20 Great Things To Do In Laguna Beach | Top Laguna Beach Things to Do

The first time I drove down Pacific Coast Highway into Laguna Beach, I was overwhelmed by its beautiful beauty. Of doubt, the beach is the most famous attraction in Laguna, but this picturesque coastal city has so much more to offer.

Other natural wonders of Laguna Beach include quiet beaches, rolling mountains, canyons, and two state parks with mountain biking routes and an assortment of pure vegetation.

Laguna Beach is a great weekend away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles or the Orange Coast, which is why it is a favorite destination for visitors and residents looking for a quiet weekend.

But, how you spend your time after you arrive is entirely up to you. But you’ll still need some recommendations for all the fun things to do in Laguna Beach. Indeed, it is what makes this Southern California beach town so enticing: the activities are as many as the breathtaking vistas at every turn of the coast.

See a performance at Laguna Playhouse or drink cocktails while listening to the waves crash on the beach at The Shack. This fantastic Laguna Beach hotel package bargain has something for everyone. I set aside a week to explore Laguna Beach, which proved to be more than enough time for all of the things I had planned. So here are my top recommendations.

The Top 20 Things to Do in Laguna Beach

Go to Heisler Park.

Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, +19494970716375

Heisler Park in Laguna Beach is a beautiful, family-friendly park. Heisler Park, located north of Main Beach between Aster Street and Divers Cove, is a serene haven for locals and tourists, including beaches, walking paths, picnic tables, and grills. Tourists may also visit the several courses adjacent to the park, which are located high above Laguna Beach.

Heisler Park in Laguna Beach is a dog lover’s delight, complete with a dedicated space for walking your pet and a dog beach. Heislers not only meets the criteria for a great spot to exercise a dog, but it also provides picnic tables with the most gorgeous seaside view. The Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club is also located in the park.

Pay a visit to the Laguna Art Museum.

Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, +19494948971307

The Laguna Beach Art Museum was established to meet the demand in Laguna Beach for a permanent facility to showcase and conserve local art. The Laguna Beach Art Association was the museum’s original name when it first opened on California Coast Highway in 1930. A collaborative endeavor of local individuals, the present facility debuted in 1929.

Laguna Beach has a lengthy history of art collecting. During the first few months following Laguna’s birth, artists from all over the globe were drawn to the beautiful surroundings and excellent creative setting. Several prominent painters live and work in this unusual environment near galleries and museums in California.

Like other Southern California art museums, the museum often hosts temporary exhibits and one-person shows. There are also several options for visitors to meet artists and participate in talks.

Ride the Laguna Beach Trolley

Laguna Beach, +19494970766339 Broadway St

The trolley is free and runs between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. throughout the peak summer season and holidays (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day). In general, municipal transit is available until 9 p.m. Depending on the time of year, it may start running sooner.

Take a trip on the Laguna Beach Trolley if you want to explore the beauty of Laguna Beach. A trolley service operates along the citys shoreline and into certain business districts. It’s a wonderful way to travel about Laguna, whether you’re riding with friends or family. A one-day, three-day, or week pass may be purchased.

Go to the Pageant of the Masters.

Laguna Beach, +19494941145650 Laguna Canyon Road

At the Pageant of the Masters, actual individuals perform as original artwork for a 90-minute stage event. The Laguna Beach Art Festival is generally held on the first Saturday of July. They may be consumed shortly after. It’s a fun and engaging way to be stimulated by art of all kinds in twenty-minute intervals.

The fee is just $5 per person (with a discount if you purchase two or three tickets) and parking is free. These performances are simple to spot since they take place in Laguna Beach every year from the beginning of July until Labor Day Weekend.

I enjoyed the Pageant of the Masters because it was a delightful, peaceful, and fascinating way to spend a day in Laguna Beach, my favorite place on the west coast.

Have fun at Crescent Bay Point Park.

Crescent Bay Dr, Laguna Beach, CA +19494970716

Crescent Bay Point Park is one of Laguna Beach’s often-overlooked yet stunning beaches. This beach is one of my favorites since it has an outstanding lagoon that is ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Crystal Cove Caves, a marine reserve with tidal pools and secret tunnels ideal for children to explore, may be reached by crossing the bridge at the far end of the parking lot.

It’s a terrific spot to take the whole family. The park, however, does not have any bathrooms.

A hiking route above the cliff also provides beautiful views of the ocean. If you make it to the summit, you will be rewarded with an amazing 360-degree vista and breathtaking landscape.

Attend the Sawdust Art and Craft Fair.

Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, +19494943030935

Check out the Sawdust Art Festival if you’re seeking for entertaining things to do in Laguna Beach. The Sawdust Art Festival, a family tradition since 1950, honors art via handcrafted artifacts. Almost 400 Southern California craftspeople are represented by more than 120 artists.

Artists came from as far afield as New York and Hawaii to exhibit their work at Southern California’s biggest artisan expo.

The Sawdust Art Festival brings together artists, craftworkers, collectors, producers, and tourists who all contribute to the world of art.

