Agate Beach Laguna Beach, California

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF. -- Agate Street Beach is shown in photos above. Top picture was taken from the public access stairs to the beach. To your left and right are private homes with spectacular views of the beach below. If you have millions to drop on the oceanfront dream, Laguna Beach offers a number of dream homes where the sound of the ocean lulls you to sleep. Awesome!

For average people like many of us, Agate Street Beach is a delightful and scenic, narrow sand playground which is broken up by huge rock formations where people like to plant a beach chair to read and relax, play a game of Frisbee or surf. The beach is just off Pacific Coast Highway but feels like a world away. Agate Street Beach which allows surfing is north Pearl Street Beach and Arch Rock where the activity isn't permitted. Pay attention to flags and signs when you try to surf and see the black ball image which means surfing has been nixed, usually from Noon to 5 p.m. during summer months mid June to mid September.

Parking: Find a spot in the neighborhood, across PCH or wherever you can manage one. If it's metered, definitely pay attention and keep "the kitty" fed. Parking tickets aren't cheap, and can ruin your day.