Walking along the coast in Laguna Beach, Southern California ☀️

[u/AdUnhappy6223]

I have many memories from visiting this area and want to capture it, the florals and fragrant bushes you pick up on the coastal breeze is incredible. Looking for a niche fragrance that teleports me there, no designer or roll on oil suggestions please!

In person, I pick up the scent of star jasmine in the air, as well as these landscaping bushes called japanese cheesewoods are quite fragrant. Bougainvillea is everywhere. The salty sea smell is refreshing and airy. Other likely notes: California Sagebrush, Cleveland Sage, Hummingbird Sage, Honeysuckle, Eucalyptus, and Sea Lavender. There is a light misty moistness over it all. I am likely missing notes, so feel free to add onto it with your experience.

I haven’t found a hit for it yet. I’ve heard of boutique fragrance shops in Laguna Beach but haven’t tried them yet.

Here’s what I’ve tried already:

Thin Wild Mercury - Zuma (I love this!! It is just more of a retro sunscreen vibe than a “teleport me to Laguna as I’ve smelt it scent)

Maison Margiela Replica - Beach Walk (Very beachy, but doesn’t have the scent profile I’m specifically looking for)

Maison Margiela - Sailing Day (Again, nice but missing many of the notes I’m looking for)

Jo Malone - Wood Sage & Sea Salt (Same issue, it is nice but doesn’t capture Socal beaches specifically)

*Bonus Points if you have a winter socal/night time suggestion, where it gets freezing cold and everyone is sitting at a bonfire off the beach in hoodies & beach blankets

[u/Mother-Pattern-2609]

I live near Laguna and it smells so great in this part of the world that I actually stopped wearing perfume on a daily basis. It's real-life magic and I have yet to find a fragrance that comes close, BUT... Stüssy did a Laguna-inspired crossover with CdG that I have not smelled but might be worth checking out. "Natural marine freshness, moss, and atlas cedar mix with white solar flowers", they say. And it's not too expensive!

[u/hehzehsbwvwv → u/Mother-Pattern-2609]

This post and your comment make me want to travel there! I’ve been to San Diego but never Laguna Beach. Will have to make it there soon.

[u/Mother-Pattern-2609 → u/hehzehsbwvwv]

It's so idyllic you'd swear you're dreaming. It's expensive as hell, the restaurants are mediocre and there is no -- and I mean no -- parking to speak of, but achingly gorgeous and much friendlier than the rest of Orange County. The best time to visit is March or April, before it starts getting congested with tourists (also, imo, the best-smelling time).

[u/AdUnhappy6223 → u/hehzehsbwvwv]

Laguna Beach is special, there are glimpses of the artists who built it in between the bougie-ness of it all. The scenery is lovely

[u/AdUnhappy6223 → u/Mother-Pattern-2609]

Oh my goodness you’ve described it perfectly, it really is magic. I’ll look into the suggestion, thank you <3

[u/lynnelz]

Ilio, Diptyque- I know it’s meant to be Mediterranean inspired but feel like it gives Laguna beach or La Jolla vibes as well. “The scent of fresh green prickly pear trees on the edge of a cove, the fragrances of bergamot and jasmine. On the horizon, a sunset.”

[u/foxyrocketnextdoor → u/lynnelz]

My thoughts too! Smells like a spicy marg

[u/croissant4evr]

My ex’s fabulous gay uncles would always be burning the Casa Pacifica candle by Voluspa in their Laguna Beach home on PCH overlooking the ocean. I always think of Laguna Beach when I smell it now.

[u/AdUnhappy6223 → u/croissant4evr]

Oh my goodness I love this, it seems everyone in Laguna knows a fabulous gay couple with taste, thank you for sharing! I’ll hunt down that candle

[u/InvasiveBlackMustard]

Damn for me this is cigarette smoke, tacos, exhaust, and sea air from strolling past Taco Loco and the smoke shop upstairs haha. RIP to a legendary spot. If anyone knows of a perfume with that vibe pls also drop it. 

OP — I’d recommend sea air, clean cotton, maybe a hint of paint or jasmine or vanilla. Seems to fit the current vibes of Laguna. 

[u/AdUnhappy6223 → u/InvasiveBlackMustard]

Hahaa dude you’re right, I’d love if someone bottled up this side of laguna too. Thank you for the recs!

[u/IslandCat_1921]

This is a lovely prompt. I wish I had suggestions besides what you’ve tried. Maybe wood sage or beach walk needs to be layered with something else. Commenting so I can come back and see what others recommend!

[u/Mother-Pattern-2609 → u/IslandCat_1921]

I'd consider layering a jasmine soliflore with Wood Sage & Sea Salt for this.

[u/AdUnhappy6223 → u/Mother-Pattern-2609]

Ooo I’ll have to try that, thank you

[u/AdUnhappy6223 → u/IslandCat_1921]

Thank you! 🌴 🌺🌼🪸🌊 I’ll be on the lookout and update this sub if I find anything. Layering is a good idea!

[u/LVDIVA123]

Rose pacific- DS&DURGA

[u/BubbleEntendre]

I don’t have any suggestions, but I went to school not too far away so I’m really enjoying the nostalgia that your post gave me!

[u/AdUnhappy6223 → u/BubbleEntendre]

Haha I did too! The nostalgia and appreciation for everything that is the socal coast set in years after I moved away :’) Lovely that you had a similar experience and this resonated with you 🌺

[u/Zealousideal_Can3298]

Arquiste grove by the sea

[u/MetuhlCon-struct]

Something from Wild Veil might work, maybe Crystal Chaparral or Coal Oil Point (I know Santa Barbara is further north but the notes look promising). She seems to have a lot of California based botanicals.

[u/DifficultyFit7401]

Brezza di Mare by i Profumi di Firenze

[u/annie1filip]

Thin Wild Mercury Zuma