Laguna Beach Beaches are Beautiful

When visiting Orange County you need to drive the coast to see the variety of beaches spanning approximately 40 miles between Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. Among our favorites are the uniquely formed beaches of Laguna Beach. They're different than most as they are often found at the base of mountains and hilly terrain, thus being more intimate and isolated stretches set in coves. There are more than 30 beaches, coves and parks in Laguna Beach.

Here are 26 beaches with names, North to South

Crescent Bay 1/4th mile in length, you'll find it at Cliff Drive & North Coast Highway. Sandy shores marked by bookend sections of rocks with the landmark Seal Rock approx. 120 yards offshore. You'll often see seals and sea lions basking on the rock, thus its name.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Skimboarding | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling | Restrooms | Showers

Shaw's Cove at the base of Fairview Street in about 500 feet in length, featuring diving in the cove (west side.)Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Boat Canyon / Fisherman's Cove is around 400 feet long with access via stairs next to the Diver's Cove Condos. There's a drop off approx. 5 feet from shore, and the beach itself disappears during high tide. Splash Rock is dangerous for swimming, but popular with trained divers.
Swimming | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Diver's Cove is approx. 300 feet in length, adjoining Picnic Beach to the south. This popular, family friendly beach during high tides or surf conditions closes at the rocks & point.
Surfing | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling | Restrooms

Rockpile Beach is approx. 700 feet long. Located at the south end of Heisler Park, it offers excellent tidepool viewing. The ocean floor here is primarily rock, and during very low tides some are able to get close and personal to the sanctuary, Bird Rock.
Surfing | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Restrooms

Main Beach is the anchor beach to downtown Laguna Beach. It's the most visible "eye candy" travelers on Coast Highway can see as they drive through South Orange County. Most often they'll stop their vehicle at a traffic light where Broadway and Ocean Avenues intersect Coast Highway and while sitting there waiting, will notice the landmark Lifeguard Tower, a small boardwalk running the length of the beach, a playground and basketball courts.
Volleyball Courts | Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling | Restrooms | Showers | Playground

Sleepy Hollow Beach

South of Legion & Pacific Coast Highway, a stairway on Sleepy Hollow Lane offers access to a beach that's within reach of guests staying at Pacific Edge Hotel. There's a reef at the southern end of the beach where you'll see body surfers enjoying the wave-rides.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Cleo Street Beach
Many spot the wreckage of the 50+ year-old Cleo Street Barge approx. 200 yards offshore, at a beach at the end of Cleo Street, close to downtown dining and shops.
Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Skimboarding | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

St. Ann's Beach
This rock reef features one area with a sand bottom, ideal for swimming.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Thalia Street Beach
Pay attention to the Thalia Street Surf Shop to find this surfing beach down a set of stairs. Voila! You're there.
Surfing | Skimboarding | Stand Up Paddling 

Anita Street Beach
Past the surf flag at the northern end of the beach beyond Thalia, guests can swim here.
Swimming

Oak Street Beach
Parts of Oak Street Beach extend into Anita Street Beach north of it. The entire stretch of beach has a rocky bottom and there's a visible reef originating from Brooks Street Beach.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Brooks Street Beach
The entire bottom of this beach is a rocky reef visible at low tides. No swimming here, folks. This is for the surf crowd.
Surfing | Stand Up Paddling

