Heisler Park is one of the most beautiful oceanfront parks in Southern California. The views here…read moreare absolutely stunning. There are scenic paths along the cliffs, palm trees, tide pools, small hidden beaches, and incredible sunsets -- all in one place. It's a perfect spot for a relaxing walk by the ocean. I especially like coming here around sunset. The light over the ocean is beautiful and it's a great place for photos or just to sit and enjoy the view. There are also grassy areas that are perfect for a small picnic while watching the ocean. Parking is usually metered nearby, but the park itself is free to visit. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Laguna Beach.

This is part of the Laguna Beach walking path.... Beautiful views. Very clean…read more Please be respectful of the tide pools. There are signs everywhere. Please read.

Snorkeling at Shaw's Cove was such a blast. You enter the water on the right side along the shore,…read moreand while there's an underwater arch you can swim through, that's more for the confident or better equipped snorkelers & divers. Visibility was pretty solid, and we spotted several fish cruising around. The waves were calm and totally manageable, which made it relaxing instead of stressful. There's also a vigilant lifeguard on duty, which adds a nice layer of peace of mind. Even if you're not snorkeling, it's a great spot to hang out and sunbathe. Seaweed was around but not overwhelming, definitely not like swimming through a kelp jungle.

Best beach in Laguna for sunrises! Easy to access and park and always completely empty in the AM…read more Love this beach, as someone born and raised in Orange County, this beach is a "secret gem" most tourists and people do not overcrowd.

Discovered this cute little beach the other day. Based on the other reviews, it truly depends on…read morewhen you're visiting. I visited this place on a beautiful Wednesday midday in February, and there were very few people there. It's a short walk from Diamond Street all the way down. There are stairs that provide you access to the beach. When we first got there, it was a little cloudy, and as the sun came out, the beach got even prettier. At the time I went, the beach was very clean and well-maintained. Since it's a smaller beach, there are no restrooms. It's really just a space to hang out and enjoy the waves while sitting on the sand. It was a super relaxing experience for me, and I can't wait to come back sometime.

Woods Cove is amazing. This has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. From the…read moregardens at the top of the steps to the sand below to the clear waters, Woods Cove is amazing.

Thousand Steps Beach is gorgeous and the cave makes it totally worth all of the steps down to it…read more There are only about 219 steps (not a thousand). The steps are no joke though. They are pretty steep and concrete. I wouldn't recommend them for little kids. Make sure you go at low tide. They close the cave area when the tide comes in. The cave is on the far left side of the beach. You have to go over rocks to get there. It can be slippery. There were lifeguards on duty. It's so fun to explore inside the cave. We parked on PCH. There is no parking lot. I definitely recommend going in the morning. It's hard to find parking if you try to go in the afternoon/evening on a weekend/holiday. There is a crosswalk and stoplight at 9th Ave. to cross PCH and then the entrance is right there. There is a bathroom, but it is the typical beach bathroom--not very clean. There's a volleyball net on the left side of the beach. There are no restaurants/cafes. Bring whatever you want with you.

1000 Steps Beach in Laguna Beach (off PCH and 9th) is absolutely worth the visit! First off, don't…read morelet the name intimidate you, the stairs are not literally 1000 steps one way or even round trip... unless you decide to go up and down a few times, then yeah, you'll definitely hit that number!! We went on a Monday and it was pretty busy lots of college-aged people, maybe even some high schoolers, but the beach itself still felt pretty secluded, and there were hardly any kids around maybe like a handful of them. It was overcast when we went, which actually made it perfect, not too hot and super comfortable. Parking is street parking only, just make sure to read the signs carefully. Once you head down, you'll find restrooms and showers right at the bottom of the stairs, which is super convenient. The restroom is clean earlier in the day (before noon), but like most beach spots, it gets a bit wet as the day goes on. There's plenty of space to set up and relax. One thing to watch out for--seagulls! They will go after your food, so definitely cover it with towels if you're hopping in the water. The stairs themselves are pretty narrow, and people usually stick to one side going down and the other going up, so just be mindful and take your time, they tend to also get wet as the day goes on so it's a little slippery.

Laguna Beach is probably the closest beach for a casual afternoon leisure time. I picked an area…read morethat's off the beaten path today. Less people, just the sound of crashing waves and me. As I walked on the beach taking in all those houses along the way, I found myself reasonably happy to be a short driving distance away so I can enjoy the beach when I feel like it, but not having to deal with prices and taxes of beach front properties and traffic of the canyon.

