LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA: TRAVEL GUIDE TO A PACIFIC COAST OASIS
If you’re in search of a long weekend destination on the West Coast, look no further than Laguna Beach. I’ve lived in California my entire life, and I firmly believe this is one of the prettiest beach destinations in the state. It sits tucked away on the Orange County coastline halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. Laguna Beach lines a small stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway that bursts with all the quintessential Southern California vibes. Below is my complete guide to Laguna Beach including the best beaches, hikes, viewpoints, hotels, boutiques, restaurants and more.
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Treasure Island Beach is my favorite in Laguna.
HOW MANY DAYS IN LAGUNA BEACH
THREE DAYS. Laguna Beach is small, and a long weekend is plenty of time to get a good taste of the city. It’s easy enough to pack three days with the best beaches, tide pool adventures, a sunset hike and few amazing restaurants. Add additional days if you plan to use Laguna Beach as a home base for day trips to Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
Sunny mornings poolside at the Montagee Laguna Beach. Location is absolutely amazing – the best beaches in the city are a short coastal stroll away.
WHEN TO VISIT LAGUNA BEACH
The weather in Southern California is pretty stellar year round. That said, below is the general rule of thumb for weather in Laguna Beach.
- MAY-SEPTEMBER (high season) – This is the busiest time of the year in Laguna Beach. School is out, the weather is warm and the beaches are a vibe. Hotel prices peak from May to September.
- MARCH, APRIL, OCTOBER (shoulder season) – Shoulder season weather is generally pretty good, and the summer crowds haven’t yet descended onto the beaches. Hotel prices are more affordable this time of the year, compared to summer months.
- NOVEMBER-FEBRUARY (low season) – Weather can be a bit chilly in winter with the possibility of rain, but there are still plenty of days of sunshine. The beaches tend to be less busy this time of the year, especially on weekdays.
Reading is my favorite beach activity.
LAGUNA BEACH TIPS
- BEACH PARKING – Check out the parking situation before heading to the coast. Some beaches have coastal access from the Pacific Coast Highway where parking is limited. If you plan to visit one of these beaches, arrive early in the morning to nab a parking spot.
- TIDES – Check tide schedule before heading to the beach. There a few places along the coast that are not safe and not accessible at high tide.
Afternoon hike up at the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
THINGS TO DO IN LAGUNA BEACH
ALISO AND WOOD CANYONS WILDERNESS PARK
More 30 miles of hiking trails overlook Laguna Beach and the Pacific Coast inside the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. The scenery is beautiful, and one of my favorite trails is to the Top of the World viewpoint via the Canyon Acres Trail.
CLEO STREET BEACH
The picturesque Cleo Street steps lead down to the sandy beach. This is a great place to hang in the sand – very quiet on weekdays. There are a handful of parking spots on Cleo Street.
CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK
Crystal Cove State Park has it all – 3.2 miles of picturesque beaches, tide pools, forest and wood canyons where visitors can surf, camp, hike and explore. The park sits right off the Pacific Coast Highway – beaches include Moro Beach, Los Trancos Beach, Reef Point, Pelican Point, Treasure Cove Beach and Little Treasure Cove.
MAIN BEACH LIFEGUARD TOWER
A retro lifeguard tower faces the Main Beach, right across from the Laguna Beach downtown village. The hexagonal-shaped structure is one of the city’s historic treasures, dating back to 1929.
PIRATE TOWER
Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach looks like a castle from a fairytale. It was built in 1926 as a private staircase for California Senator William Brown. The narrow 60-foot tall tower sits at the far end of Victoria Beach. It sprouts up from the rocks, made from cement with a conical shaped roof. Very picturesque, but should only be visited at low tide when conditions are safe.
SHOPPING
There are loads of shopping options in Laguna Beach – boutiques line the Pacific Coast Highway, and fill the streets of the city’s downtown village. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Amenah
- The Salt Horse
- Simple Laguna
- The Shop
- Tuvalu
TABLE ROCK BEACH
On a sunny day when the water is calm, this is one of the loveliest beaches in Laguna Beach. Table Rock Beach is split down the middle by a flat rock, surrounded by turquoise water. This place is a local favorite.
THOUSAND STEPS BEACH
Thousand Steps Beach is surrounded by sandstone cliffs, and home to a gnarly sea cave that visitors can walk through. Beach days might include tide pool adventures, sandy picnics, body surfing and body boarding. The beach is accessible via a steep staircase near 9th Street.
TREASURE ISLAND BEACH
This is my favorite spot in Laguna Beach. The sandy shore extends out to offshore rocks that are surrounded by calm water that is a deep shade of turquoise. It’s one of the prettiest views along this stretch of coastline. Treasure Island Beach is a two-minute walk from Montage Laguna Beach.
VICTORIA BEACH
The deep sandy shores of Victoria Beach make it an ideal destination for sunbathing, body boarding and stand up paddling. It’s an amazing spot for both sunrise and sunset – the colors are wild. Beach parking is sparse. It’s best to park along the Pacific Coast Highway and walk down.
