Laguna Beach, a picturesque coastal city in Southern California, is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant arts scene, and year-round mild climate. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the San Joaquin Hills, this charming destination has a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions.
With over seven miles of pristine coastline dotted with hidden coves, tide pools, and sandy beaches, Laguna Beach is an idyllic retreat for those seeking relaxation, sunbathing, swimming, or surfing. It is a busy and fun town where there is always something to do. So, check out this list of great things to do in Laguna Beach before you go so you won’t miss a thing.
One of the key reasons to visit Laguna Beach is its thriving arts community. The city boasts numerous art galleries, public art installations, and world-class events such as the Sawdust Art Festival, Festival of Arts, and the famous Pageant of the Masters.
The Laguna Playhouse, one of the oldest continuously operating theaters on the West Coast, offers a diverse range of performances, while the Laguna Art Museum, which exclusively features California art, is a great place to spend an hour or two.
With its captivating blend of natural wonders, artistic allure, and laid-back coastal ambiance, Laguna Beach is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable Southern California experience.
Our Recommended Laguna Beach Hotel
Laguna Beach Tours to Try
- 1.5 Hour Surf Lesson in Laguna Beach
- Laguna Beach Kayak Tour with Sea Lion Viewing
- Laguna Beach SUP Lesson and Tour
- Orange County Coastal Sightseeing Tour
18 Fun-Filled Things to do in Laguna Beach, California
Few towns offer as much to do as Laguna Beach. Here you’ll find sandy beaches, caves, tide pools, pristine nature, and a bustling city, all in one place.
To get the maximum fun during your stay, here are our suggestions for all the must-see destinations, and how to get the best experience in each spot.
1. Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park consists of a long 3.2-mile beach, plus a backdrop of dense woodland spread over more than 2,400 acres.
If you’re an adventurous type, you can start the day with a splash, surf the waves, scuba dive, and maybe do some fishing. Once that’s done, put on your hiking gear and go for a hike on the hillsides.
The young ones can play in the sparkling tide pools or join one of the nature interpretive programs with the park staff.
2. Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Marine life is an integral part of Laguna Beach. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center started out in the 70s, and its main focus at the time was on treating injured sea lions.
Over the years, marine biologists and volunteers expanded the scope of the marine center, and it’s now a more comprehensive rescue, research, and rehabilitation place for various ocean mammals.
The Marine Center is child friendly, and it offers several educational tours for kids. You can take your little ones, and spend a day watching the sea animals up close. People often develop a better appreciation for wildlife and feel more strongly about ocean stewardship.
3. Laguna Art Museum
Since Laguna Beach is famous for its artistic inclination, then you should definitely visit its oldest and biggest gallery; the Laguna Art Museum.
In 1918, the Laguna Beach Art Association laid the first bricks of what’s now the Laguna Art Museum. The one condition that had persevered through the years is that only Californian artists get to share their creations in this museum.
Currently, it has 3000 permanent exhibits and collections, in addition to contemporary exhibitions of modern art.
4. Mission San Juan Capistrano
A journey back to the 18th century should definitely be on your itinerary. San Juan Capistrano, which is also known as “The Jewel of the Missions”, was built in 1776, and still retains much of its old grandeur. It’s among the most beautiful historic sites in California.
The ruins of the Great Stone Church and the free-standing Bell Wall are the most visited parts of this mission. But there are also some iconic parts, like the scenic courtyard and the restored Padre’s premises.
Many Californians choose the Mission for holding their special events, so the calendar is almost always full. You might want to schedule your visit on one of these festive days or choose a less crowded date.
5. Corona Del Mar State Beach Park
This beach is so picture-perfect that it appeared in movies and TV shows. Corona Del Mar is a moderately sized beach, with a coastal line half a mile long. It’s not a straight shore though, more of a curvy line that harbors little coves.
From one side, there’s a rocky jetty that cuts deep into the sea, providing a natural wave barrier. Beyond the jetty, you can see Newport Harbor. Hills surround the beach giving it a lush green backdrop.
You can do numerous activities at the Corona Del Mar beach park. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, diving, and beach volleyball are all popular pastimes that you can pick and choose from. When you’re all done, bring a picnic, and watch a magnificent sunset with your loved ones.
6. The Wedge
Water trapped between a jetty and a peninsula often swells up and crashes with great momentum. The huge waves of The Wedge are a must-see event that you can catch at the Southeast end of Newport beach.
30-foot waves belong to the wildest fantasies of body surfers, and at the Wedge, they come true. Moreover, the mighty waves create a powerful backwash that crushes the strongest surfers.
You can watch the action, participate in a surfing adventure, or take memorable shots of the raging ocean.
7. Victoria Beach
This secluded beach is surrounded by posh properties and seems hard to reach. It’s located on the south side of Victoria Drive, which is also where it gets its name.
The best experience of Victoria Beach is either if you’re a resident, or if you know how to rough it up with little amenities. There aren’t any restrooms, picnic tables, or camping areas along the small beach. However, there’s a unique seascape that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
If you like photography, you’d find endless opportunities for getting exquisite shots. The rocky parts of the beach, the fine architecture of the surrounding beachfront houses, and the aquamarine water crashing against the shore.
You can also hike till you reach the Victorian Tower, which was built in the 1920s along the lines of a lighthouse. It seems much more ancient though.
8. Heisler Park (Tide Pools)
This oceanfront park is the perfect way to chill by the beach, enjoy all sorts of activities, then indulge in a heartwarming picnic with family and friends. And if you’re in the mood, you might even get a BBQ going.
