The 7 Best Things To Do In Laguna Beach, California
What Are The 7 Best Things To Do In Laguna Beach, California?
There are many fun and relaxing things to do in Laguna Beach, California, but let’s just get you started with the top 7 things to do in Laguna Beach without getting in your car. The 7 best things to do in Laguna Beach, California are great for a couples romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a girlfriends’ trip.
Laguna has a thriving arts community, lots of local boutiques, tons of great food, and sun, sun, sun! It’s perfect for a day trip, a weekend, or a full-on two week vacay.
Why is Laguna Beach one of our favorite getaway spots? My husband spent childhood summers there and when we first met, he introduced me to Laguna. I have never looked back!
Laguna has all the charm of a sleepy beach town, all the amenities of a paradise vacation, and all the casual vibes for a perfect Southern California getaway. You can do so much without getting back in your car! When you crave to be barefoot all day and dine overlooking the ocean at night, I highly recommend Laguna Beach.
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Know before you go
When To Go
Laguna is lovely all year round. It is known for its Mediterranean climate. I have rarely had bad weather there and have had many a December day warm enough to swim! So visit when it works for you. Summer is of course the busiest time. Winter time is also very beautiful, cozy, and festive. I love spending my Xmas Eve birthday in Laguna! Very difficult to find food on that night, but always great weather!
Laguna Fun Fact
Eiler Larsen was a “vagabond” from Denmark who traveled the world and eventually landed in Laguna Beach at age 52. Larsen became known as the Laguna Greeter for standing on a corner from the 1940’s through the 1970’s saying hello to all who passed. He was supported by locals with free rent and food and even was named the Official Greeter by the mayor in 1964. Look for his image in paintings and sculptures. He passed away in 1975 at the age of 84.
Where To Stay
I have stayed in just a few hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns, and vacation rentals in Laguna, because we have primarily stayed in the same place for over 30 years! The Pacific Edge Hotel The Pacific Edge is family friendly, dog friendly, has two pools, a hot tub, two restaurants on site, rooms with views of the ocean, and best of all, a private section of the beach with beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels at your disposal. We park our car once and never drive again until we are leaving town. The hotel has valet parking. It is expensive, so we park in the neighborhoods across the street. Check it out!
Where To Eat
We have eaten at many places in Laguna and can safely say, we have never left hungry or cranky! You can spend a lot of money at restaurants in Laguna, but you don’t have to. There are so many great bakeries and coffee shops, and then there is lunch and dinner to think of! I recommend:
The Greeter’s Corner Restaurant -great fish&chips
Alessa – amazing Italian
The Orange Inn – favorite breakfasts
Las Brisas – best views
The Deck – great cocktails
Gelato Paradisio – best gelato
Tips
Take advantage of the Laguna Beach Free Trolly. There is a Canyon Road route, a Coastal route, and a Festivals route. Check it out!
Bring layers, the day may start off foggy and end a little cooler.
Park in the neighborhoods with no meters, to the east of the PCH, across from the ocean.
Shop at Ralph’s for whatever you need, if you don’t want to dine out for every meal.
Bring good walking shoes and beach shoes.
Don’t forget a beach blanket and towels if you are not staying at a hotel which provides them.
Of course you will need a bathing suit for the ocean or hotel pool or hot tub.
Bring your dog.
The 7 Best Things To Do In Laguna Beach, California
Here are my top recs for the 7 best things to do in Laguna Beach, California. Not in any particular order, but if you are short on time, then just plan on sleeping on the beach all day. You can’t go wrong!
#1 The Main Beach
One of the 7 best things to do in Laguna Beach is obviously, to go to the beach! The Main Beach is aptly named, as it is the main attraction in Laguna. When you enter town, your first sighting of the ocean includes the iconic Laguna Lifeguard Tower.
While the Main Beach can get pretty crowded at times, it remains one of the most exquisite spots in Southern California. Teaming with volleyball matches, families in the waves, dogs walking their people, and views for days, this beach is the quintessential California scene.
Take a walk south along the beach to see gorgeous hotels and homes. Keep walking and you will encounter rock formations and surfing competitions. My favorite time of day to walk this beach is early morning when it is still a bit foggy and quiet. There are restrooms and outdoor showers for washing off the sand at the end of the day.
#2 Heisler Park
One of the 7 best things to do in Laguna Beach, California is to stroll through Heisler Park. Heisler Park is the beautifully landscaped park on the coast, up above the bluffs, at the north end of Main Beach.
