How The Ranch at Laguna Beach Empowers You to Eat Sustainably

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By Ellie Huizenga • Posted on Jul 12, 2020

Sustainable eating is about choosing foods that are good for the environment and for our bodies. According to the 2019 EAT-Lancet Commission, a global shift toward more plant-based foods is necessary for the health of the earth and the health of the world’s growing population.

Sustainability in the hospitality industry, particularly around food waste proves to be a huge problem. According to Eco-Business,

“about 25% of all food that passes through hotel kitchens is thrown out as food waste, and for every dinner the hotel serves, about 350 grams is binned.”

On top of the staggering amount of food wasted in the hospitality industry, food sustainability needs to take into account many more factors. It needs to be aware of where the food is being sourced from, how much energy is required from planting to plate, and who is harvesting the food.

When it comes to food sustainability, Kind Traveler Hotel, The Ranch at Laguna Beach empowers you to eat and travel green. With three places on-site to find sustainable food options, plus its own garden, The Ranch at Laguna Beach is redefining how the hospitality industry can implement food sustainability.

Your safety is the top priority at The Ranch in Laguna Beach. They have officially re-opened with the Clean + Safe Certification from the California Hotel + Lodging Association with extensive wellbeing practices in place. The safety seal of approval provided to hotels which complete a rigorous 32-point checklist of protocols for guests, employees and cleaning procedures. The certification provides peace of mind for travelers by outlining strict safety guidelines to for hotels. You can learn more about safety protocols taken at The Ranch in Laguna Beach to ensure you next kind visit is safe and enjoyable.

The Ranch at Laguna Beach is one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World (the only one in California). This award is given only for the highest standards in authenticity, enrichment, and dedication to preserving our planet’s natural and cultural heritage.

Nestled within the magical Aliso and Wood Canyons in the heart of Orange County, this Travel + Leisure 2019 World's Best Award winner is committed to being at the forefront of sustainability within every detail of the hotel and its operations. They have changed how its property uses water (all reclaimed) and have their own way to turn glass bottles into sand through its innovative Bottles To Bunkers program.

Even further, this partnered Kind Traveler hotel offers guests exclusive rates and perks to enjoy its stunning eco beauty upon a $10 nightly donation to local charity Ocean Institute in neighboring town, Dana Point, California (or to any charity on Kind Traveler). Your donation will help support local ocean conservation initiatives.

It is undeniable, choosing to stay at The Ranch at Laguna Beach is choosing to be kind to the planet.

BEN'S PANTRY

You will find Ben's Pantry, one of the onsite restaurants at The Ranch at Laguna Beach overlooking the beautiful Laguna mountains and golf course. This grab and go restaurant features light California fare with the best seasonal ingredients. In the summer evenings, you can find live music by local artists. It is the ideal place to sit and enjoy a local, niche-craft beer or Coastal California wine.

Before your morning beach walk, this is the perfect place to grab a coffee and sample one of its extraordinary daily-fresh baked pastries. Plus, you don’t want to miss out on its vegetarian breakfast burrito. From sunrise to sunset, enjoy the views of the mountains of Laguna with friends and family.

THE LOST PIER CAFE

Located on Aliso Beach, owned by The Ranch at Laguna Beach, Lost Pier Cafe is serving up iconic Pacific ocean views. On top of being on the beach, all ingredients from the Lost Pier Cafe are locally and sustainably sourced. Go for a swim in the ocean and then refuel at this beachy hang out open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You will not want to miss its avocado sandwich for lunch. Flip flops encouraged.

Plus, in a new initiative, The Ranch at Laguna Beach has partnered with Pathwater to provide recyclable water bottles for all guest rooms and at Ben’s Pantry and Lost Pier Café. The water is purified by reverse osmosis and packaged in a naturally beautiful vessel that is aluminum, lightweight, and infinitely recyclable. The bottles are made and filled in the USA.

HARVEST RESTAURANT

The Harvest restaurant embodies all that is The Ranch at Laguna Beach. Sustainably sourced with an amazing view, this local restaurant is designed to celebrate the beauty of the Aliso Canyon. Seasonal and creative recipes fill the menu, integrated with fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables grown from their own Garden. Be sure to order the brussel sprouts as an appetizer to share.

The Harvest bar boasts local beers and wines. With over 18 local beers on tap - this bar is the place to be for travelers and locals alike.

What they don’t source from its own garden, is sourced locally.

Harvest Restaurant has been moved outdoors to accommodate for California's mandate as of July 1, 2020. Reservations are required. All menus are single use and printed on recycled paper with physical distancing observed.

HARVEST ON-SITE GARDEN

One of the most amazing parts of The Ranch at Laguna Beach is the on-site garden. Located at the edge of the property at the far end of the golf course, the Harvest Garden is dedicated to organic farming. The Harvest Restaurant uses seasonal ingredients from the garden and you will often find innovative drink specials based on what is growing in the garden.

Tours of the garden are offered on Saturday mornings, so if this is something that interests you be sure to ask when you check-in.

Learn more about how you can book a stay at The Ranch and Laguna Beach and give back to local charity, The Ocean Institute, helping to advance local ocean conservation initiatives, on Kind Traveler.