Heisler Park is a family-friendly park that extends from Aster Street to Diver’s Cove. the multitude of tide pools would keep your kids occupied throughout the day. And if they want to play in the park, there’s so much they can do around the beautiful gardens of the park.
You can also go on hikes on any of the walking trails in the park. The Lawn Bowling Club is also among the many attractions of Heisler Park, but it needs special access.
9. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Exploring nature the way it was created is a memorable and rare experience. In Laguna Coast Wilderness Park you’ll find rare coastal canyons, which are probably the last ones in the whole area.
This park is spread over 7,000 acres, and it’s located in the San Joaquin Hills. The hiking trails are a must-see, even though they might need several visits to cover fully.
You might be able to go faster on the 40-mile-long trails if you’re riding a bike. Then again, walking through the sycamore, oak, cactus, and willow woodlands is a wholesome experience you shouldn’t miss.
10. Crescent Bay Point Park
The well-manicured Crescent Bay Point Park is an incredible destination for taking scenic pictures. You can watch the whole town from a vantage point that also provides a unique perspective of the ocean.
Hiking trails are such a pleasure, with all the breathtaking beauty all around you. The park also leads to Big Hollow, where you can enjoy surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
11. Explore the Galleries
Laguna Beach is locally known as the “art colony”. The nickname comes from the fact that this little town has more than 100 art galleries, that keep the cultural scene of southern California buzzing all year round.
There’s an interesting story behind Laguna Beach’s fascination with artists. The very first residents were “Plein Air” artists, who fell in love with the seascapes and landscapes of the area.
At some point, half of the population of Laguna Beach were painters. This includes big names like Norman St. Clair and William Wendt.
12. Laguna Beach Tide Pools
Lots of beaches in Orange County have tide pools, but the ones in Laguna Beach are particularly amazing. Most of the tide pools are protected as “no-take” areas. One way the locals describe this is by saying; “take only memories with you and leave nothing behind”.
As the tides come and go, you can observe a whole ecosystem of pool dwellers like octopuses, barnacles, urchins, sea stars, and a wide variety of little fish. Seaweeds and other sea plants provide a rich food source, and a hiding spot, for these marine animals.
Even the birds integrated themselves into that balanced natural system. You can easily spot herons and egrets, which is awesome!
13. 1000 Steps Beach
This isn’t a metaphor. The 1000 Steps Beach is really accessible only by descending and ascending hundreds of steps! They aren’t exactly one thousand though.
Why then would anyone subject himself to the torture of climbing up hundreds of steps at the end of a long eventful day? The answer is simple, the beach is totally worth it.
You can embrace the swells in brave body surfing, go on kayaking tours, or try stand-up paddling. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also amazing at 1000 Steps Beach.
14. Main Beach
Few places offer a wholesome experience for all types of people, and Main Beach tops that list. It’s a family-friendly beach, which allows dogs to share the good times, unlike many other beaches.
It also has basketball courts, volleyball courts, kids’ playgrounds, a boardwalk, and lush green lawns. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, or SUP.
The Beach has many essential services and amenities, like showers and restrooms. There are uniformed lifeguards all around the beach, ready to help and protect. Additionally, the beach park has many art installations that add to the beauty of the place.
15. Whale Watching
You can’t visit Laguna Beach without going on a whale-watching tour. The Southern California waters are famous for their rich marine life, but Laguna Beach takes this a step further with its nature preservation efforts.
Whales visit the local beaches as they find them safe, tranquil, and quite rich in food. Thus, the reserve areas have become fundamental stops along the whales’ migratory pathways. Many other marine mammals also reside in the warm waters of Southern California.
Make sure to book a whale-watching tour, and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience watching the mighty animals in their natural habitats.
16. Aliso Beach
If you have a big family, or come in a large crowd, then you should head to Aliso Beach. One of the great attractions there has nothing to do with the beach. It’s the metered parking lot adjacent to the beach!
You can fill your car with “stuff” to make your stay more enjoyable, and you would only carry it a short distance to the beach. You can also gather around any of the firepits scattered around the beach for an extra warm ambiance.
17. Diver’s Cove
Children have a tendency of wandering around, which makes their parents hypervigilant. That’s why the compact size of Diver’s Cove is among its main attractions for parents. They can easily keep an eye on the little ones since the beach is only 300 feet across.
As the name suggests, Diver’s Cove is also a great spot for snorkeling. You don’t need to wade too deep into the ocean to find all kinds of marine animals. Also, the Cove keeps the swells nicely tamed, so the water remains soft and tranquil.
18. Top of the World
A place as gorgeous as Laguna Beach looks particularly breathtaking as you look at it from above. The Top of the World spot is an elevated vantage point with a 360-degree view of the whole town, and a big part of the ocean.
Up at the top, you can spend the day at the Alta Laguna Park, or take a walk along the trails of Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.
To Wrap This Up
Laguna Beach is an iconic town, and if you decide to take a vacation there, you’d find tons of activities in and out of town.
From chilling on a sandy beach to surfing above the swells beside the harbor, the watersports alone would energize you beyond belief. Especially, with all the beauty and variety of Laguna Beach Parks. You can also immerse yourself in the arts, culture, adventures, and wildlife of Laguna Beach.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
Travel Planning Guide
🚙💨 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around in California, no matter where you’re visiting. Public transportation can only get your so far, even in big cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🛌 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites, but you can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the our California Packing List or Disneyland Packing List to get all the info on packing.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to California?
For finding cheap California flights from around the world, I recommend Skyscanner. I’ve also had pretty good luck with Kayak.com.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.