20 Best Things to Do in Laguna Beach, CA

One of the best coastal cities in California, Laguna Beach is located within the premises of Orange County and has some of the best beaches you can enjoy on any vacation.

The beaches here are pristine, and they present a lot of opportunities for adventure-seekers to have some fun.

From state parks to hiking trails and scenic highways, every spot in Laguna Beach boasts the most breathtaking ocean views.

If you are looking for a great holiday destination to have some fun, this is the place to check out.

These are the best things to do in Laguna Beach, California:

Explore Crystal Cove State Park

The most attractive place in Laguna, Crystal Cove State Park is probably one of the best places in the world.

When you explore the park, you'll realize the truth behind its indescribable beauty.

It's a fact that California does not have many undisturbed largest spaces with ocean views, but Crystal Cove State Park makes up for this.

Placed on the confluence of Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove State Park's beauty goes beyond words.

Filled with sandy white beaches and the ocean water crashing against them under the glistening sun, the state park draws many tourists and locals.

There are immense adventure options here.

Where else can you find an open space of 2,000 acres filled with nothing but beautiful nature?

Take a Walk around Heisler Park

Heisler's Park's unmatched beauty will take your breath away.

You'll end up spending hours in this park just to experience some more of its scenic views.

It has some of the best ocean views and a well-paved path that overlooks the ocean.

Another fantastic feature of this park is that it is decorated all over with art.

The local art has been portrayed beautifully here, and their talents are unparalleled.

There's a well-maintained garden here filled with seasonal flowers.

Do visit the Laguna Art Museum located inside the park.

Spend the Day at the Stunning Main Beach

Main Beach has to be the top beach in Laguna.

Tourists and locals crowd here to enjoy the typical Californian sun.

It's extremely beautiful and will make you understand why Laguna is so famous.

Imagine a beach in the city's heart—that's Main Beach for you.

The beach attracts many people who are just passing by, as it is on the road that connects to the Highway.

The lifeguard tower, which has been standing here on the beach since 1929, serves as one of Laguna's landmarks.

Surfing is the best activity that can be enjoyed here.

The other things you can do here include sitting on the beach, enjoying the sun and the water, and having the perfect beach day.

You can see many people playing volleyball on the beach, too.

People even go sunbathing here.

Check Out the Marine Animals of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Want to take a look at some rescued cute marine animals?

Visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center., which is like rehab for sea animals that have been through the worst.

It was initially named the Friends of the Sea Lion.

It opened its doors to the public in 1971, and ever since, it has been one of the top spots in Laguna Beach.

Sea lions, seals, and elephant seals are some of the top animals you can see here.

Go on a Scenic Drive along Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway is one of the best roads in California.

Not only is the highway one of the smoothest roads in the state, but it also has some of the best beaches along with it.

This road connects the best beach towns in California.

If you are looking forward to having a West Coast road trip, Pacific Coast Highway should be your route.

If you start from the best beaches of Laguna and drive to the northern area, you'll also come across the best beaches of Huntington Beach and Long Beach, respectively.

See the City from Alta Laguna Park

Alta Laguna Park is one of the best places to check out if you want to have a full view of the city.

It is located on the top of a hill, so you'll be overlooking the city with some of the best views.

It is quite a well-maintained park in Laguna with great picnic spots.

If you're looking for a place to hang out with your family and friends, this is the ultimate place.

When you are up there, you might face some rain, so check on the weather forecast before visiting or bring an umbrella.

Check Out Treasure Island Park

Treasure Island Park is one of the best spots in Laguna Beach.

It's a fantastic place to spend time with your family, enjoy views of the landscapes and the ocean, and have a great picnic.

The sights are as pretty as a painting.

Victoria Beach is also located within Treasure Island Park.

Many activities can be enjoyed here, and it's a nice place to simply hang out.

Enjoy the Annual Pageant of the Masters

The Pageant of the Masters is one of the best festivals in Laguna Beach.

If you want to have a bit of summer fun and enjoy the local culture, the Pageant of the Masters is the best way to do it.

Celebrated in Orange County, the festival focuses on local art and artists.

It portrays the arts quite beautifully and gets quite crowded.

Enjoy some of the best musicals or fine arts performances here.

Go Hiking at Crescent Bay Point Park

A perfect way to enjoy the beauty of Laguna Beach is by hiking along trails with ocean views.

Crescent Bay Point Park is one of the finest parks in Laguna.

What's best about this park is that there are a lot of hiking paths here.

These options give you grassy paths and some of the best opportunities to go out and enjoy breathtaking scenes of the ocean.

Enjoy the Sawdust Art Festival

The Sawdust Art Festival is another one of the most fantastic beach festivals that you can celebrate in Laguna Beach.

When you are in California, fun should be the only thing on your mind, and there are so many ways to have it here.

The Sawdust Art Festival presents the perfect opportunity to do so.

The festival brings out the best talents of the locals and presents top-quality art.

Enjoy some beach time while admiring stunning art pieces.

Catch a Glimpse at Thousand Steps Beach

Stretching for a long area, Thousand Steps Beach is one of the top attractions in Laguna Beach.

