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Laguna Beach and Dana Point

If you close your eyes and imagine the ideal California beach town, it will likely look exactly like Laguna Beach or Dana Point. Nestled about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, the picturesque communities are home to dozens of beaches, numerous art galleries, a phenomenal food scene, and miles and miles of hiking trails. Known for practically birthing surf culture in Southern California, both towns are worth a day trip, a long weekend, or even a longer visit to soak up the sun and explore beyond the beaches.

Crescent Bay of Laguna Beach, Orange County, California USA

Photo by Juancat/Shutterstock

Overview

When’s the best time to go to Laguna Beach and Dana Point?

The weather in Laguna and Dana Point is pretty much perfect year-round. In the winter, temperatures rarely fall below 65 degrees, and in the summer, it hardly ever gets above 80. As such, there’s no bad time to visit, though the most popular season is summer. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the towns host several exciting events, including Laguna’s annual Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. If you’re not one for crowds, go instead during shoulder season, which runs from September to December. The weather will still be glorious, but there will be far fewer tourists.

How to get around Laguna Beach and Dana Point

Laguna and Dana Point are accessible from several airports, including LAX, which is about two hours away by car, and San Diego, just 90 minutes away. Once in town, getting around is a breeze thanks to ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, plus a free trolley in Laguna. Both towns are also extremely pedestrian-friendly, with sidewalks and pathways just about everywhere. Still, many visitors end up renting a car so they can reach several beaches, hiking trails, and points of interest in a single day.

Food and drink to try in Laguna Beach and Dana Point

Laguna Beach and Dana Point may be small, but they’re home to a wealth of excellent dining options. Be sure to try the omnipresent California coastal cuisine, which takes the form of ahi watermelon skewers at Watermarc, Dungeness crab with fried green tomatoes at Broadway by Amar Santana, and house-made ravioli with lobster at Ocean at Main. Equally varied is the drinks scene, with options like craft beers at The Saloon, rare vintages at the Wine Gallery, and cucumber-jalapeño margaritas at Skyloft.

Culture in Laguna Beach and Dana Point

Art is everywhere in Laguna Beach and Dana Point, with public works serving as a big part of the scenery. Laguna also boasts a namesake museum, a wealth of spectacular art galleries, and several popular festivals throughout the year. While most visitors are drawn here for the laid-back, surf-town vibe, it’s worth taking a break from the beach to explore spots like the galleries Dawson Cole Fine Art and Avran Fine Art, or events like the Festival of Arts in the summer and the Art & Nature festival in the fall.

Can’t miss things to do in Laguna Beach and Dana Point

Among the dozens of things to see and do in Laguna and Dana Point, visitors must make time to simply sit on the beach and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Head to Thousand Steps Beach for views without the crowds, or Aliso to see the surfers in the last slivers of light. At Crescent Beach, you can even watch the sunset from a tide pool, wading in the shallow water as a glorious array of colors spreads across the sky.

Practical Information

You don’t need a passport to visit Laguna Beach and Dana Point, but it’s still a good idea to bring one along. The Mexico border is just a 90-minute drive south, making for a fun and easy day trip.

