Things to Do
We arrived in Laguna Beach expecting a typical Orange County beach town and found an artist colony unlike anywhere else on the California coast. Within an hour of checking in, we had wandered into three galleries on Pacific Coast Highway, watched a plein air painter working on the bluffs above Main Beach, and learned that this one-mile stretch of coastline is home to over 100 galleries and studios. The First Thursdays Art Walk (free, year-round, 6-9 PM) was the perfect introduction — galleries pour wine, artists explain their process, and the whole town takes on a festive energy that feels genuinely communal rather than touristy.
Thousand Steps Beach became our favorite hidden cove. The name is an exaggeration — we counted closer to 218 steps — but the descent down the wooden staircase carved into the cliff opens onto a stunning crescent of sand flanked by sea caves and rock formations. At low tide, we explored tidepools teeming with sea anemones, hermit crabs, and tiny purple sea urchins. The beach never felt crowded even in July, mostly because the stair climb discourages casual visitors. Bring a towel, water, and snacks — there are no facilities at the bottom and you will not want to make the climb back up for a forgotten lunch.
Crystal Cove State Park was worth an entire day on its own. We hiked the Moro Canyon Loop (3.5 miles, moderate) in the morning through sage scrub and coastal canyon, then spent the afternoon at the park’s beach exploring the historic Crystal Cove Beach Cottages — a cluster of 1930s-1950s cottages that have been restored and can be rented for overnight stays ($42-250/night, book six months ahead). The Beachcomber Cafe ($18-26 entrees) at the base of the bluff serves fresh seafood with waves crashing just feet from the patio. We lingered over fish tacos and a local IPA and watched pelicans dive-bomb schools of anchovies.
Where to Stay
Laguna Beach hotels command premium prices in summer, but the tradeoff is proximity to some of the most beautiful coastline in Southern California. The Inn at Laguna Beach ($300-500/night) delivered the best location we found — perched directly above Main Beach with a rooftop pool and rooms where the ocean sounds lulled us to sleep. We splurged for two nights and have zero regrets. The complimentary beach chairs and towels saved us the hassle of hauling gear.
For a mid-range option, we recommend the Holiday Inn Laguna Beach ($180-260/night), which is about a ten-minute walk from Main Beach but offers free parking (a genuine perk in a town where meters and lots cost $5-15/day). The rooms are straightforward but clean, and the outdoor pool is a welcome retreat after a day of beach-hopping. Another strong mid-range pick is the Art Hotel ($200-300/night), a gallery-meets-boutique-hotel concept where every room features original art from local artists.
Budget travelers face a challenge in Laguna Beach — there are no hostels and even motels run $140+ in summer. Our best advice is to look at vacation rentals slightly outside of town in neighboring Dana Point or San Clemente, where rates are 30-40% lower. The free trolley runs between Laguna Beach neighborhoods in summer (mid-June through Labor Day), making it possible to stay on the northern or southern ends of town and still reach the central beaches without worrying about parking.
Where to Eat
Laguna Beach dining leans toward fresh seafood and farm-to-table California cuisine, and the quality impressed us at nearly every price point. Nick’s Laguna Beach was our top dinner spot — the lobster roll ($24) was piled generously with butter-poached tail meat and the cioppino ($28) was a rich, tomato-based stew loaded with mussels, clams, and shrimp. We sat on the outdoor patio as the sun set over the Pacific and it was one of those meals where the food and setting combine into something genuinely memorable.
For casual lunch, we hit The Stand ($8-14) almost daily. This no-frills natural food counter has been feeding Laguna locals since 1975 with veggie burgers, fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, and acai bowls. The avocado and sprout sandwich ($10) on house-baked bread became our go-to beach fuel. Nearby, Carmelita’s Kitchen ($14-20 entrees) serves outstanding Mexican food — their fish tacos with mango salsa ($16) and handmade tamales ($14) are the real deal, not the Americanized versions you find at most beach-town Mexican joints.
Breakfast at Zinc Cafe ($12-18) set the tone for our mornings. This airy, art-filled space in the heart of downtown serves organic omelets, housemade granola, and some of the best lattes ($5.50) in town. We loved the veggie scramble ($16) loaded with roasted peppers, goat cheese, and herbs from their garden. On weekends the wait can stretch to 30 minutes, but the coffee bar serves walk-up drinks so you can sip and browse the neighboring gallery while you wait for a table.
Getting Around
One of Laguna Beach’s greatest charms is its walkability. The entire town center runs along about a mile of Pacific Coast Highway, with galleries, restaurants, and beach access points clustered tightly together. We parked our car on arrival and barely used it for three days. Main Beach, the galleries, and most restaurants are all within a 15-minute walk of each other, and the sidewalks are well-maintained and pedestrian-friendly.
Parking, however, is the one genuine headache. Street meters run $1-2/hour and are nearly impossible to find in summer. The city lots along PCH charge $5-15/day depending on the season. Our best strategy was to park at the free lot at the Festival of Arts ($0 except during festival weeks) and walk the half-mile downhill into town. Several hotels charge $25-35/night for parking, so factor that into your accommodation budget.
The free summer trolley is a lifesaver from mid-June through Labor Day. It runs three routes connecting the major beaches, hotels, and shopping areas from 9 AM to midnight on a loop schedule. We used it to hop between Thousand Steps Beach in the south and Crystal Cove in the north without ever moving our car. Outside of summer, Lyft and Uber are readily available with rides within town running $8-12. For exploring beyond Laguna, the Pacific Coast Highway is a gorgeous drive in either direction — we took it north to Crystal Cove and south to Dana Point Harbor for whale watching, both within a 10-minute drive.