One video allegedly showed hotel staff asking members of the public to leave the cordoned-off area…