Guide Editor

Stacey Leasca

READ BEFORE YOU GO
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Staff
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
Sapphire Laguna
Just steps from the beach, Sapphire offers outdoor dining year-round on its cozy patio. Run by executive chef Azmin Gahreman for more than a decade, the restaurant is certainly a Laguna institution, but one that’s constantly evolving to stay fresh. Though Sapphire is worth a visit for every meal, it really shines at brunch, when such indulgent dishes as buttermilk pancakes, fried chicken and cheddar biscuits, and eggs Benedict with roasted jalapeño hollandaise are on the menu. Pair your breakfast with bottomless mimosas in flavors like orange, mango, and grapefruit and you’ll have the makings of a perfect morning.
April 20, 2021 05:02 PM
 · 
Stacey Leasca
The Stand Natural Foods Restaurant
In a haven for healthy eating like Laguna, The Stand stands out for its vegan menu full of plant-based, cruelty-free dishes. Established in 1975, the Thalia Street mainstay has switched hands from one local to another over the years, but has always maintained its focus on good-for-you fare. Come here for everything from freshly squeezed juices and nut-milk shakes to sandwiches, salads, and burritos made with steamed whole-wheat tortillas. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for the special tamale and guacamole plate, which features a homemade vegetable tamale with organic pinto beans, guacamole, salsa, cabbage salad, and The Stand’s original sweet-and-sour dressing. Just be sure to save room for the fresh fruit soft serve, which you can top with vegan chocolate chips, raw almonds, big flakes of coconut, and more.
April 20, 2021 05:02 PM
 · 
Stacey Leasca
Skyloft
At this rooftop bar on the South Coast Highway, guests can pair breathtaking ocean views with well-made cocktails and delicious bites. There’s also nightly live music and plenty of high-def TVs throughout the space, making this the perfect place to party the night away or simply catch a game. Drinks range from craft beers and 22 wines by the glass to specialty cocktails like cucumber-jalapeño margaritas, while the food leans Southern, with options like gumbo, butter brisket, and jambalaya. Check the website before you go to see who’s playing that night; it could be anyone from a local DJ to a ’90s rock cover band.
April 20, 2021 05:02 PM
 · 
Stacey Leasca
Wine Gallery
At the Wine Gallery, oenophiles and wine novices alike gather to sip old favorites or try new varietals. The team here crisscrossed the globe to curate an impressive menu of limited-edition wines, 25 of which are available by the glass. All are well-priced and accessible to even the most basic of tastes, but should you have trouble choosing, the friendly staff is available to make suggestions and help you discover new flavors and aromas with every sip. Once you’ve picked a wine, pair it with something from the food menu, which is built around the restaurant’s wood-fired oven. Options range from small plates like oven-roasted meatballs to charcuterie boards, crispy pizzas, and entrées like flatiron steak with hand-cut herbed frites. Swing by on a night when there’s live music, or make plans to attend one of the regular tastings to learn even more about the wines on offer.
April 20, 2021 05:02 PM
 · 
Stacey Leasca
The Rooftop Lounge
Get a bird’s-eye view of Laguna and its famous sunsets at the Rooftop Lounge, which sits atop La Casa del Camino hotel. Drinks here include a lengthy list of red, white, and sparkling wines as well as specialty cocktails like mojitos in strawberry, mango, and ginger flavors. To pair with your sips, there’s a range of small bites, from barbecue meatballs with blue cheese slaw to bacon-wrapped dates and coconut-breaded shrimp. Just be sure to come prepared with sunglasses and a hat, as shade is limited, and bring your four-legged friend—the bar is dog-friendly.
April 20, 2021 05:02 PM
 · 
Stacey Leasca
The Saloon
With its welcoming vibe and low-key decor, The Saloon is about as close as Laguna gets to a dive bar. A local favorite, it’s ideal for when you’re craving a cold beer, a good glass of wine, or an unpretentious cocktail like the PoPo (The Saloon’s take on an Irish coffee) or the Pino (made with house-infused pineapple vodka). There are very few seats in the bar, so be prepared to stand and mingle with other patrons. That’s what makes The Saloon great, though—and the fact that it’s right next door to Nick’s, making it perfect for a pre-dinner drink or nightcap.
April 20, 2021 05:02 PM
 · 
Stacey Leasca
Driftwood Kitchen
This casual, open-air restaurant sits above an untouched stretch of Laguna Beach—and capitalizes on that beautifully. Floor-to-ceiling windows encircle the dining room so it appears to be floating above the ocean, all the better to watch the sunset while eating hand-shucked oysters and sipping Rum for Your Life cocktails. Chef Rainer Schwarz’s menu centers around seafood, prepared with a range of international influences—Spanish octopus is grilled with chickpea puree and zahtar, and lobster stars in a spaghetti carbonara. The spot draws a stylish crowd not just for dinner but also weekend brunch, with a must-try version of eggs Benedict (made with Berkshire ham and blood-orange hollandaise, plus steak or crab). While waiting for a table, sidle up to the Stateroom Bar, the former home library of Old Hollywood actor Slim Summerville, for artisan libations heavy on fine bourbon and whiskey. Pro tip: Locals know best, and they can’t get enough of the whole fried branzino, served with roasted shishitos and ponzu sauce.
April 20, 2021 04:58 PM
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Kathryn Romeyn
La Vida Laguna
If anything’s endemic to Orange County it’s surfing—there are 40 miles of coastline here, after all. It’s not hard to find passionate practitioners of the sport, but doing is one thing and teaching is very much another. For newbies or even intermediate surfers looking to get back on a board, La Vida Laguna’s approachable, confidence-boosting instructors are the surest way to success. In private and semi-private lessons, their goal is to ensure that their surf pupils—starting from age eight—stand up on a wave, of course, but they also want to create more ocean advocates in the process. Wave safety and selection plus etiquette training are part of the lessons, along with pop-up drills, positioning, and gentle pushes at Thalia Beach, which has consistently calm waves for beginners. Guides also lead stand-up paddleboard lessons, hikes, and kayak adventures (expect frequent sea life sightings), tailoring and combining experiences upon request. Appointments are necessary and can be made on the phone, online, or at the company’s historic Craftsman bungalow in downtown Laguna. Local tip: For fewer surfers in the water, book a couple lessons on weekdays during the winter season.
April 20, 2021 04:58 PM
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Kathryn Romeyn
Laguna Art Museum
Laguna Beach’s deep connection to the arts goes back to 1918, when 150 local creative residents started the Laguna Beach Art Association (the city’s population was only 300 then). That association went on to launch what’s now the Laguna Art Museum. Although the museum covers countless genres and eras, there’s one thing every piece has in common: They’re all made in California. The 3,500-strong permanent collection spans the early 19th century to present day, from light and space installations to pop art (and also includes pieces by art-world stars like Ed Ruscha and Wayne Thiebaud). It’s rounded out by a handful of new California-centric exhibitions each year. Highly knowledgeable docents—all have completed an extensive nine-month training course—lead lively one-hour walk-throughs at 11 a.m. Friday to Tuesday; groups of 10 or more guests may book guided tours in advance. Must-do: Hit the museum on a Thursday night when it stays open until 9 p.m. and becomes a community hub, with lectures, film screenings, and live concerts in the galleries.
April 20, 2021 04:58 PM
 · 
Kathryn Romeyn
Montage Laguna Beach
This five-star beachfront hotel toes the line between being a hub of activity and a luxurious, only-in-Southern-California hideaway. For restoration, head to the sprawling spa for a customized wellness-oriented treatment or a meditation class. Mind cleared, make your way to the on-site outfitter Compass Sports—where staff will coordinate local mountain biking, paddleboarding, hiking, and surfing expeditions—or to the palm tree–lined, mosaic-tiled pool. Big ocean views and a light, airy design define the 250 rooms; for guests seeking extra solitude and space, there are bungalow suites, which are essentially private beach houses. At the hotel’s three eateries, it’s all seasonal all the time, from the fresh morning juices to evening cocktails. That ethos peaks at the fine-dining restaurant Studio, where executive chef Craig Strong creates elegantly plated French-meets-California dishes using locally sourced fish and meat, along with vegetables picked from the hotel’s 1,000-square-foot garden. Pro tip: In a setting this transporting, you almost want to break into song. Good news—the hotel will rent out mini guitars to guests for the duration of their stay.
April 20, 2021 03:32 PM
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