- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Laguna Beach
What is Laguna Beach famous for starts with its history as an artist colony in the early 1900s. This legacy is reflected in its eclectic architecture, featuring Craftsman bungalows and coastal cottages. The landmark Lifeguard Tower is a repurposed gas station office.
While visiting Laguna Beach, explore seven miles of coastline within a State Marine Reserve, ideal for tide pooling and skimboarding. Inland, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park offers 40 miles of trails. Seek out the hidden 1926 'Pirate Tower' at Victoria Beach.
One of the best reasons to visit Laguna Beach is its art scene. The Pageant of the Masters recreates fine art with live actors. The Sawdust Art Festival has a unique local rule, it only features artists who are residents of Laguna Beach.
- Laguna BeachUnited States
- Laguna BeachUnited States
- Laguna BeachUnited States
- Laguna BeachUnited States
Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild, fewer crowds
- Jul-Aughot & busy
- Wintercool, rain possible
- #ComfortableShoes
- #Sunscreen
- #Swimwear
- #LightLayers
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- 3-4 days for highlights
- 5-6 days with beaches & day trips
- USD ($)
- English
- English is an official language here
- #MainBeach
- #HeislerPark
- #LagunaArtMuseum
- #TidePools
- #ThousandStepsBeach
- #FestivalOfArts
- Watch sunset at Main Beach
- Surfing at Thousand Steps Beach
- Explore art galleries
- Dine on Pacific Coast Highway
- Visit the tide pools at Shaw's Cove
Things to do in Laguna Beach
Discover
When exploring Laguna Beach, you'll find Main Beach, scenic Heisler Park, and the Laguna Art Museum. Discover coastal canyons, tide pools at Treasure Island Beach, and stunning vistas from the Top of the World viewpoint.
Experience
Hike the trails in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park or surf at Brooks Street. Experience the famous Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters in summer. Join a gallery walk during First Thursdays Art Walk or browse the weekly farmers market.
Main Beach
Central beach for swimming, volleyball, and people-watching.
Heisler Park
Oceanfront park with walking trails, gardens, and sculptures.
Laguna Art Museum
Museum focused exclusively on California art and artists.
Festival of Arts
Acclaimed summer fine art show with juried exhibitions.
Crystal Cove State Park
Park with beaches, tide pools, and historic cottages.
Pageant of the Masters
Unique show of "living pictures," recreating famous artworks.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Expansive preserve with over 40 miles of hiking trails.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly into John Wayne Airport (SNA), the closest option for how to get to Laguna Beach. A taxi or rideshare from the Laguna Beach airport to city center takes 25 mins. The nearest train to Laguna Beach stops are Irvine or San Juan Capistrano, requiring a bus.
Getting Around
The best public transport in Laguna Beach is the free seasonal trolley. Year-round, a Laguna Beach shuttle bus covers key routes. Downtown is very walkable, but a car rental in Laguna Beach is useful for exploring beyond the main coves and canyons.
Local Essentials
When you plan a trip to Laguna Beach, note that driving in Laguna Beach is difficult in summer due to traffic. Use the Laguna Beach Parking app to find and pay for spots. Book tickets for art festivals online in advance to avoid the long entry queues.
Where to Stay in Laguna Beach
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore Laguna Beach's culinary scene, where you can taste fresh Ahi Poke and craft cocktails. The local culture embraces ocean-view dining, with many places offering happy hour specials timed perfectly for sunset.
Enjoy
For the best restaurants in Laguna Beach, try Las Brisas' vibrant patio, book ahead. Explore the best bars in Laguna Beach like The Rooftop Lounge's chic scene, arrive early. Urth Caffé has a relaxed vibe, expect queues.
Las Brisas
Upscale Mexican seafood with stunning ocean views. Book ahead.
Selanne Steak Tavern
Elegant steakhouse in a historic white cottage. Reserve early.
Starfish
Lively spot for pan-Asian dishes and great cocktails. Busy.
Splashes Restaurant
Fine dining right on the sand for coastal cuisine. Sunset view.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Laguna Beach's heritage through its annual Patriots Day Parade, a tradition since 1967 with floats and school bands. This March event celebrates local and national heroes, reflecting the city's strong community spirit and American pride.
Enjoy
For modern things to do, discover Laguna Beach's creative scene. Enjoy the Laguna Dance Festival's world-class performances or listen to indie bands at the Fête de la Musique. These events showcase premier contemporary talent and global artists.
Pageant of the Masters
Famous art recreated by live actors in tableaux vivants.
Sawdust Art & Craft Festival
Summer festival with 180+ local artists and craftspeople.
Patriots Day Parade
March parade with floats, bands, and civic organizations.
Laguna Dance Festival
World-class contemporary and classical dance performances.
Fête de la Musique
A free, city-wide outdoor music festival held in June.
Hospitality Night
December holiday event with a tree lighting and Santa.
A truly relaxing coastal town
Laguna Beach has this amazing relaxed feel. It's artsy without being pretentious. The cliffs overlooking the ocean are just stunning, especially the walking paths in Heisler Park. It's a perfect place to unwind and just enjoy the coastline.
So many great art galleries
Such a creative place! I loved walking down the main highway and popping into all the different art galleries. There's so much talent on display. The whole town feels like an open-air museum. The public art installations are a really nice touch.
Absolutely stunning coves
The coastline is just incredible with all the beautiful hidden coves. We spent most of our time just exploring the different beaches. Thousand Steps Beach was well worth the walk down; it felt so private and the tide pools were fantastic.
Great hiking with ocean views
Laguna Beach isn't just about the ocean. The hiking in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park offers these incredible views over the canyons and out to the sea. It's a great way to see a different side of the area and get away from the crowds for a bit.
Easy to walk around and explore
A wonderful, walkable town. It was so nice to just wander around the downtown area. Forest Avenue has all these unique little shops and cute cafes. We had some amazing fish tacos at a place just off the main street. Everything felt very accessible.
The sunsets are unreal
The views are spectacular from almost everywhere. Driving into town along the coast is an experience in itself. We went up to Top of the World park one evening and the panoramic view of the coastline and city lights was just breathtaking.