The 2026 #4 Pizzeria in the USA Opens Its Second location in Laguna Beach
The wait is over for North Laguna locals: Truly Pizza has officially opened its second location at 320 N. Coast Hwy, right next to Urth Caffé and across from the Laguna Art Museum. The Dana Point original has spent the last couple of years collecting national accolades. This opening has been one of the more anticipated debuts on the coast.
The corner of PCH and Cliff Drive in North Laguna has seen a few lives. Old-timers remember it as John Madison’s Madison Square & Garden Café, a beloved neighborhood spot that defined the block for decades. More recently, 3 occupied the space, a fixture that held its own for years before closing. The space seats around 100 guests between a breezy dining room and open-air patio, serving as the perfect setup to align Truly Pizza’s vision with Laguna’s vibe.
Truly Pizza just took home top honors at the 2026 50 Top Pizza USA awards, climbing to No. 4 in the country (up from No. 9 last year).
The 2026 Pizza of the Year
Their Umami Mushroom pie, a white pizza with creamy onion and garlic sauce, smoked mozzarella, marinated roasted mushrooms, toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, green onion and bonito flakes, was named Pizza of the Year 2026, officially the best pizza in America.
The People Behind Truly Pizza
Truly Pizza is the work of serious talent. Donna Baldwin brings a background in Las Vegas hospitality. More importantly for locals, she has more than 20 years of life in Laguna Beach. “Bringing Truly Pizza to Laguna Beach feels like coming home,” she says. She is partnering with third-generation New York pizzaiolo John Arena of Metro Pizza fame. World Pizza Champion Chris Decker and James Beard-nominated pizzaiolo Michael Vakneen round out the team. That’s a lot of expertise in one kitchen, and it shows.
Why the Pizza Is Such a Big Deal
The Dana Point flagship earned the No. 9 spot on the 2025 50 Top Pizza USA list. It’s a national ranking that carries real weight in the pizza world. The location also took home Best Cheese Pizza at the 2024 International Pizza Expo and a Performance of the Year award. Arena was recognized with the 2025 Icon Award. The secret is a long, five-day fermented dough that develops tiny micro-blisters. This gives the crust that signature shatter-crisp edge and airy. Lighter than it looks, truly crave-worthy and not the crust you leave on the plate.
What to Order
If you’re new to Truly, a few pies have earned a loyal following. The Original Cheese is built on the square Sicilian crust using that same five-day dough. It has earned a following all its own. For something more straightforward, the round Our Cheese California with California red sauce and fresh mozzarella is a solid choice. It’s a reminder that the classics are classics for a reason. The Smoky Vodka is the one regulars rave about, layering vodka sauce, fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, stracciatella and a pistachio-lemon pesto (the pepperoni add-on is worth it). Even better, $1 from every Smoky Vodka pizza is donated to the Laguna Beach Policy & Community Foundation’s K9 Unit.
Beyond pizza, the menu includes California-forward salads, focaccia sandwiches, charcuterie boards and premium soft-serve to finish (think orange creamsicles and root beer floats). Truly’s peak-season sourcing leans into quality ingredients, elevating even the most simple, feel-good dishes to another level. Paired with a creative cocktail, bottle of wine or zero-proof brew, the menu delivers true SoCal taste.
Local Insights
Baldwin understands the rhythms of Laguna, and this new location is designed with the neighborhood in mind: walkable from the village, visible from PCH, with the kind of outdoor seating that makes it an easy stop on a weekend afternoon. Reservations are available and recommended, especially on weekends. Walk-ins are welcome, but this one has been anticipated for a while. The early buzz suggests waits will be real.
Summer Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Closed Tuesdays
Location: 320 N. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach
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