Moss Point, Moss Cove and
Moss Beach all sit overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach
at an historic spot with a home once owned by Colonel House who
was an advisor to President Wilson.
Moss Point Beach is a secluded beach
with a very small cove and surf conditions not conducive to swimming. At low
tide Moss Point Beach still doesn't hold many people. It is located north of Rockledge and south of
Wood's Cove. The few people who visit the beach are local residents
mostly, plus divers. Popular
activities include skin diving, scuba diving, and exploring the tide pools
during low tide.
The surrounding rocks and rocky bottom provide continual hazards to
swimmers. During large swells, the cove may experience large
surf and strong rip currents that makes this a beach swimmers
probably should avoid.
Like most other Laguna
Beach beaches, Moss Cove is not easily accessible, due to a lack
of parking spaces. The street on which it sits truly feels
like its from an earlier era. That's because the home on the
hilltop has been preserved by a family that knew about its
historical value and pledge to purchase and maintain the house
of Mr. House.
A plaque on the guard gate
of the property is inscribed with these words:
Historic Moss Point
Brimming with history, Moss Point was the home that Colonel
Edward House built as a summer residence for his family in 1917
where it has been virtually unknown to Laguna residents seen
from the highway and thus has never become a landmark. Yet it
was almost the first Western White House. Colonel House was as
advisor to President Wilson, who visited there in 1919 when
touring the west seeking support.
The lovely old house, surrounded by two acres of land, seemed
destined for the bulldozers and eventual high-rise buildings
until rescued by Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mortland. They purchased
the property and plan to maintain it for its historical value
and natural beauty.
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