La Casa del Camino likes to think outside the box. It is an historic hotel opened in 1929 to serve the Hollyowood elite. Today it caters to a diverse crowd of actors, celebrities, tourists and locals, enjoying ocean views from many rooms. 10 rooms in the hotel were selected and decorated by designers in surfing themes in a co-branding effort called Casa Surf Project-and each of the special guest rooms sponsored by a major surf industry company such as Quiksilver, Billabong, Etnies and Lost, pays homage to surfing culture. But that's not what this story is about.

The hotel has a fabulous space for evening cocktails or luncheon meals called The Rooftop Lounge. Lunch is served daily with options such as salads, sandwiches and entrees, delicious cocktails, and award-winning views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and the mountain tops to of Laguna Beach to the east. You don't have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the dining of Chef Craig Connole, a Newport Beach native specializing in California Cuisine.

If you are looking to impress your guests from out of town, or just have lunch with friends, it is one of the top OC outdoor dining experiences. Location: 1289 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA. Call for reservations: (949) 497-2446. Read on!