As you wander the festival grounds, which comprise 30 acres and an adjacent city block, youll see innumerable booths and tents set up side by side to offer the distinctive handcrafted works of artists.

Live music and entertainment are available in one of the four outdoor cafs or the saloon, which also serves beverages.

The Murphy-Smith Heritage Bungalow is a must-see.

Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach, +19494976834278

The Murphy-Smith Bungalow is a piece of Laguna Beach history. The house was constructed in 1923 as the family home of Robert Murphy by famed Laguna Beach architects Charles and Henry Greene. It was standardized in order to be commercially offered to other families.

A veranda wraps around the north side of the structure, encircling a two-story stucco home with a low-pitched gable roof. Now, it is managed by the Laguna Beach Historical Society, and docents offer tours so that tourists may witness this piece of history.

Thus, if you like history and gorgeous bungalows, don’t miss this Laguna Beach destination.

In Victoria Beach, you can unwind.

92651 Laguna Beach

There are several recreational opportunities at Victoria Beach, and there is even a lifeguard station in the parking lot! It takes around 10 minutes to go from Victoria Beach to Laguna’s most well-known Main Beach, which is situated in the downtown area.

After crossing PCH, turn right on S. Victoria Blvd. until you reach South Laguna Blvd. The beach will be on your left after 1.7 kilometers. Going along South Laguna will also need a left turn at Ocean Avenue rather than continuing on to Crystal Cove.

This beautiful beach offers a plethora of exciting activities. You may walk along the Victoria Promenade on Victoria Drive. The promenade, a lovely walking route that zigzags down the shore, ends at Main Beach.

The promenade also runs past the iconic Victorian Tower, which was erected in 1886 as a marker for ships passing along the coast.

Attend a Performance at the Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach +19494972787606

The Laguna Playhouse has excellent seating for everyone, from the orchestra to the balcony to the floor.

It’s the ideal spot to bring your kids, created in an art deco style that recalls its Hollywood roots. There are no terrible seats since the stage is visible from every angle.

Laguna Playhouse presents world-class plays, comedies, and shows for children. For over ninety years, the Playhouse has delighted audiences all around the globe, and it is currently housed in a lovely coastal complex with outstanding outdoor amphitheaters.

The Laguna Playhouse offers a variety of activities in Laguna Beach, including live theatrical performances and comedy acts.

Visit the Main Beach Park.

Laguna Beach, +19494973311Broadway St & Pacific Coast Highway

If you can only visit one California beach, make it Main Beach. It is situated in Laguna Beach at the intersection of Broadway Street and Coast Highway.

Main Beach’s 1929 lifeguard tower is a well-known feature on this popular beach. Main Beach is well-known for its sand and waves, as well as for swimming, body surfing, and paddleboarding.

Main Beach is also one of the greatest sites in Laguna Beach to watch a volleyball game. This has been the site of several volleyball tournaments and leagues for many years.

There are also beach volleyball courts where people compete on a regular basis. Therefore, the next time you’re in town, stop by Main Beach and discover why so many people love this multi-use beach.

Pay a visit to Thousand Steps Beach.

Laguna Beach, +1949497331131972 Coast Highway

Thousand Steps Beach is a beautiful length of beach sheltered by two big cliffs that is ideal for relaxing and playing in the sea and sand. The beach receives its name from the roughly 1,000 stairs that go down to the coastline.

These stairs begin on the southern side of the beach at 9th Avenue and Ocean Avenue.

During the winter months, this remote beach includes a narrowboat ramp and a walk that leads to a guarded, bluff-top observation platform where tourists may see whales breach. The water is chilly and deep here, making it only appropriate for experienced ocean swimmers. The beach is also known as Gaviota Beach or Glorietta Bay.

During low tide, a massive cave near the southern end of the beach has an exposed entrance. You may stroll to a little beach via the cave.

The Aliso Beach

92651 Laguna Beach

The Aliso Beach Park is the ideal area to spend time with family and friends. The surf on this vast sandy beach is moderate. Aliso Beach features outdoor showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, chairs, grills, and fire rings for a fun day at the beach. The beach also hosts the yearly world championship of skimboarding, and you’re likely to see skimmers practicing once you arrive.

Several animal species, including the kelp flycatcher, snowy plover, monarch butterflies, deer moose, and many kinds of shorebirds, find sanctuary in a massive rock structure above the shoreline. Climbers often ascend the cliffs in quest of the fabled Monarch Butterfly.

There are sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and a playground to keep you entertained, and they are all free. Nonetheless, certain exceptional events do charge admission.

Check out the Kush Fine Art Gallery.

Laguna Beach, +19493768017210A Forest Ave

Apart from its aesthetic appeal, Kush Fine Arts is notable for its functionality. The art collection of Kush Fine Arts is wonderfully displayed in a spacious area with a spiral staircase and wide-open walls.

It’s a location where you may add to your collection or add a new touch to your home design. Besides from the big exhibition space, simple equipped rooms for parties, celebrations, and private viewings are available for hire.

People are honored at this site. Its an escape from the day-to-day spiral and an opportunity for creative expression.

