Wood's Cove Beach, Laguna Beach CaliforniaLaguna beaches: Wood's Cove Beach

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Don't be swept away with more than passion when you fall in love with Wood's Cove beach, one of the busiest beaches in Laguna Beach. This beach is small but mighty! Filled with hazards that include rocks and rip currents, it can be extremely dangerous to those unaware of tide and surf conditions. There is no diving or jumping off any rocks at Wood's Cove.

Offshore rock formations, a sandy cove (thus the name, Wood's Cove,) and close shore breaks, Wood's Cove Beach make it one of the most exciting beaches to visit in Laguna, and all of Southern California for that matter.

At high tides much of the beach is submerged by incoming water and waves which means no sunbathing and lounging around. Beach-goers head for the stairs till low tides return. From the stairs above the beach the scenery seem like colorful sanctuary! Red and pink bougainvillea hug the hills above the Pacific Ocean.

The entry stairs access both Wood's Cove and Lovers' Cove where beach-goers discover diving, body surfing, fishing, and tide pools. As you enter this beach check with lifeguards for local conditions, and keep in mind the rising tides.

Family friendly, Wood's Cove is a scenic, hospitable cove frequented by residents and some tourists and locals who manage to find their way to this treasured enclave. Summer weekends bring crowds to the marine protected area known for its rich blue colored waters, and some interesting rock formations.

Getting there: To find Wood's Cove, turn from South Coast Highway to Diamond Street. Limited parking may require finding a spot across the busy Coast Highway, then walking across at a stoplight a block or two to the beach. Enter from Ocean Way (next to the former home of famed actress Bette Davis), where a cement bench sits overlooking the ocean. Beyond that entry is a cement walk around and set of stairs that descend to this beach where the waves crash close to the base.