It is open to the public, but you might find it quite isolated.

You have to climb down steep steps if you wish to get a closer view.

There are over 200 steps in total.

Located in a secluded area, Thousand Steps Beach has cliffs, too.

You can get on top to see the ocean from a better vantage point.

People often go swimming, surfing, or play volleyball here.

Drop by this place in time to see the sunset, as the views are almost too good to be true.

Explore the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

When you are on your way to Laguna Canyon, there is one place that you need to check out.

The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is one of the best places to visit and enjoy nature views.

It's stretched across almost 7,000 acres, and you shall be entertained.

If you want to try out some mountain biking, this is the place, for there are a lot of trails here.

If you are into hiking, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park has some of the most incredible options for you.

The forests are vast, with a lot of flora and fauna.

Spot the Mysterious "Pirate Tower" at Victoria Beach

Boasting its own unique charm, Victoria Beach is located quite close to Main Beach.

The beach is pristine and almost white, and the waters are a combination of blue and green that adds to its exotic beauty.

Did you know some of the wealthiest people in California have houses here?

You'll also see a mysterious tower resembling a castle.

Locals have dubbed this 60-foot lighthouse the "Pirate Tower."

While it's not open for entry, you can still explore its base when the tide is low.

Enjoy Water Sports Activities at Aliso Beach

Aliso Beach is the beach you go to when you want to spend some quality time with your family.

This particular beach is a haven for all types of water activities.

Whether it's surfing, paddleboarding, skin diving, or swimming you're after, Aliso Beach is the solution to your every wish.

This beach also hosts the iconic Skim Boarding World Championship.

You can enjoy tidal pools here as well.

Snap Gorgeous Photos of Table Rock Beach

This beach is a must-visit when you are in Laguna Beach.

The city owns this beach, so it is private to the city itself.

Table Rock Beach is located quite close to Thousand Steps Beach, and you can practically walk there from point to point.

If you want to get away from the crowd, this beach is your location.

You can enjoy activities like snorkeling and skimboarding here.

Are you looking to snap pictures for your social media?

Photographers from all over the world come to Table Rock Beach to take gorgeous photos.

Go Sightseeing as You Ride the Laguna Beach Trolley

When it comes to weekend transportation in Laguna Beach, a free trolley service travels along the South Coast Highway.

The drive to Cajon Street in North Laguna Beach starts at the Ritz-Carlton Dana Point.

Tourists often begin their journey at the Official Visitors Center of Laguna Beach.

You may find anything from the parking area, trolley stops, accommodations, and what to do and see in the city.

It is just a short walk from the Visitors Center to one of the trolley stations.

At this point, passengers choose 34 different places to get off.

Tour the City on Foot with Laguna Beach Walks

This tour is led by Janelle Naess, a longtime resident of the city, and provides an excellent overview of the city's art, architecture, and history.

You can choose a trip that fits your interests and schedule with Laguna Beach Walks.

This tour operator offers a wide range of options for travelers interested in history, fitness, or viewing the sites.

And the most remarkable thing is that these trips are jam-packed with eye-catching attractions.

You'll see a variety of interesting buildings, galleries, and public art if you take the Downtown Walk.

This tour will take you to the best places to eat and shop.

Learn about Life in the 1920s at Murphy-Smith Historical Bungalow

The Laguna Beach Historical Society operates this cottage, established in 1923 as the Murphy family's residence.

Murphy-Smith Historic Bungalow is one of Laguna Beach's most unusual attractions.

With multi-gabled roofing and clapboard siding, this bungalow is steeped in history and a window into the area's past.

Take a home tour with a docent and learn about life in the early 1920s.

While touring the structure, take time to peruse the antique images and mementos.

Watch a Play at The Laguna Playhouse

It is a mid-sized local theater that hosts a wide range of performances, from comedies to dramas to musicals to shows for young audiences.

At its inception, the theater staged performances and play readings in stores and private residences to get its name out there.

The Playhouse, the theater's initial location, was built in Laguna Beach in 1924.

During the Great Depression and World War II, the theater continued to function but finally outgrown its current location.

The site on which the Moulton Theatre was constructed in 1969 was erected as a public amenity.

The Youth Theatre, the Youth Conservatory, and other outreach initiatives are some of the theater's most well-known and well-respected educational offerings.

See Surreal Artworks at Kush Fine Art Gallery

Kush Fine Art Gallery is a Laguna Beach art gallery that showcases and sells works of art in the Artist Colony neighborhood.

Russian artist Vladimir Kush opened the gallery in 2006 to showcase his career.

Here, you will see various artworks ranging from sketches to oil paintings and jewelry crafted from rare and semi-precious stones.

Surrealist painter and sculptor born in Russia, Kush started his art education at seven.

After emigrating, he moved to the U.S. and opened galleries in Maui, Hawaii, Laguna Beach, and two galleries in Las Vegas.

Final Thoughts

Laguna Beach is never short on iconic attractions, quiet beaches, and awe-inspiring parks, as it maintains a creative fervor with top-notch art galleries and entertaining summer arts events.

For your next vacation, head to Laguna Beach, where art and culture meet the sea.