Laguna Beach in southern Orange County, California, is a beautiful coastal destination. I had to budget my time careful because of such a diverse choice of sandy beaches, art galleries, restaurants and unique attractions. Go on a weekend trip and visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, explore the Laguna Art Museum, and many other great attractions. If you are planning a family vacation, take the kids to see the tide pools along the coastline, go on a self-guided public art tour, ride on the Laguna Beach Trolley, and see a show at the Laguna Playhouse.
Best Time to Visit Laguna Beach, CA
Go fromMarch through October if you want the weather to be perfect. Winters are mild and peaceful.
How to Get to Laguna Beach, CA
- If you are traveling by car: Laguna Beach is located off Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway), about 1 hour south of Los Angeles and 1.5 hours north of San Diego.
- By Air: The closest airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA), 25 minutes away. LAX and Long Beach Airport are other nearby options.
- By Transit: OCTA buses and the Laguna Beach Trolley provide local transport. Rideshare and limited Amtrak access via Irvine Station are available.
Where to Stay in Laguna Beach, CA
- Montage Laguna Beach – Luxury resort
- Surf & Sand Resort – Oceanfront rooms
- The Ranch at Laguna Beach – Rustic canyon resort
Best Things to Do in Laguna Beach, CA
1. Hike, Swim, and Explore at Crystal Cove State Park
Rating: ★★★★★
Crystal Cove State Park is one of California’s largest remaining open spaces and natural coastlines and one of the top Laguna Beach attractions. Located between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove features beautiful sandy beaches, shimmering tidal pools, excellent surf, undulating hills, and thickly wooded canyons and ridges, making it a spectacular natural landscape. Boasting more than three miles of pristine beach and over 2,000 acres of rugged backcountry wilderness, Crystal Cove State Park is popular with outdoor enthusiasts who can take advantage of its magnificent scenery by hiking, biking, scuba and skin diving, swimming, fishing, and surfing in the area. For the less adventurous, tidal pools provide opportunities for extensive exploration, and State Park staff and docents offer interpretive programs year-round including tidal pool walks, guided hikes, and geology talks.
2. Relax with Ocean Views at Heisler Park
Stretching along the bluffs on Cliff Drive high above Laguna Beach and offering breathtaking ocean views is Heisler Park, a lovely green oasis that provides access to many of the beaches along the shore. Located just north of Main Beach between Aster Street and Diver's Cove, Heisler Park features walking trails, tidal pools, picnic tables, benches, and barbecue stands for fun gatherings and sunset watching. If you are wondering what to see in Laguna Beach, Heisler Park is a great place to start exploring. The park is home to the private Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club and a lovely gazebo at the south end, which is ideal for special occasions such as weddings or for spending an evening soaking up the views.
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
3. If You Love Marine Life, Visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, takes care of, and releases marine mammals back into their natural habitats and is one of the best things to do in Laguna Beach, California. Established as Friends of the Sea Lion in 1971, the marine mammal rehabilitation facility was the first of its kind in California. In 1976, the center moved into a facility that was owned by the city of Laguna Beach and had been used by the local SPCA. If you are wondering what to do in Laguna Beach with kids, this is a great place to visit. The center cares for California sea lions, Northern elephant seals, Northern fur seals, and Pacific harbor seals that are found stranded along the beaches of Orange County, and it offers a wide variety of education programs for children and adults. 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California, Phone: 949-494-3050
4. Discover California Creativity at Laguna Art Museum
The Laguna Art Museum is a fine arts museum located on Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach. Founded in 1918 as the Laguna Beach Art Association, the current home of the museum opened in 1929. Today, this section is the Steele Gallery, a part of the museum’s facilities. In 1986 the museum changed its name to Laguna Art Museum. The museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting works of art by California artists; it is unique in that it is the only museum in the state that collects only California art. The pieces of art often depict the history of the state, and they span all periods and styles from the 19th century to contemporary works. 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, California, Phone: 949-494-8971
5. Ride in Retro Style on the Laguna Beach Trolley
The Laguna Beach Trolley is a free weekend transportation system that operates in the city of Laguna Beach whose trolley runs along the South Coast Highway. The service begins at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the city of Dana Point and travels north as far as Cajon Street in North Laguna Beach. Many tourists start at Laguna Beach’s Official Visitors Center: here, they can pick up information about the trolley, local sights, hotels, restaurants, shopping, activities, parking, events, and much more. One of the trolley stops is just a short distance from the Visitors Center. From here, visitors can choose to get off at any of the 34 stops throughout the system.
If you are a photographer, don't miss:
6. Catch Stunning Sunsets at Crescent Bay Point Park
Situated at the western end of Crescent Bay Drive on a bluff high above the ocean, Crescent Bay Point Park is small, well-maintained park that features several walking paths and hiking trails and offers breathtaking panoramic views. This pretty bluff-top park and marine refuge has a neat grassy area with benches for admiring the scenery and great areas for scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing, particularly at Big Hollow. This is a fun place to visit with the whole family. The park does not have restrooms.
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
7. If You Crave Scenic Adventures, Join a Laguna Beach Walks Tour
Discover the beauty and history of Laguna Beach on a free, self-guided walking tour through the area. Perfect for visitors wanting to explore and experience this laid-back Californian town or groups looking for a fun activity to enjoy together, Laguna Beach Walks offers an array of tours covering different areas of the town, focusing on a variety of aspects of history and culture as well as fitness, food, and fun. Explore architectural landmarks and public art spaces, visit art galleries and museums, take in beautiful coastal blooms and scenic ocean views, and relax at one of several excellent restaurants, cafés, and bars – each tour has something for everyone. Signature tours include the Heisler Park Tour and the Downtown Walk with new tours like the Pearl District and Fitness Walk coming soon. Tours are suited for all ages and fitness levels. Simply request a free map on the web site and go on the self-guided walk when it fits in your schedule.
8. Browse Local Art and Handmade Treasures at the Sawdust Art and Craft Festival
The Sawdust Art and Craft Festival is a fun event dedicated to promoting and celebrating art in Laguna Beach and inspiring the public to take an active role in supporting local artists. Drawing more than 200,000 visitors from around the world each year, the Sawdust Art Festival was designed to both entertain and educate. Here, sawdust-covered paths wind their way through a handcrafted village of fine arts and craftsmanship. The festival also features an array of demonstration art booths that showcases media such as woodwork, painting, glassblowing, and clothing and textile making, as well as a ceramics center, complimentary hands-on art workshops, and a special children’s art booth. Visitors can relax at one of four outdoor cafés and a saloon serving refreshments, and enjoy live music and entertainment. 935 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, California, Phone: 949-494-3030
9. Step Back in Time at the Murphy-Smith Historical Bungalow
The Murphy-Smith Historical Bungalow is an outstanding example of a slice of Laguna Beach history. Managed by the Laguna Beach Historical Society, the bungalow is steeped in history, and visitors can enjoy a docent-led tour of the building and learn about life in Laguna Beach in the early 1920s. Built for the Murphy family in 1923, the bungalow is a typical example of a builder's cottage of that era, complete with multi-gabled roof, clapboard siding, and a porch gable. The cottage lived through two World Wars and is packed with memorabilia, photographs, and items from its long and fascinating history. 278 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach, California
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