The Kush Fine Art Gallery is where art becomes accessible to people who respect it but believe they will never be able to make it on their own, and where you may expand your mind while enjoying the tranquility that it brings.

Wilderness Park on the Laguna Coast

Laguna Beach, +1949923223518751 Laguna Canyon Road

I traveled to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, situated in Orange County, with a buddy on a Sunday afternoon. Laguna Canyon Road goes to our location from the Pacific Coast Highway. The trailhead was roughly five minutes distant after exiting Laguna Canyon along a side dirt road, according to the sign.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, located in a picturesque canyon, is Orange County’s most popular destination. This 7,000-acre park has over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails that take visitors through a variety of ecosystems, including oak, sycamore, and willow forests, chaparral deserts, and groves of coastal live oak trees.

Several diverse creatures live in the park, including birds, bobcats, deer, hawks, weasels, and others. In addition to canyons and hills, this park is Orange County’s only one featuring natural lakes.

Hortense Miller Garden

Laguna Beach, California 92651, USA

As someone who enjoys spending time outside, I was immediately fascinated when a friend told me about the Hortense Miller Garden. Situated in Laguna Beach, one is exposed to the views, sounds, textures, and even scents of the ocean, interior valleys, and gardens developed on slopes overlooking the sea and surrounded by eucalyptus trees.

I spent a whole day in the Hortense Miller Garden. During the Farmers Market, there was a garden sale with different plants for customers who wish to acquire a bit of nature for their homes or yards. It was a true Southern California gem hidden away near Laguna Beach. I had to look for it for quite some time, but it was definitely worth it!

You must schedule a free time slot ahead of time and know what time to arrive. Then, give yourself plenty of time to view everything. They take excellent care of the whole facility. The landscaping is almost surreal.

Laguna Canyon Vineyards serves wine.

Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, +194971594632133

Laguna Canyon Winery is located near San Juan Capistrano. The Rancho del Lago is the name of the institution. The hacienda, one of the biggest privately held Mexican haciendas, has been handed down through five generations.

Laguna Canyon Cheese Company converted the hacienda from a livestock ranch to a cheese production. The Lafond Family bought the site in 2003 and built Laguna Canyon Winery a year later.

Laguna Canyon Wine Co. is a family-owned winery that produces artisan quality wines from grapes farmed in the Napa and Sonoma valleys. These sorts of home winemakers have been popular for almost a decade.

Several of Laguna Beach’s high-quality wines are available at local restaurants, delis, and wine shops.

Take part in the Whale Festival.

Dana Point, California, United States

Dana Point is a vibrant community near Laguna Beach on Southern California’s rocky coast. Whales Annual Festival is held at Dana Point, commonly known as Whale Bay. It is a popular destination for travelers who want to surf and see dolphins and whales. Hundreds of people from all across the country attend this event.

During the two-week event, more than 200 different varieties of whales may be seen off the shore of Dana Point. Educational exhibitions, maritime sports such as snorkeling and kayaking, and other activities are among the celebrations.

Ecological Reserve Glenn E. Vedder

Laguna Beach, California, USA, Divers Cove

Vedder Ecological Reserve is part of the Laguna Beach Ecological Reserve, situated between Main Beach and Divers Cove. The park’s objective includes the preservation and enhancement of marine life for current and future generations.

You may select from a variety of activities, including scuba diving in Divers Cove and relaxing on the beaches. Less common activities include tidal pooling, investigating tide pools, and wandering along the coastline and on the beach.

This portion of the coast offers several protected areas where tourists may see birds and learn about the ecosystem.

Pay a visit to the Pacific Sea Mammal Center.

Laguna Beach, +1949494305020612 Laguna Canyon Road

If you’re searching for places to visit and activities to do in Laguna Beach, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center is a must-see. Seals that have been stranded or who have medical issues are rescued and rehabilitated here.

The Pacific Sea Mammal Center, in my view, provides a greater tale about seals than an aquarium does since you can learn about individual seals. The site is about a twenty-minute drive from Laguna Beach and admission is free. Misha and Noelle, two highly lively seals, kept me delighted throughout my visit, while the caregivers explained the work this institute performs to save marine animals via teaching and research.

Some visitors may be bothered by the terrible stench of the animals, but this is nothing to be concerned about. You’ll grow accustomed to it after a while, and as you spend more time monitoring the animals, it won’t be as bothersome.

Once you’ve seen the seals, go to the adjoining butterfly garden to observe bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The gardens’ principal aim, like the restoration work here, is conservation, in this instance assisting pollinators.

Finishing Up The Laguna Beach Attractions

Outdoor aficionados may have found their paradise. Laguna Beach is ideal for those seeking to combine the coast with the mountains for a great vacation. A solid common ground for artists, with a plethora of unique events and festivals devoted completely to California artists. I did what the Californians do and went on a hot trek before ending my day at some of Laguna Beach’s most renowned restaurants and bars. This area instantly captured my heart, from drinking expensive wines to viewing the magnificent marine life, and I would happily return to Laguna Beach on the next opportunity.

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Which of these Laguna Beach activities do you want to try first? Please share your thoughts in the comments box below!