Beautiful beach area!! Great views and little shops to walk around. Traffic can we horrible…read morethough getting in and out of town since there is limited access. There is always people out and about. I do take my tourists here for a visit. Free trolley is fun if you have time. Watch out for parking signs. SYOY!

Victoria Beach is one of many hidden or secret beaches in Orange County. This is an extremely…read morepopular spot for photoshoot and there were tons of people coming here with their professional photographers. [Where is the beach]: Use the pin on Yelp's map as the guidance as the pin on the Google Map misled our party to a completely different beach. This hidden beach has two entrance - one via Dumond Dr (116 Dumond Dr) and one near the intersection of Victoria Dr & Sunset Terrace (2703 Victoria Dr). Please note that the entrance via Dumond Dr is under construction so it's easier to enter by taking the stairways near 2703 Victoria Dr. [Parking]: There's a street sign telling visitors to park on PCH and not residential streets. Unfortunately all parking on PCH is street parking only and our party got a bit lucky finding a spot near The Drake (2894 S Coast Hwy) - fall season so less crowd. [Dogs]: Dogs are allowed BEFORE 9:00 AM and AFTER 6:00 PM from June 15 - September 10. Dogs are allowed during regular beach hours from September 11 - June 14. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. [What to see]: Unlike other beaches in Orange County, there's actually a structure called the Pirate Tower and apparently it was built in 1926 for the family of William E. Brown (a state senator representing California's 37th district). [Conclusion]: I personally still prefer Table Rock Beach a bit better than Victoria Beach due to slightly easier parking, easier to navigate, and prettier beach, but the pirate tower is certainly unique.

My boyfriend wanted to take me to Victoria Beach while we were wandering around PCH cause he knows…read moreI like good views. We initially tried to drive by and find parking but a majority of the area had no parking signs up, since it's a residential area. I actually didn't even see the entrance when we were driving around. It was later on when we were hanging out on the Laguna Beach Trolley that we decided to make another attempt at Victoria Beach. We walked down the slope into the residential area and suddenly a narrow stairway appears. Super hidden area. Your efforts would be rewarded if you make the trek down because it is a stunningggg beach with barely any other people there. If you're brave you can walk across these bumpy rocks and visit the Victoria Pirate Tower. It's closed off so you won't be able to enter the tower but it's still neat to see. It's a pretty small beach and is tricky to get to, but if you enjoy beach views and dislike crowds, this trek would be worth it for you. And please keep in mind this beach is a state marine reserve, so please don't take any animals, shells or rocks with you.

Crescent Bay. This is my all time favorite beach. The summers suck because all the outsiders come…read more The beach turns into a disaster, as trash and junk is left behind. During the off season, this is the place to be. With certain conditions, the brakes allow for great body.Surfing. this is also one of the places if I come too daily for a long swim.to main beach The tide pools are gone, just like the abalone that used to thrive here. Beautiful sunsets and different fishes, dolphins, and sea lions still make this.My favourite beach on the planet.

Possibly romantic and beautiful with the magical timing of warm breezes, finding this tiny sand…read morestrip empty, and watching the sun sink into the west, but for my vacation solo adventure on the windiest and coldest February, well, not quite. I do like the tidy suburban hideout but again, if you are with more than two people, find a bigger beach!

Parking is $20 now. The beach is beautiful. Lots of hiking trails to explore, tide pools or a short…read morewalk down to the beach. The trail down to the beach is very short and steep in a couple lots. Some areas in the northern parking lots have a long boardwalk you can walk down and tide pools. There are several parking lots so you need to figure out what you want to do and which lot to park in for your needs. The parking lot closest to beachcomber they don't allow any parking unless you are handicapped for the restaurant. Don't really know why, it's a state run park.

This state beach is my personal favorite. We stay down the street at Marriott Newport Villas. They…read morehave a shuttle service that brings you directly to the Entrance. Today, we came to eat lunch at the restaurant so we had to find parking. The only problem is there isn't parking close to it. You have to park in a lot across the street and walk about 10 minutes. They have a tunnel for pedestrians but it was washed out from the rain today. They have a restaurant shuttle that charges $5 a person even if you are eating at the restaurant which I thought was a rip off. The beach itself is a nice mix of rocks where' the tide pools are and sand where you can swim. The cottages along the way have a bit of history and recently been renovated. I absolutely love walking through this long stretch of beach! They also have a museum near the rental cottages. It is small but has some fun facts and pictures.