Quintessential Southern California beach vibes.
LAGUNA BEACH HOTELS
For a solid moderate option in Laguna Beach, look no further than Capri Laguna. The bright white boutique property is a beachfront location that offers a mix of rooms and suites that are simple, clean and comfortable. It’s nothing fancy, but prices are more affordable than some of the larger resorts in the area. And the ocean views are lovely.
Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa boasts both character and history occupying buildings that date back to the 1920s. These mission-style structures have all the feels of the Spanish Mediterranean. There are 23 rooms and suites on property, all beautifully outfitted with bright patterns, Moorish tiles, eclectic ceramics and Martyn Lawrence Bullard fabrics. The hotel is located just north of Victoria Beach.
Montage Laguna Beach sits along the Pacific Coast Highway where guests have direct coastal access to some of the best beaches in town. The sprawling resort offers a range of guest rooms and villas outfitted with plush beds, ocean-facing terraces, deep soaking tubs and opulent marble bathrooms. Resort highlights include the iconic mosaic pool, live music in the evenings and The Loft restaurant. Treasure Island Beach is the best beach in Laguna, and it’s a two-minute coastal walk from the hotel. Location is amazing.
A quintessential Southern California day.
LAGUNA BEACH RESTAURANTS
THE CLIFF RESTAURANT
Popular oceanfront restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in the cliffs just north of Sleepy Hollow Beach. Menu is coastal California, and restaurant comes to life in the evenings with live music and fire pits. A great vibe, especially during the summer months.
COYOTE GRILL
This bar restaurant is a local favorite that serves classic Baja and Mexican dishes including enchiladas, chilaquiles, tostadas, tamales, tacos and burritos.
THE DECK
Waterfront restaurant on the beach that boasts a delicious cocktail and fresh seafood menu. Sunset dinner on a warm night is particularly lovely here.
DRIFTWOOD KITCHEN
Driftwood Kitchen is a beachfront restaurant that overlooks Sleepy Hollow Beach. The location is absolutely spectacular. Windows line the airy dining room that offers up beautiful ocean panoramas. I sat on the terrace at brunch and watched a pod of dolphins swim right up to the shoreline. The breakfast menu includes a variety of benedicts, pancakes, omelets and toasts, while the lunch and dinner specialities focus on fresh seafood.
GELATO PARADISO
Delicious gelato shop located on the edge of the downtown village. Gelato Paradiso boasts more than 20 gelato flavors, sorbets and seasons favorites including wild cherry, salted caramel, mint chocolate chip, banana, toasted almond, hazelnut, raspberry, mango and more.
LA SIRENA GRILL
This popular Mexican eatery has two locations in Laguna Beach. Menu includes six varieties of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas. All dishes are fresh, sustainable and humane.
THE LOFT
Absolutely wonderful upscale restaurant located on property at the Montage Laguna Beach. Sunset dinner on the terrace is one of the best dining experiences in the city. Seasonal dinner menu highlights include oysters, focaccia, brown butter prawns, grilled branzino and diver scallops.
LOST PIER CAFE
Order fresh seafood at the Lost Pier Cafe window, and then grab one of the beachside picnic tables. Menu highlights include the lobster roll, fish and chips and fish tacos.
NICK’S LAGUNA BEACH
This is a popular local spot, but they have several locations throughout Southern California. Menu offerings include the warm butter cake, shrimp taquitos, fried chicken, fried chicken sandwich and veggie burger.
REBEL OMAKASE
At this Michelin Guide omakase restaurant, guests embark on a two-hour pre-fixed journey of 19 courses based on raw fish and shellfish. Reservations at Rebel Omakase are a must.
RYE GOODS
A woman-owned organic bakery that is a local favorite for morning coffee, fresh breads and baked goods. Rye Goods is located in the downtown village.
SELANNE STEAK TAVERN
Selanne Steak Tavern is an award-winning restaurant that serves a delicious variety of steaks, chops, seafood and poultry paired with signature bordelaise, bearnaise and peppercorn sauces. Reservations here are a must.
Treasure Island Beach.
GET TO LAGUNA BEACH
Laguna Beach is a popular drive destination for Southern California, located approximately 50 miles from Los Angeles and 70 miles from San Diego. For visitors flying in for the weekend, Orange County’s John Wayne Airport is just 15 miles from Laguna Beach.
Gelato Paradiso is the best treat in town.
GET AROUND LAGUNA BEACH
A car is pretty essential in Laguna Beach. The city is small, but the beaches, hikes, restaurants and hotels are spread out along the coast. That said, if your plans are to relax poolside and at the beach 24/7, a car isn’t necessary if you’re staying at Montage Laguna Beach.
Best to visit the beaches on the weekdays when there is plenty of parking and no crowds.
I popped into The Shop and found the cutest ring. Loved all of their jewelry!
