Southern California
Laguna Beach Weekend Guide: Coves, Tide Pools and Hikes
Plan a Laguna Beach weekend: the best coves and tide pools by tide, Crystal Cove, Thousand Steps and Victoria Beach, ocean-view dinners and hotels.
By Alex Khachigian · Updated September 2026 · 4 min read
Laguna Beach is seven miles of rocky coves and pocket beaches, about an hour from Los Angeles and a little more from San Diego. Many coves are only accessible at low tide.
Laguna is the start of the Orange County to San Diego coastal drive.
In This Guide
- Getting to Laguna Beach and Where to Park
- Day 1 Morning: Heisler Park Coves and Main Beach
- Day 1 Afternoon: Downtown Laguna Galleries and Art Festivals
- Day 1 Evening: Laguna Beach Sunset and Dinner With a View
- Day 2 Morning: Thousand Steps, Victoria Beach and South Laguna
- Day 2 Afternoon: Crystal Cove State Park and Laguna Hiking Trails
- Where to Stay in Laguna Beach
- FAQ
Getting to Laguna Beach and Where to Park
Arrive via Pacific Coast Highway or Laguna Canyon Road (Highway 133) from the 405 and the 5. Summer weekend traffic on 133 can double the drive.
Metered spots and city lots fill by late morning in summer, and meters are strictly enforced.
Use the Free Laguna Beach Trolley
The free Laguna Beach Trolley runs along Coast Highway and through town, most often in summer. Park once and ride it.
Day 1 Morning: Heisler Park Coves and Main Beach
Heisler Park is a clifftop park with stairs down to Picnic Beach, Rockpile Beach and Divers Cove, all good for low-tide tide pooling. Main Beach is a short bluff walk south.
Crescent Bay and Shaws Cove
Crescent Bay Point Park, just north, overlooks Crescent Bay and Seal Rock, where sea lions gather. Shaws Cove has some of the best tide pools in town at a minus tide.
Day 1 Afternoon: Downtown Laguna Galleries and Art Festivals
Galleries line Forest Avenue and Coast Highway, and the Laguna Art Museum is near Heisler Park. Galleries open late for the monthly First Thursdays Art Walk.
Summer Festivals
In July and August, the Festival of Arts, the Pageant of the Masters (live recreations of artworks) and the Sawdust Art Festival run. Book Pageant tickets well ahead.
Day 1 Evening: Laguna Beach Sunset and Dinner With a View
The Cliff Restaurant has a patio above the water. Driftwood Kitchen sits on the sand.
Taco Loco on Coast Highway is a casual local stop. Nick’s Laguna Beach serves American comfort food with limited reservations, so arrive early.
Day 2 Morning: Thousand Steps, Victoria Beach and South Laguna
Plan South Laguna around low tide. Several beaches disappear at high tide.
Thousand Steps Beach
Thousand Steps Beach, at 9th Avenue off Coast Highway, has about 220 steps. At low tide there are tide pools and a small sea cave at the south end.
Victoria Beach and the Pirate Tower
Victoria Beach’s Pirate Tower is a 1920s stone staircase tower built into the cliff. You can reach it only at low tide.
Woods Cove and Treasure Island
Woods Cove, off Diamond Street, can vanish at high tide. Treasure Island Beach, reached by a public path through the Montage grounds, has good tide pools.
Day 2 Afternoon: Crystal Cove State Park and Laguna Hiking Trails
Crystal Cove State Park has miles of undeveloped beach, tide pools and trails. The Historic District is a row of restored 1930s beach cottages.
Eat at the Beachcomber Cafe or get a date shake at the Crystal Cove Shake Shack.
Parking for the Crystal Cove Historic District
Park at the Los Trancos lot inland of Coast Highway, then walk the tunnel or take the shuttle. Check fees on parks.ca.gov.
Moro Canyon and Top of the World
Hike the Moro Canyon trail, or drive to Top of the World and Alta Laguna Park for Laguna Coast Wilderness Park trails. Clear days show Catalina, a weekend of its own.
Where to Stay in Laguna Beach
Staying near the water avoids parking.
- Montage Laguna Beach: clifftop resort above Treasure Island Beach
- Surf & Sand Resort: oceanfront rooms with balconies
- The Ranch at Laguna Beach: canyon resort with golf
- Hotel Laguna: historic hotel next to Main Beach
- Pacific Edge Hotel: beachfront, with pools and fire pits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Laguna Beach?
Thousand Steps and Victoria Beach are the most scenic, and Main Beach is the busiest. Crescent Bay and Shaws Cove are best for tide pools.
When is the best time to visit Laguna Beach?
September and October for warm water and fewer crowds. Winter has the best low tides; summer is busy.
Is parking hard in Laguna Beach?
Yes, on summer weekends. Arrive before 9 a.m., use city lots or ride the free Laguna Beach Trolley.
Can you see the Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach at high tide?
From a distance only. You can walk to it at low tide; go on a falling tide.
Is Laguna Beach good for a day trip from Los Angeles?
Yes, it is about an hour away. Leave early for parking and time your visit to low tide.
Destination guide
My Orange County hotel, Airbnb and tour picks
