Laguna Main Beach

The city of Laguna Beach boasts of over seven miles of wonderfully scenic coastline. Expensive real estate may line the cliff tops, but the best places, the beautiful beaches and coves, are totally free.

At just over a mile long, Main Beach is the longest stretch of sand in Laguna Beach. It’s situated bang in the middle of town. The beach doesn’t have a specific parking lot, but it’s fairly easy to find somewhere to park close-by (but nearly all spots are metered). One good place is along Cliff Drive (at the north end of the beach).

The beach offers ample facilities, including showers and restrooms. There are always lifeguards on duty – they’ve been serving the beach since 1929 (it was just as popular way back then), and their headquarters are in the iconic white lifeguard tower, located at the back of the beach.

The golden sand shelves all the way into the ocean, fairly steeply in places. The waves can be large and powerful, making it a great beach for skim boarders, boogie boarders and surfers. But beware, as dangerous riptides can overwhelm the weak swimmer. Board surfing is not permitted in some areas of the main beach during the summer months.

A wide boardwalk winds behinds the beach. Later on in the day, artists, musicians and street performers set up along the boardwalk, making for an entertaining evening stroll.

If you’re intending to vacation at Laguna beach, it makes sense to pick from the wide range of hotels situated actually on the beach. It’s then a simple stroll to the sands, and you don’t have the hassle of finding (and paying) for parking.

Best of Laguna's other beaches

Crescent Beach North Laguna. Marine refuge offers fabulous snorkeling and scuba diving. Big well-shaped waves ideal for surfing and boogie-boarding. About 120 yards out from the beach lies Seal Rock, a favorite basking place for seals and sea lions (but access not allowed).

Victoria Beach South Laguna. Situated below Victoria Street. A pretty beach featuring a quaint tower. This was built in 1926 to house spiral-staircase access to the beach from the cliff top.

Table Rock Beach South Laguna. A gorgeous and secluded sandy cove hidden at the foot of an old wooden staircase at the end of Table Rock Drive.