Things to do in Laguna Beach: Coves, Cliffs and Canyon Trails
A plain guide to the beaches, coastal parks, art spaces and trails that make Laguna Beach worth a visit.
8 Oct 2026
Laguna Beach sits on the Orange County coast, where steep hills drop down to the Pacific. The city covers a bit under ten square miles and has about seven miles of shoreline. Along that shoreline you will find 27 beaches and coves, plus rocky bluffs and deep canyons. Artists settled here in the early 1900s, and the town still feels like a place built around views.
This guide covers the places that have been here for years and will be here for years more.
Beaches and coves
Main Beach is the beach most people think of first. It has a sandy stretch and a boardwalk at the foot of Broadway, right in the middle of town.
If you want something quieter, try the smaller coves. Crescent Bay is known for waves that break close to shore. Diver's Cove is a spot for scuba and skin diving. Victoria Beach is a place where people skimboard, and from there you can reach the rock formations at Mermaid Beach. Aliso Beach sits below a cliff.
The water is cool. Average sea temperatures run from about 59 degrees Fahrenheit in February to about 68 in August, so a wetsuit makes sense for longer swims.
Parks and viewpoints
Heisler Park runs along the bluffs just north of Main Beach. It has curved walking paths, grassy lawns, picnic tables, a gazebo and sculptures set along the way. You can also look at tide pools here and watch the sun go down over the ocean. It is an easy place to spend an hour without a plan.
For a bigger view, drive up to Top of the World. It is the highest point in the area, with a wide view of the ocean.
Just north of town is Crystal Cove State Park. It covers 2,791 acres, with 3.2 miles of beach and about 2,400 acres of backcountry. The park has tide pools, sandy coves, rocky reefs, ridges and canyons. People swim, surf, snorkel, hike, bike and ride horses there. The park also holds a historic district of 46 small coastal cottages from the 1930s and 1940s, one of the last examples of early beach development in Southern California.
Hiking and biking
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park covers about 7,000 acres and has around forty miles of trails. The trails wander through oak woodland, sycamore canyons and coastal sage scrub. You can hike, run, ride a bike or ride a horse. The park also has guided tours led by volunteers and staff.
Wildlife here includes mule deer, bobcats and red-tailed hawks. The park protects rare animals such as the California gnatcatcher. The area also has the only natural lakes in Orange County.
At the Nix Nature Center you can see exhibits and watch for wildlife. It suits families who want to learn what lives in the hills before heading out on a trail.
Dogs are not allowed in the wilderness park, and trails may close for a few days after rain.
Other places for the trail minded include El Morro Canyon for hiking, and Laguna Canyon and Laguna Wilderness Park for mountain biking. The mountain biking here is known well beyond the town.
Art and culture
Laguna Beach grew up as an artists' town. Plein air painters, who work outdoors, built the community in the early 20th century.
Laguna Art Museum was founded in 1918 by local artists. It focuses on California art and shows work that tells the story of life in the state. It is a good stop for a rainy afternoon or just a break from the sun.
The Laguna Playhouse has been running since 1920. It is the oldest continuously running theatre on the West Coast.
Gallery Row, in the northern part of the village, is a stretch of galleries you can browse on foot.
For families
Tide pools are one of the easiest family outings here. Heisler Park has tide pools along its shore, and Crystal Cove State Park offers tide pool walks and educational programs with guides. Kids can also use the Nix Nature Center for its wildlife viewing areas and scavenger hunts.
The beach scene here has long roots in sport. A surfing contest and a volleyball tournament have both been held here since 1955.
When it rains
Rain does not come often. The town gets about 13.5 inches a year, and the weather is mild most of the year, with average highs from the high 60s Fahrenheit in January to about 80 in August.
When a wet day does arrive, head indoors. Laguna Art Museum and the Laguna Playhouse are the two places to start. Keep in mind that trail closures can follow a storm, so check before you plan a hike.
Getting around
You do not have to drive everywhere. There are a few good options. OCTA bus route 1 runs along Coast Highway, and route 89 runs along Laguna Canyon Road. The city also runs free trolleys, with five neighborhood routes through the year and three coastal routes on weekends.
Good to know
The land rises steeply from the shore, so expect some hills on foot.
The ocean is cool for most of the year. Bring a layer.
Dogs are not allowed in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
Trails can stay closed for days after rain. Check the park site first.
Marine reserves protect some coastal waters. Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve was set up in 2012 as a no take zone, so look at signs before fishing.
Check each park's own website for current closures before you go.
Find local businesses
Planning a visit, or live nearby and need a hand with something? Browse the local businesses listed in the South Orange County guide to find who serves Laguna Beach and the towns around it.
Useful links
Businesses in Laguna Beach in the South Orange County guide
About Laguna Beach: the town at a glance
Own a business in Laguna Beach? Claim or add your listing, free
By Thomas Hassett and Eric Andrews, Local Business America
Photo: NorbertNagel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources: Wikivoyage, "Laguna Beach" (https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Laguna_Beach); Wikipedia, "Laguna Beach, California" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laguna_Beach,_California); California State Parks, "Crystal Cove State Park" (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=644); Laguna Art Museum, "About" (https://lagunaartmuseum.org/about/); OC Parks, "Laguna Coast Wilderness Park" (https://parks.oc.gov/lagunacoast); Orange County Outdoors, "Heisler Park" (https://www.orangecountyoutdoors.com/get-out-there/outdoor-spaces/heisler-park). Wikivoyage and Wikipedia text is available under CC BY-SA.