Laguna Beach California
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This picturesque little seaside village began as an art colony in the early 1900’s. Now, a century later, art festivals, galleries and the art museum still draw visitors from all over the world.
This video will give you a little taste of Laguna...
With nearly 7 miles of spectacular coastline and more than 30 unique coves and beaches, there is much for everyone to enjoy in Laguna Beach California, including snorkeling, diving, skim boarding, surfing, tide pooling, playing beach volleyball, sunbathing, picnicking and swimming.
The Beaches And Coves
Where Laguna Canyon Road meets Pacific Coast Highway (or Highway 1), is a very busy T shaped intersection. This faces Main Beach, complete with waves, volleyball and basketball courts, a historical lifeguard tower, a playground and restrooms.
Unfortunately, there’s not much parking to speak of. Most people find parking on the streets at a meter, or walk further from the neighborhoods where you can park for free if you find a place. But while Main Beach is convenient to the town (you can shop or see a movie, then sit on the beach with your ice cream cone), there are many other less crowded and lovelier beaches with no traffic noise.
Towards the northern end of Laguna Beach California is my personal favorite: Crescent Bay. This is a good body surfing beach, but the waves break close to shore. Skim boarders love the sloping beach at the southern end of the cove and it’s great fun to watch them. If you turn on Crescent Bay Drive off of Highway 1 you can access the beach from a staircase at Circle Way.
Crescent Bay and other nearby coves popular for snorkeling and scuba diving are part of an ecological reserve, so please don’t remove anything natural from the water or beaches.
Further south is Heisler Park along Cliff Drive. There is a gorgeous walk along the top of the bluff on a path overlooking the coves. There are restrooms, lawn bowling, picnic tables and spectacular views.
Continuing south from Laguna Main Beach is Aliso Creek County Beach. This is a large beach with a fishing pier, restrooms, lifeguards and a snack bar. Also fire rings. They do have a metered parking lot.
In South Laguna there is 1000 Steps Beach in Three Arch Bay. Beware, as the next day after climbing those steps back from the beach, your calves may be sore. The steps are off of Highway 1 across from 9th Street. A nice surfing beach.Further south towards Dana Point, is Salt Creek Beach Park. They have a metered parking lot accessed from Ritz Carlton Drive. They provide restrooms, showers, volleyball and a large, grassy park. A path to the south of Ritz Carlton Drive goes along the top of the bluff above Salt Creek Beach, through the hotel grounds and providing fantastic views.
Besides those beaches mentioned above, there are many other small, secluded and beautiful coves in Laguna Beach California. They can be reached via staircases from the street or waterfront hotels, but there are no public facilities.
Art Festivals In Laguna
There are three major art festivals in Laguna Beach, and all three take place all summer long, making it a great time to enjoy both the beach and some art.These three big ones are the Festival of the Arts, Art Affair and the Sawdust Festival.
More about Laguna art festivals
Where To Stay
From summer vacation rentals in quaint cottages and beach houses, to modest hotels, bed and breakfasts and world-renowned resorts, there is a wide variety of lodging options to choose from in this charming Southern California beach town.
If you are a fan of Best Western hotels, there is now only one, the Las Brisas Spa Hotel. It's across the street from the beach and the Surf and Sand. The Best Western Laguna Reef Inn is now The Travelodge Laguna Beach. It's also across the street from the beach and across from the Montage.
Four waterfront hotels in Laguna Beach California include:
- Montage Resort Laguna Beach
- Pacific Edge Hotel (previously Vacation Village Laguna Beach)
- Surf And Sand Laguna
- Hotel Laguna -- the white historic landmark right across from the village.
Click here to see more choices on the Laguna Beach hotel page.
Dining
Laguna Beach California has no shortage of fabulous restaurants, with a variety of atmospheres and menus.
Just to name a very few, the Cottage is a popular breakfast spot, Mozambique has exotic and amazing decor, while Las Brisas has a swell happy hour overlooking the ocean.
More on Las Brisas Laguna Beach
For a casual, quick bite near the beach, even late at night, a superb find is Taco Loco. More on Taco Loco Laguna Beach
For the best coffee house in Laguna, check out the Koffee Klatch. More on the Koffee Klatch Laguna Beach.
Other popular Laguna Beach restaurants include:
- Maro Wood Grill -- Argentinian food
1915 South Coast Highway - Nick's -- American
440 South Coast Highway - Studio -- at the Montage
30801 Coast Highway - La Serena Grill -- casual Mexican
30862 Coast Highway - 230 Forest Avenue Restaurant & Bar -- mixed American, Californian, seafood and Asian
230 Forest Avenue
Getting There
Laguna Beach California is located in Southern Orange County between Newport Beach and Corona del Mar to the north, and Dana Point to the south. You can reach it from the Interstate 5 or 405 south by taking the 133 Laguna Canyon Road exit. It’s about a 15 minute drive through countryside and canyon to the village.
Alternatively, you can enter the town from Pacific Coast Highway coming from the north or south. The closest airport to Laguna Beach with commercial flights is the John Wayne Orange County airport in Santa Ana.
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