Cress Street Beach
This hidden gem is not so easy to see or find. Just head down the street toward the beach, then look for a set of stairs taking you to the sand stretch. You'll enjoy seeing the interesting rock formations.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Surfing | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Mountain Street Beach
Surrounded by Cress Street Beach to the north and Bluebird Beach to the south, this secluded beach is a treat where you'll get to see the locals hang out. Don't ignore the hidden dangers of the submerged rocks here.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Skimboarding | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Bluebird Beach 
Bluebird Beach is in front of the Surf and Sand Hotel at the base of Bluebird Canyon with Inn at Laguna Beach nearby. The ramp that leads down to the beach is located at the corner of South Coast Highway and Bluebird Canyon. Bluebird Beach is named for bluebirds that used to frequent the beach and may still be seen in Bluebird Canyon. Bluebird Beach is mostly a sandy stretch offering a strong shore break popular with body surfers. There are several small reefs on the southern end of the beach. Painters who find Laguna an artist's paradise never know what to expect, but are fond of the sunsets here that can range from brilliant and bold to muted tones.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Skimboarding | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Agate Street Beach
This popular beach offers surfing seasonally and at less trafficked hours so that visitors remain safe. Check for the black ball flags signaling no surfing.
Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Surfing | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Pearl Street Beach
With reefs at the north and south ends of popular Pearl Street Beach, Arch Rock is a defining landmark. There's no diving allowed off the rock. You'll find the beach down a set of stairs, but most often you can see people heading there.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling

Wood's Cove / Lover's Cove
Go figure! There are two coves that form this beach which is small and not accessible at high tide, but with all that in mind, it remains one of Laguna's most popular go-to beaches, sometimes with crowds.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling

Moss Point
Even smaller than Wood's Cove Beach, Moss Point Beach doesn't hold many people during prime conditions at low tide. The secluded cove north of Rockledge is accessed from Moss Street.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling

Victoria Beach
South Laguna Beach's Victoria Beach features the funky & iconic medieval-looking tower built in 1926. Guests at nearby Christmas Cove Beach to the south can get a glimpse of the tower as they sunbathe. Fun stuff.
Volleyball Courts | Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Skimboarding | Stand Up Paddling | Diving, Snorkeling

Christmas Cove
You don't have to book a room at Montage Resort to enjoy this public beach known as Christmas Cove. Much care went into making sure new resorts and lodgings didn't discourage locals and tourists from enjoying the same treasured beaches that paying guests enjoy. The landscaping and terraced paths make this one of the easiest to access for those with mobility issues. The beach is a mix of sand stretches and rock reefs.
Swimming | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling

Goff Cove
Between Christmas Cove and Treasure Island, Goff Cove at the beginning of the public park features a set of stairs. Among the set of coves beneath the hilltop Montage Resort located on Pacific Coast Highway, the beach has a rocky bottom.
Swimming | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling

Treasure Island
Treasure Island offers the biggest swath of sand for those looking to tan at the beaches near Montage Resort in South Laguna Beach. Visitors like going here, thanks to amenities such as restrooms and showers that aren't widely available at the majority of Laguna's neighborhood beaches.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Kayaking | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling | Restrooms | Showers

Aliso Beach Park
Operated by Orange County Parks, this is the only Laguna beach that offers fire pits, a highly desirable amenity among beach-goers. The parking is better than most, and the playground is perfect for families with kids. You can stand at the beach and see Montage Resort to the north.
Swimming | Surfing | Tide Pools | Fire Pits, Restrooms | Showers | Playground

West Street Beach
While some call it Laguna's gay beach, all are welcome to visit -- and they do!
Volleyball | Swimming | Skimboarding | Diving, Snorkeling

Thousand Steps Beach
Directly across the street from 9th Street & South Coast Highway, this hidden beach seems like it has a thousand steps to maneuver for access. In reality, you're looking at approx. 218 steps. Look for a sign to guide you to this expansive beach spanning approx. 7 blocks! Our relatives in South Laguna hang out here when they go to the beach. Cliffs are to the right & left.
Volleyball | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Surfing | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling | Restrooms

Table Rock
The beach is cut in half by the flat rock from which it draws its name. While lifeguards may prohibit you from climbing and exploring the rock formations, some days and times you'll be able to do so. Table Rock is considered Laguna Beach's southernmost beach, with Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point nearby.
Swimming | Body Surfing & Body Boarding | Skimboarding | Stand Up Paddling | Tide Pools | Diving, Snorkeling