city, Orange county, southwestern California, U.S. Lying along the Pacific Ocean, Laguna Beach is about 50 miles (80 km) south of Los Angeles. Part of the Mexican land grant (1837) called Rancho San Joaquin, it was named Lagona, a corruption of the Spanish word meaning “lagoon,” for the two lagoons at the head of Laguna Canyon. Founded in 1887 as Lagonas, it was renamed Laguna Beach in 1904. The city, picturesquely situated among stunning cliffs, coves, and canyons, developed as a coastal resort and art colony, and it now draws millions of visitors annually. The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters is held at Irvine Bowl, a natural amphitheatre just east of the city; held nightly in July and August, the pageant re-creates contemporary and classical artworks with elaborate sets and people posing to resemble characters in the original art, accompanied by a live orchestra. Other notable local attractions include the Laguna Art Museum, formed from the Laguna Beach Art Association (founded 1918), and several arts festivals. Several wilderness parks are east of the city. Mission San Juan Capistrano is a few miles southeast, and Crystal Cove State Park is north of the city. Inc. 1927. Pop. (1990) 23,170; (2000) 23,727.