Meet Phelton Calhoun Jr | The General Manager and Visit Laguna Beach Board of Directors

We had the good fortune of connecting with Phelton Calhoun Jr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Phelton, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Not necessarily starting my on business but rather partnering with my boss and good friend to create a better experience for all whether it be in hotels and restaurants. The feeling behind having more of say and impact on what you do and how it shows it’s amazing. You take everything you have learned with your own sense of style and apply it. You really never stop learning and that’s what makes it so worthwhile.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think that what sets me apart from others is that I won’t take no. You need to be able to try your ideas, see if they work. Thats how great things come into fruition. I love trying new things especially ideas that others may not see a point to. It’s what makes this line of work fun, it’s never the same, the people you meet, floe of day week, year always changing, and you need to be able to adapt. There’s always challenges along the way when you want to get to where you are. I wouldn’t say it was easy to do but I had to have a lot of patience, a lot of 16hrs days, making sure I had a work life balance and keeping the body and mind healthy. I learned that success wasn’t always measured by what awards you received or how many, but by the value you brought to the table, how much weight a name could carry and the impression you leave. My favorite quote that I use on all my emails “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.” — Albert Einstein

I want the world to know my name is Phelton and I’m coming for you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Laguna Beach is such a cozy town that being from D.C it’s definitely a change but one that’s needed. The vibes, people, sense of calm. I would definitely bring them to our Rooftop Lounge here at La Casa del Camino! It has the BEST view of Catalina Island, the beach, ocean, sunsets, simply breathtaking. Both lunch and brunch would be great options. Penguin cafe is the coziest 1940s style diner that is my favorite breakfast spot in Laguna Beach. For Music I would say Skyloft and Mozambique have great music venues to just sit and vibe. For hanging out Avilas El Ranchito most definitely, very local spot everyone goes to as well as Sand Piper who also has music, darts and pool. Sigh seeing the Crystal cove area is absolutely beautiful, top of the world as the name says you can see it all from a great hike up. My favorite Whale watching tour is Captain Daves in Dana Point! Everyone I have sent down has had the best time and pictures to share when they come back to the hotel. Now if we are talking Surfing, Laguna Surf and Sport has a good friend who’s an instructor there. I learned a lot about skimboarding and down to try that! Now if it’s during the festival seasons Pageant of the Masters is a must as well as the Saw Dust Festival.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Working with Sheraton, IHG, Private Boutique Hotels, ACCOR, Plan Do See America and Langham Hospitality Group I have come to work with so many groups and individuals who I’m grateful are still part of my life and some who have passed on which will never be forgotten. Each of these groups have given me great advice, guidance, become friends. Anywhere I go I make sure I make connections within the organization and out, local businesses, at mixers influencers, celebrities, authors. You never know who you will meet and the impact it could have. One recommended a great book called the four agreements which I am currently reading. My family and all they have done for me and put up with, I do it for them, so that my kids see and know that no matter what, you can still come out on top.

Website: lacasadelcamino.com

Instagram: @lacasahotellb