Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is a seaside resort city that is much more than a beach town. The city is nestled amongst rolling hills and valleys overlooking the shoreline with great beaches, shops, restaurants and art galleries - giving it a distinct French Riviera allure.

Laguna Beach is a great destination for a family looking to escape the heat of the inland cities or for couples strolling along Cliff Drive overlooking the ocean.

Along with great beaches, hiking trails and tide pool explorations, the city is famous for its artist community with plenty of art galleries and festivals.

During the summer months make sure to visit the Festival of Arts or the Sawdust Art Festival – or both.  The Festival of Art is an arts show that gathers over 150 artists from Southern California to show off their handiwork.  The Sawdust Art Festival is an artist village that gets rebuilt every year from the ground up and features art exhibits, family entertainment, workshops and food.

When you are not visiting festivals and art galleries try the Cliff Drive walk.  This walk takes you along the bluffs overlooking several coves with stunning ocean views. The trick is to find a place to park. There are several parking spots along Cliff drive. You may have to park further away from Cliff drive and walk back. Another alternative is to park in one of the city parking areas around Broadway or Ocean then walk back to Cliff drive.

The best place to start your stroll along Cliff drive is at the intersection of High drive and Cliff – close to Diver’s Cove stairway.

The three-quarters mile walk mainly meanders through Heisler Park which, in my opinion, commands the best views of the ocean from any Southern California beach town.  It is perched high up the bluffs, with several pathways leading to small secluded coves. On the ocean facing side of the park, follow a foot path that dips under the main bluff level to give you even greater views of the ocean and the beach far below. You can find several picnic tables with Barbeques and plenty of green lawn to have your picnic or lounge around. 
Towards the south end of Heisler park, Cliff drive veers left into shops and residences and crosses PCH. You want to stay to the right where you can find a gazebo overlooking the ocean with a spectacular 360 degrees view.

The park is home to a large variety of shade trees, cactus, sage brush, palms and flower species.

Right on that corner you will also find one of my favorite restaurants: Las Bresas. See the article about Las Bresas in the “Where to eat” section.

Between the Gazebo and the restaurant there is a foot path going down to the “Main Beach” area.  Once you reach the bottom of the path, you are at one of the most popular beaches in SoCal.

From there, you have several choices to make:  Continue your walk along the boardwalk and then down on the sand along the beach; Stake a spot on the sand and have fun with the kids; leave the beach area into town – where you can find shops, galleries and restaurants; or head back up the path for the return trip.

If you decide to visit Main Beach, keep in mind that it is one of the busiest beaches in OC. It’s soft sands, average surf, amentias, pet friendliness and proximity to food and shopping are big attractions. Also available on the beach: restrooms; showers; tidepools at the north end; playground; basketball courts; boardwalk. Close by you will find beach rental shops.

631 Cliff Dr
Laguna Beach, CA 92651