Howard Heisler purchased the land in 1905 and named the park after his wife, Lucinda Heisler. Enter the park via the stairs by the restrooms on the Main Beach or come from the north. Either way, you can enjoy views like you’ve never seen. The paved paths wind through the park with its perfectly groomed gardens, exotic flowers, picnic areas, and lawn bowling green.
Gazebos offer a romantic spot for a wedding, or just to enjoy the blue water below. There is a veteran’s monument in the park with a time capsule scheduled to be opened in 2027. Fun, right?
#3 Tide Pools
A personal favorite on the best things to do in Laguna Beach is to explore the tide pools. If you walk a short distance to the north on the beach, you will discover the famous Laguna Tide Pools. This is a Marine Protected Area which means that the marine life, animals, shells, rocks, and plants cannot be touched or collected. Please follow the rules of Leave No Trace!
Bonus Tips!
Whale watching is offered through a few boating companies in nearby Newport Beach and Dana Point just south of Laguna Beach.
Visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center on Laguna Canyon Road which rescues, rehabilitates, and releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education, and collaboration.
Timing is everything here as the Pageant only runs from July through early September. Bring a blanket as it can be chilly in the evening. This is a family friendly event and not just for art historians. It is a great way to spend an evening in Laguna.
You can easily walk to the festival on Laguna Canyon Road or take the shuttle. If you plan on driving, read the website parking instructions carefully.
#4 Pageant Of The Masters at the Festival of Arts
The famous Laguna Festival of Arts is a non profit organization started in 1932 and has since been a huge part of the Laguna community. The Festival hosts art and music events, education, exhibits, has a permanent collection, and provides scholarships and grants to artists.
The festival is not only known for its summer art festival of booths displaying artists’ works, concerts, and food, but is best known for the world famous Pageant of the Masters. Imagine masterpieces coming to life. I have never seen anything like it. Living art created before your very eyes! Sit in the small amphitheater and watch as volunteers recreate works of art to music. And what a deal! Ticket prices are reasonable for the quality of the performances.
#5 The Sawdust Festival
Just across the road from the Festival of the Arts, is another great Laguna tradition. The Sawdust Art Festival is a shoppers dream. With a colorful history of supporting artistic expression since the 1960’s, the festival now displays the work of hundreds of artists. Their hand crafted, locally made art is fused with food, music, and culture from the end of June through the end of August.
And, if you are visiting Laguna in the winter, which we often do, visit the Sawdust Winter Fantasy market that rivals the European Christmas markets with its lights, decorations, live music, caroling, and treats!
Bonus Tips!
Visit the Hortense Miller Garden, a two and one half acre garden on the upper slopes of Boat Canyon in Laguna Beach, California. The Garden demonstrates the range of plants that can be grown in Southern California coastal zones.
Bonus Tips!
Visit Victoria Beach to find the Victorian La Tour Tower. Its a 60-foot castle-inspired staircase tower designed to get from the house down to the beach, originally built for the senator William Edward Brown’s family in 1926.
#6 Laguna Art Museum
Talk about the 7 best things to do in Laguna Beach, California! In case you don’t get enough art from the festivals and all the galleries in town, you can always dip into the Laguna Art Museum.
This museum hosts over 3000 California Artists’ works. Since 1918, the Laguna Art Association has worked to support a Museum of California Art. The permanent collection is vast and the exhibitions offer an excellent view into a diverse group of artists. Another great bargain at $12 per adult and $9 for seniors, students, and children.
#7 Shopping & Dining
Like any good beach town, Laguna has shops! Souvenir shops, clothing shops, hat shops, shoes shops, and jewelry shops. You name it, you will find it. Plenty of penny candy and ice cream too.
Wander up and down the PCH and into the side streets in town to find all kinds of great spots. Lots of touristy and pricey items, but there are quality bargains out there as well. I have gotten some really nice things in the post Christmas sales.
Bonus Tips!
Hiking Trails a plenty if you want to go vertical instead of horizontal on the beach all day. Check out the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, or Alisio & Woods Canyon State Park.
Drive to other beaches along the 9 mile stretch of Laguna. There are 36 beaches!
Enjoy your time in Laguna Beach! I know you will love it as much as I do!
You might also enjoy more California gems!
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One Day In San Francisco
The 6 Best Things to Do In Carmel
xx,
Carrie
