Pathway to a coastal gem

FOLLOW the paths that meander along this coastal bluff in Laguna Beach and indulge in the mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean and four pristine coves. Along the way, there are wooden benches that beckon with an empty seat or two, a pavilion where you may see a wedding and blankets of grass inviting picnickers.

This bit of paradise was off-limits to the public for half a century. Until 1997, it was occupied by Treasure Island Mobile Park, Hollywood’s version of double-wide living on 30 ocean-view acres. Movie stars came to hide, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz filmed “The Long, Long Trailer” and Tinsel Town columnist Hedda Hopper typed her memoirs here.

When the private trailer park property was sold to developers, Laguna Beach insisted 7 acres be donated for a public park between the ocean and the Montage Resort & Spa, which opened in 2003 and sells a slice of sunshiny lifestyle for $600 or more a night.

Public paths -- about 1 1/2 miles -- ribbon the entire length of the coastal bluff of Treasure Island Park. Fragrant native coastal sage is shaped by the resort’s groundskeepers, who maintain the public areas. At the end of the day, a plein-air artist may set up an easel to capture the ocean at twilight. Couples wait for the sunset, and, occasionally, a man who looks like Bill Clinton shows up to play his saxophone, his tunes beckoning in the night.

-- Janet Eastman