5 Last-Minute Green Labor Day Trips
If you ran out of time to make plans for the Labor Day weekend, it’s not too late to get away for the holiday and enjoy the last days of summer. Earth911 compiled this list of eco-friendly Labor Day trips – all within driving distance of major cities across the country.
West Coast: Laguna Beach, California
Casa Laguna Inn and Spa, Laguna Beach, Calif. Photo: Casa Laguna
- Distance from Los Angeles: 51 miles
- Distance from San Diego: 73 miles
- Where to stay: Casa Laguna Inn and Spa
Casa Laguna Inn and Spa boasts not only views of the Pacific Ocean, but also the distinction of being the first hotel in Laguna Beach to join the Green Hotel Association of America.
An active member of the Slow Food movement since 2002, the inn sources ingredients for its gourmet breakfast locally – from its own herb and vegetable garden and the Laguna Beach Farmers Market.
To reduce energy use, the B&B has installed double-paned windows, compact fluorescent bulbs and an on-demand water heating system for its rooms.
Casa Laguna has also joined the Surfrider Foundation’s Rise Above Plastics program, using refillable pump containers for soaps and shampoos, rather than single-use bottles.
The B&B is offering a special Labor Day package that includes free champagne, souvenir champagne flutes and automatic entry into a raffle.
What to do: Expand your art collection with a visit to Laguna’s many art galleries, sip some Chardonnay and Zinfandel at local wineries or grab your sunscreen and head to the beach. While gray whale watching season doesn’t kick off until December, you can still see dolphins, seals, sea lions and the occasional blue whale on a boating excursion this time of year.
