The Essential Guide to Laguna Beach, California

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Explore Laguna’s sandy beaches and hidden coves. 
• Walk around Forest Avenue and visit the city’s buzzy art galleries. 
• Hike to the scenic Top of the World viewpoint.
• Feast on seafood at Rebel Omakase, a Michelin-starred sushi restaurant.  
• Catch the sunset from one of the fire pits at Lost Pier Café.

Located in Orange County between Los Angeles and San Diego, Laguna Beach flies under most travelers’ radars—but it’s one of the most beautiful and storied towns in Southern California.

Since the early 1900s, Laguna Beach has served as an artists’ colony, and spirited creatives have been drawn to and inspired by its coastal landscapes and warm local culture. Laguna Beach has certainly changed quite a bit from its early days, but it still has a thriving creative community that’s influenced by the area’s beaches, canyons, and marine life.

“Laguna Beach takes its history and cultural heritage seriously—from the earliest Western settlers who set up artist studios, to our Indigenous peoples who made this special place home thousands of years ago,” says Kurt Bjorkman, chief operating officer of The Ranch at Laguna Beach.

But really, one of the most stunning things about Laguna Beach is also one of the most simplistic: It’s the color of the ocean. Laguna Beach is the only city in the Golden State whose entire coastline is designated as a boating and fishing-free zone. It’s also a part of one of the largest marine protected areas in Southern California. The conservation efforts have led to some of the bluest, clearest waters in the region, and Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve and Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area are among the two most-visited MPAs in the state’s system. In fact, it was found to have some of the cleanest waters in California, according to a 2025 study by the non-profit organization, Heal the Bay.

Laguna’s love for the ocean can be felt throughout the city, in its hotels, museums, and festivals. Each November, the Laguna Art Museum hosts the Art + Nature Celebration Week, a free event that honors the city’s artistic legacy and its natural surroundings. The Laguna Ocean Foundation also kicks off every summer with its annual Kelp Fest, where visitors can take photos with mermaids, listen to live music, and participate in a large-scale beach clean-up. But even if you don’t visit during an event, Laguna’s connection with the ocean—and art—can be felt throughout the city.

“Visiting is a truly personal experience,” says Bjorkman, who has lived in Laguna Beach for 17 years. “You get to know the locals, you have every opportunity to really engage with our local community in meaningful ways.”

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Laguna Beach, California.

Best Hotels & Resorts

The lobby bar at The Montage Resort.

The Montage Resort

Montage Laguna Beach

In my humble opinion, the Montage Laguna Beach is one of the best beach resorts in the United States. Located on a bluff over the Pacific, this sprawling, 30-acre resort has 262 rooms with gorgeous oceanfront views and generously sized soaking tubs. For those who would like to splurge, it also has a selection of chic villas and a spa with an expansive menu of facials and massages.

The Ranch at Laguna Beach

In Travel + Leisure‘s 2025 World’s Best Awards, readers named The Ranch at Laguna Beach one of the top hotels in California thanks to its gorgeous scenery, top-tier restaurants, and environmentally friendly commitments. At this tiny oasis, guests can enjoy 97 rooms scattered around a coastal canyon. Amenities like a full-service spa, a heated pool, and a nine-hole golf course round out this wellness-focused resort.

Surf & Sand Laguna Beach

Surf & Sand Resort recently completed a resort transformation in June 2025, and unveiled revamped guest rooms, a brand new lounge, and a refreshed pool and terrace. The pool deck is a perfect spot to sip on a cocktail with an ocean view, and the spa has a well-curated menu of restorative treatments. 

Casa Loma Beach Hotel

Named one of the best new hotels of 2025 in T+L’s annual It List, Casa Loma Beach Hotel makes it a point to tap into the city’s Bohemian roots. Located in the heart of the downtown buzz, this 70-room property is arguably one of the most luxurious places in town to soak up the sun, and has beach cabanas, a pool deck, and a rooftop bar.

Best Things to Do

The exterior of the Laguna Art Museum.

Steve Cukrov/Adobe Stock

Art gallery hop.

Laguna Beach is home to over 100 art galleries. Start at the Laguna Art Museum, which is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting pieces that represent the everyday life and history of California. There are seemingly countless galleries in the downtown area, but some highlights include the GW Contemporary, Culterra, and Kush Fine Art. 

Warm yourself by the fire at Aliso Beach.

There are seven wood-burning fire pits at Alisa Beach, which are managed by the Lost Pier Cafe. Since there is a limited number of pits, be sure to book in advance with the cafe—a reservation gets you a bonfire kit (which includes wood) as well as a s’more kit. I recommend ordering a margarita for the experience, too, so you can sip on it while watching the locals skimboard, a sport that was invented in Laguna Beach.

