Remembering Barbara Diamond, a revered Laguna Beach reporter
Over several decades, local journalist Barbara Diamond connected the people of Laguna Beach through her writing.
Diamond died in her home on Diamond Street on Feb. 10 at the age of 88.
The recurring themes that have emerged since Diamond’s passing indicate how many lives she touched in the community. “Irreplaceable,” “one-of-a-kind,” and “Laguna Beach icon” are just some of the terms used to characterize what she meant to Laguna Beach.
“She could have gone anywhere that she wanted to, and she wanted to be in Laguna,” said Shaena Stabler, owner, editor and publisher of Stu News Laguna, where Diamond last worked. “She wanted to report on and support the community through her writing, and she really did give the gift of herself 40 years over because she was super talented, and she chose to stay local.
“I love that, and I love that I got to be a part of her journey. I’m so sad that she’s gone. She was so special, and I can’t imagine life or Laguna without her.”
Diamond’s work appeared in multiple publications in the city, including the Coastline Pilot and the Laguna News-Post, where she wrote columns called “Village Views,” “Dana Pointers,” and “Niguel Nuggets.”
Her career began with the San Francisco Examiner, initially as a copy girl and then in its advertising department.
John Canalis, an assistant managing editor for the L.A. Times, recounted stories from working with Diamond while she was writing for the Coastline Pilot, which was part of Times Community News.
He noted that she was a known commodity in town. It became apparent when the staff would meet for coffee in downtown Laguna Beach to plan the paper.
“Everybody knew her,” Canalis said. “She was a celebrity. We would sit there for an hour, and 20 people would come up to her, at least.”
Canalis also said that Diamond was proud of making inroads for female journalists in the media industry.
“She was very proud of the fact that she was a trailblazer for female journalists,” Canalis said. “She would tell stories about going to the San Francisco Press Club as a young reporter and having to be accompanied by her husband because those were the rules back then, and so I think that she really helped break down some barriers in California journalism when she was in San Francisco.”
Laguna Beach City Council members of both the past and the present remembered Diamond for her constant presence at meetings, but also the relationships that were formed throughout the years.
In 2018, former Laguna Beach mayor Kelly Boyd brought forth a proclamation to honor Diamond during the last of his 16 years of service on the dais.
“We became really good friends over the years, and she never hesitated to call me when she wanted to talk to me, whether it would be on the record or off the record,” Boyd said. “We used to have a few good laughs on the phone together, but she’s just a wonderful woman, and well, well respected in the community.”
The following year, Diamond was set to serve as the grand marshal in the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade. The festivities were canceled due to rain, so Diamond led the parade in 2020.
Sandi Werthe, the parade’s entry chairwoman, said that Diamond’s head was “full of everything in the city,” and noted her tireless work ethic.
“She would be everywhere,” Werthe said. “Memorial Day and Labor Day, they have pancake breakfasts at Heisler Park, and she would be down there and talking to people and making notes and so forth. Everywhere she went, she had her notebook and pen in hand.”
More plans are in the works to honor Diamond’s contributions to the Laguna Beach community, Mayor Bob Whalen said. The agenda for the Laguna Beach City Council meeting on Tuesday night included an item of extraordinary business with plans to adopt a proclamation in Diamond’s honor.
“The community plans to raise funds for a Barbara Diamond Press Chair that will be located in the council chambers where she sat for several decades covering the City Council,” Whalen wrote in a message.
Whalen described Diamond as “always hard-working, professional and thorough in her reporting,” but he also commented on her love for baseball, which at times led to conversations about the Angels, Dodgers and Giants during breaks at council meetings.
“In another life, I think she would have been a major league manager and a good one,” Whalen added.
Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold, a former chief executive of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, called Diamond a “consummate professional,” adding that the revered local reporter removed her opinion from the pieces she wrote.
“It’s not that we always agreed on what she had to write, or the position that she took in her writing,” Hornbuckle-Arnold said. “We did agree often. I don’t know that I always agreed with some of her positions, but I always believed that she was fair.”
The Barbara Diamond Excellence in Journalism Award is offered through the Laguna Beach High School scholarship fund. Those wishing to donate can send contributions to LBHSSF, P.O. Box 1569, Laguna Beach, CA 92652. Donors are asked to include “Barbara Diamond Excellence in Journalism Award” on their check’s memo line.
Diamond was preceded in death by her son, Paul, and her grandson, Brian. She is survived by two sons, Kevin Diamond of Sausalito and Kenny Diamond of Corte Madero, and her daughter-in-law Chris Diamond. She leaves behind six grandchildren: Julie, Scott Diamond, Kaitlyn Diamond, Kelsey Diamond, Lindsey Diamond and Nicholas Diamond, and a great-grandson, Tyler.
Additionally, Diamond is survived by nephews Jeff Hadlich of Laguna Beach, John Hadlich of Redmond (Ore.) and Joel Hadlich of Huntington Beach, niece Janine Conners of Dana Point, and sister-in-law Patsy Hadlich of Dana Point.
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