The Sawdust Art Festival is one of the most distinctly Laguna Beach things you can do in summer — an independently run show featuring over 200 local artists, live music, demonstrations, and handmade work you won't find anywhere else. It runs daily through the season, which means it fits into all kinds of schedules: a morning visit before lunch, a full afternoon, or an evening stop on the way to another event.

Piatti is on Ocean Avenue in Downtown Laguna Beach, a short walk or trolley ride from the festival grounds on Laguna Canyon Road. The kitchen does housemade pasta and Italian dishes, the wine list is solid, and the pacing of a meal here adapts well to however your day is structured — whether you're eating before the festival, after it, or working it into a longer Laguna evening.

Timing

When to Plan Your Meal

The Sawdust Art Festival opens at 10am daily and runs until 10pm most evenings, which gives you flexibility that a ticketed show like the Pageant doesn't. There's no hard curtain to plan around — but a few scenarios are worth thinking through.

Your plan Suggested reservation time
Lunch, then afternoon at the festival 11:30am – 12:30pm
Festival first, then dinner 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Dinner before Pageant of the Masters (8:30pm show) 5:00pm – 5:30pm
Happy hour + light bites before the festival 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Weekend or peak summer night Book earlier; evenings fill fast

If you're combining Sawdust with Pageant of the Masters on the same evening, build your schedule this way: dinner at Piatti around 5:00–5:30pm, then walk the festival grounds, then head to the Pageant at 8:30pm. It's a full evening, but the timing works if you start early enough.

Getting There

Parking & the Trolley

Piatti has no dedicated lot. The good news: you only need to park once. Leave the car somewhere central, walk to dinner, then take the trolley or walk to the festival. On busy summer weekends this is genuinely the better approach — driving between venues in Laguna during festival season adds time, not convenience.

  1. ACT V Lot + free trolley Park at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road and take the free Laguna Beach trolley into downtown and toward the festival grounds. The most reliable option on busy nights. Check current schedules before your visit as they run seasonally.
  2. Glenneyre Street structure A short walk from Ocean Avenue. Often has availability when street parking is gone. Good fallback if the ACT V Lot trolley isn't running yet when you arrive.
  3. Public lots near Ocean Avenue Several throughout downtown. Check posted hours and rates — some lots have evening maximums that work in your favor.
  4. Metered street parking Ocean Avenue and surrounding streets. Competitive on peak nights, but worth a pass if you're arriving early for lunch or a weekday dinner.

Around Piatti

Make an Evening of It

The Sawdust Festival is the anchor, but the neighborhood around Piatti gives you plenty to work with before or after your meal.

  • Sawdust Art Festival Over 200 local Laguna Beach artists, live music, art demonstrations, and handmade work across all mediums. Runs July 4 – August 31, 2026. Budget at least 90 minutes to walk it properly.
  • Festival of Arts A juried outdoor show running the same season on the Pageant grounds. Worth combining with a Sawdust visit if you're spending a full day in Laguna.
  • Pageant of the Masters The iconic live tableau performance runs nightly at 8:30pm through September 4. Tickets sell out weeks in advance — if you have them, plan dinner at Piatti first at 5:00–5:30pm.
  • Main Beach About 500 feet from Piatti. A natural first stop if you're arriving from out of town — walk the beach, then come in for lunch or dinner.
  • Laguna Art Museum Near Main Beach and the downtown arts district. A good pairing with an early lunch if you want to ground your Laguna day in some context before the festival.
  • Forest Avenue Independent galleries, boutiques, and local shops a short walk from the restaurant. Good for a pre-dinner browse if you're arriving from downtown.
  • Heisler Park A scenic oceanfront park north of Main Beach — a nice way to stretch before or after dinner if the evening is mild.

Before You Go

Tips for a Smooth Day

Book your reservation as soon as your festival plans are set. Friday and Saturday evenings in July and August fill well in advance.
Tell your server roughly what time you want to wrap up — it helps them pace the meal without you watching the clock.
Happy hour runs daily at Piatti. If you're arriving from out of town and want to decompress before the festival, it's a relaxed way to start.
The ACT V Lot trolley is genuinely useful on peak summer weekends. Check the Laguna Beach trolley schedule before you go.
If you're combining Sawdust with the Pageant on the same night, start dinner no later than 5:30pm. It's a full evening — give yourself the time.
Laguna Beach evenings cool off after sunset, especially near the water. Bring a light layer if you're planning to walk after dinner.

FAQ

Common Questions

What restaurants are near Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach?

Piatti Laguna Beach on Ocean Avenue is a convenient option — it's a short walk or free trolley ride from the festival grounds, takes reservations, and serves housemade pasta and Italian dishes with a full wine and cocktail program. For a midday visit, aim for lunch before arriving at the festival. For an evening visit, a 5:30–6:30pm dinner reservation works well.

How close is Piatti to Sawdust Art Festival?

Piatti is on Ocean Avenue in Downtown Laguna Beach. The Sawdust Art Festival is on Laguna Canyon Road, roughly 10–15 minutes away on foot or one stop on the free Laguna Beach trolley. On busy summer weekends, parking once and using the trolley is easier than driving between the two.

Should I eat before or after Sawdust Art Festival?

Either works. Most visitors prefer lunch or an early dinner before the festival so they can browse without rushing. If you're combining Sawdust with Pageant of the Masters on the same evening, plan dinner first at 5:00–5:30pm, then the festival, then the show.

Does Piatti take reservations during Sawdust Art Festival season?

Yes. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. The 2026 Sawdust Art Festival runs July 4 through August 31. Book in advance once your festival plans are set.

Where should I park for Sawdust Art Festival?

The ACT V Lot at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road offers free parking with a trolley connection into downtown — useful if you're combining the festival with dinner in the village. The Sawdust Festival also has its own paid lot adjacent to the grounds. On peak summer weekends, arriving early or using the trolley will save time.

Is there a happy hour at Piatti near Sawdust Art Festival?

Yes. Piatti Laguna Beach offers daily happy hour with discounted drinks and bites. It's a good option if you're arriving from out of town and want a relaxed stop before or after walking the Sawdust grounds.

Attending Sawdust This Summer?

Reservations fill quickly during the 2026 season (July 4 – August 31). Book early.

Reserve a Table at Piatti