Embark on the Top of the World hike. 

“Finding your way to the Top of the World trail is something amazing, especially at sunset,” says Bjorkman. 

This scenic hike has panoramic views of the hills and waters that surround Laguna Beach. Trails in the area can also take visitors down into the canyons, through downtown Laguna Beach, or even into neighboring towns. 

Explore Laguna’s coves and tide pools.

Laguna Beach has over 30 beaches and coves along its seven miles of coastline. There are several secluded spots, including Shaw’s Cove, which has tide pools and snorkeling, and Pearl Street beach, which leads to Woods Cove at low tide. Since the water is so clear, the area’s tide pools almost act like mini-aquariums, giving visitors a glimpse into the vibrancy of the ocean that lies just beneath the surface. Before you set out, be sure to check the tide, bring plenty of water, and follow Leave No Trace principles while you’re there. 

Best Restaurants 

The dining room of Harvest at The Ranch at Laguna Beach.

The Ranch at Laguna Beach

Harvest

Harvest is located at the Ranch, and its menu changes with every season, according to what’s growing on its half-acre farm that supplies the restaurant with ingredients. It offers diners a creative, local spin on California coastal cuisine, complete with innovative cocktails and an impressive wine list.

Rebel Omakase 

While Rebel Omakase was awarded a Michelin star in 2024, it still somehow feels like a hidden gem. It’s tucked away in an unassuming shopping center, and serves a prefixed menu with ingredients that have all been sourced from Japan. There are a limited number of seats, so you’ll need to book in advance to ensure you get a table at this intimate eatery.

Hapi Sushi 

Hapi Sushi is a casual sushi bar that is perfect for a post-beach lunch or easy dinner. Located in downtown Laguna Beach, it serves fresh and inventive sushi rolls, poke bowls, and sashimi at reasonable prices. 

Brussels Bistro

Chef Thomas Crijins has been serving up Belgian cuisine in Laguna Beach since 2004. At Brussels Bistro, guests can enjoy cheese croquettes, boeuf bourguignon, and fresh oysters. In true European fashion, the restaurant turns into an electro music nightclub on the weekends. 

Best Time to Visit 

Sunset over the Laguna Beach coastline.

Zak Zeinert/Adobe Stock

Thanks to its mild Mediterranean climate, there’s really no bad time to visit Laguna Beach. However, summer is a popular tourist season, thanks to long sunny days and its heavy roster of events that includes the Sawdust Art Festival, Festival of Arts, and Kelp Fest.

However, locals know that the best time to be in Southern California is in the fall. California summer seems to come later and later each year, and if you want to spend time at the beach, September often promises the warmest days. 

“My favorite time of year in Laguna Beach is September and October,” Bjorkman says. “The weather is incredible and there are far fewer visitors, so you have more of the town to enjoy.” 

How to Get There 

Aerial view of a road running along the coast of Laguna Beach.

rouda100/Adobe Stock

The easiest way to get to Laguna Beach is by car. It is about a 1.5-hour drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or 30 minutes from Orange’s County’s John Wayne Airport (SNA).

However, if you’d rather not fly, you can also take the Amtrak Pacific Surfline Route most of the way. This scenic train runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo with plenty of stops in cute seaside towns. If you get off at the San Juan Capistrano stop, it’s a 20-minute car ride (ride-hailing services and taxis are available) to downtown Laguna Beach. Once you get to Laguna Beach, though, you’ll rarely need your car. 

Cities & Neighborhoods to Visit

A lifeguard stand on Laguna Beach.

Steve Cukrov/Adobe Stock

Downtown Laguna Beach 

Downtown Laguna Beach feels like a village square. It is full of restaurants, candy shops, and boutiques, but the true draw is its art galleries. Each has its own unique style and focus.

The HIP District 

Laguna Beach’s downtown strip was actually once located around Bluebird Canyon and the South Coast Highway. The area is now known as “The HIP District,” which stands for “Historic and Interesting Places.” While you’re here, you can walk around some of the oldest buildings in the city, shop at boutiques, or pamper yourself with a massage. 

South Laguna 

South Laguna runs from Victoria Beach down to Dana Point, and it is home to incredible rock formations, tide pools, and sandy beaches. If you’re looking for a beach day with fewer crowds, I recommend hopping between the Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach (a historic 60-foot-tall tower), Goff Cove, and Thousand Steps Beach—the latter is also popular among surfers.

How to Get Around 

Despite being in Southern California, Laguna Beach is delightfully walkable, though you may want to rent a car if you’d like to explore the greater area. It’s easy to park your car once and spend the rest of the day exploring on your own. One of the best ways to get around Laguna is with the free trolley system. The cars run up and down Coast Highway with plenty of convenient stops at major points of interest.