For the past few years, La Union or Elyu (LU) as popularly called by the millennial has become one of the favorite destination at the Northern Luzon particularly the rise of popularity of San Juan as surfing meca of the North. The completion of Expressways that made the transport faster and easier also contributes to bringing the town into a massive summer goal destination. So here are some of the favorite hang out place in the town.
S A N J U A N, L A U N I O N
Location
San Juan is a second class municipality of La Union in Ilocos Region (Region I) which uses Ilocano and Tagalog as their native language. From Manila, any public buses bound to Vigan or Laoag will come across the highway of San Juan. The town will come first before you reach the province capital of San Fernando. The trip takes 6 hours before but can be shorten to 4 hours especially when you ride at night where traffic is less. If you will come from San Fernando, there are jeepneys coming back and forth that will pass by San Juan with a minimum fare.
U r b i z t o n d o
Urbiztondo is where the most famous surfing beach is located. Most of surfing gigs and competitions happen here so it is not a surprise that it became the center of hotels and food hubs. It also became popular not only for surfer enthusiasts but also with those who want to just chill and party. The main Urbiztondo beach where most of the events happen runs almost 1 km long and has brown to black sand with rocky to coarse texture.
Schools that offers surfing lessons scattered along the shore.
With the waves of San Juan, swimming is not encouraged.
Urbiztondo beach are busy most of the time but if you want a quiet moment, the best time is to be there early in the morning. You can still catch some few beach goers and surfers but it's not as crowded as the usual time.
The far end of the beach has a rocky bed and unforgiving tides. But it was a nice spot to have the whole view of Urbiztondo beach.
Urbiztondo was also a nice sunset spot.
WHERE TO EAT?
San Juan is also becoming a food goal destination. Some of those I have tasted didn't left something extraordinary in my taste buds so I guess it's popularity are mostly because of the meal presentation and the laid back vibes of food places. I think with today's generation, people prefers IG worthy meal and cool hang-out places than the food taste alone.
S u r f S h a c k
Surf Shack is a bar and grill restaurant located at 279 Urbiztondo Rd., McArthur Highway, San Juan, La Union. It is just across the Urbiztondo beach so it became an instant favorite hangout place of foodies and surfers. The "Surf" which means waves and "Shack" as small hut, defines the name. Though the restaurant is not that big, it cannot be considered as small hut. One of their crowd magnet is the band gigs from time to time.
We got there for a snack and ordered a pasta and their famous buffalo wings. The taste was decent. My husband loved the wings. With the price, I find the servings small. Their menu offers pizzas, tacos, different chicken meals, pasta, french fries and more. Their meals were quite pricey but good for a try.
T a g p u a n
Just a walk from Surf Shack, along McArthur Highway, Urbiztondo, La Union is another popular choice of food eatery. The Tagpuan or "meeting place" in English is a simple eatery where you can indulge on a classic Filipino cuisine favorites where they serve rice bowls in affordable cost. Classic favorites like Tapa, Pares, Bagnet, Tokwa't Baboy, Mami and more were served here with the meal price ranging from P50.00 - P120.00. The eatery is located beside a road, with 4 small sets of tables and chairs so can't accommodate a lot of guests but still a favorite tambayan of San Juan beach hoppers and surfers. (Sorry, didn't got a photo of our experience).
The Great Northwest Philippines Travel Stop and Viewing Deck
Well I know, the name is quite long but this particular place is a location of several popular food haven like El Union Coffee and Makai Bowls. It is located along McArthur Highway, Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union and houses at least 7 restaurants and favorite hang out place of foodies and IG photographer enthusiasts. The 2-storey structure is made of woods that provides the charming and rustic vibes with the view deck overlooking the beach of San Juan.
1 | E l U n i o n C o f e e
If it sounds familiar, maybe because they are really known in La Union for their coffee. This small restaurant spot is one of the favorite hang out place in Urbiztondo. Their boho and cozy style cafe is usually full since it has only few tables and can only accommodate 10-20 persons at a time. And true to their names, it was said that they offer some of the best coffee drinks in San Juan.
We came here because of my bro-in-law's photo shoot (in the background), so we never got a chance to try their coffee to avoid any interruption. Only the s'mores that they used as props. Lol!
2 | M a k a i B o w l s
Makai Bowls is located on the second floor facing the beach. They offer acai-based smoothies bowls and healthy drinks that purely 100% fruits with no dairy and artificial sweeteners. This kind of meal had become an instant hit especially to those beach bum body conscious and the meal presentations are colorful and IG worthy. Their cool little space was also something people crave to.
F l o t s a m & J e t s a m K i t c h e n b a r
Flotsam and Jetsam is one of the most popular hostel located along McArthur Highway, Urbiztondo, La Union. Their colorful backpacking style rooms and hippie laid back beach ambiance made them one of the most sought accommodation in the area. Though we never got a chance to try their room, we got a chance to grab a bite of their meal in their kitchen bar.
The kitchen bar is on the back of the hostel facing the beach. Most of their guests and even the outsiders stays here a lot to chill and drink. They have sand mattes and chairs that usually gets full at around noon until night.
Most of their rice meals cost around P250.00. The taste was fine but it will definitely make you full since it has a side dish of egg and vegetable.
The shore along where the Flotsam & Jetsam is located was quite big. And there was not much hotels/accommodations built around the area yet so the beach was not as crowded as the main Urbiztondo beach.
WHERE TO STAY
Both Kahuna and San Juan Surf Resort are located along the main beach of Urbiztondo.
There are still a lot to explore in La Union and would definitely come back for more. Elyu, I'm coming back to you!
There are a lot of rising tourist spots in the nearby towns where you can do for side trips if you are in San Juan. If you want to see it, you can check it here.
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