How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Laguna Beach
Queue up “Come Clean” by Hilary Duff, because we are heading down to Laguna Beach! This beautiful coastal town located in Orange County, California was popularized by the hit MTV reality show “Laguna Beach” during the early 2000s. But despite all the media attention it has gotten over the years, Laguna Beach remains as charming as ever, and is the perfect destination for a Southern California road trip or weekend getaway for beach lovers.
The coastline is made up of 30 different beaches dotted with mansions and palm trees along the seaside cliffs. Most beaches also feature unique rock formations and tide pools that visitors can explore. If you’re lucky, you can even spot dolphins! In the heart of town, there are a plethora of dining options and shops galore. There’s so much to see and do that it’s hard to fit it all in one weekend! But don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Check our recommendations below for the perfect weekend in Laguna Beach!
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Trip Description
When to Visit
How to Get There
Itinerary Details
Trip Description
Type: Small Group
Style: Beach
Pace: Moderate
Flexibility: Medium
Scope: Best of the Best
For more information on our descriptors, visit our FAQ page!
When to Go
We recommend visiting any time from April to October for gorgeous weather so you can maximize your time spent outdoors. Preferably, you’d want to stay during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall for fewer crowds. We visited in mid-April, and despite the weather forecast of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, it actually was quite hot on the beach. We were completely comfortable wearing bathing suits outdoors in the afternoon.
How to Get There
Depending on where you are coming from, you will likely need to fly into Los Angeles (LAX), which is less than an hour away without traffic. San Diego (SAN) is another option, located a little less than 3 hours away.
Our AirBnb provided us with a parking spot, so we chose to rent a car and have more flexibility to explore. Depending on the parking situation at your accommodation, there are airport shuttles you can take to Laguna if you decide not to rent a car.
Street parking is available throughout Laguna Beach, but it was hard to come by from our experience. The Town has many public parking garages for a small fee that we ended up using. If you don’t have a rental car, Uber and Lyft are available to get you from point A to point B. You can also use the public bus service around Orange County, called OC Bus.
Itinerary Details
Day 1
Start your morning off with some coffee from the Laguna Coffee Company and a stroll on the beach. Once you’ve gotten some movement in to start your day, head over to the main drag and check out the beautiful boutiques and shops as they begin to open up.
After you’ve worked up an appetite, grab brunch at Nick’s. This restaurant is one of the most popular spots in town with a prime rib sandwich to-die-for. Be sure to make a reservation in advance, because it tends to book up.
Next, head over to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. There are many options to choose from, but for today we recommend exploring the surroundings near your accommodation. For us, this was Main Beach and Sleepy Hollow Beach, although it was pretty crowded. We’d also recommend visiting Thousand Steps Beach, Thalia Beach (for surfers), or Pearl Street Beach.
Afterwards, head over to The Deck and put your name down for dinner. Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations, so you want to make sure you time your arrival so that you are seated at sunset. We got there at 5:45 pm and were seated after a 2-hour wait, so we would recommend putting your name down around 4ish. Then get ready for dinner while you wait!
This place has great vibes and upbeat music that’s perfect for a date night or dinner with friends. Plus, the location is tough to beat, as your table will overlook the water and provide beautiful views of the coast.
If you’re like us and don’t get called off the waitlist before sunset, take a ten-minute walk over to Main Beach and watch the sunset there instead. If you want a more quiet place to go, there’s a little balcony viewpoint called Brown’s Park that’s a few minutes down the street from The Deck and overlooks Main Beach. Either option is great!
Once you are called to eat, head over to The Deck and enjoy your first night in Laguna! Skip dessert at the restaurant and head to Gelato Paradiso in town for a delicious treat. This gelato is heaven and we went back multiple times throughout our trip. My personal favorite was Stracciatella and Pistachio, but they have a ton of different flavors to choose from!
Day 2
The next day will follow a similar pattern. Wake up, grab a coffee at Zinc Cafe & Market, and walk over to Main Beach. You will see a ton of walking paths that lead up to the cliffs overlooking the water. Follow along the paths to the gorgeous gardens of Heisler Park. There are many benches along the way where you can sit down and take in the views.
After your walk, head over to Driftwood Kitchen for brunch. This cute little restaurant is located at the same entrance as The Deck and features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the water. The french toast and pancakes were delicious.
Once you’ve finished eating, spend the day at Treasure Island Beach. There is a public parking lot at the entrance where you can park your car, but be warned–it does get crowded quickly. We got lucky and found a spot right away. After getting some sunbathing in, head over to the tide pools towards the left. They are set atop a large cliff with beautiful views of the surrounding beaches.
Then, climb down over the rocks towards the other cove. Be sure to watch your step! You’ll begin making your way over to Victoria Beach.
Take a 20-minute stroll on Victoria Beach where you’ll see beautiful homes nestled through the cliffs.
Keep walking until you reach Pirate Tower, a 60-ft structure built right into the cliff in 1926. While you can’t climb the tower, it’s still fun to poke around at the base during low tide.
Head home from the beach and get ready for dinner at Las Brisas. This upscale Mexican Restaurant has stunning views of the coast that can be enjoyed from the outdoor patio. It’s the perfect place if you’re feeling fancy!
Day 3
Grab a quick bite at Orange Inn Cafe and return home!
We hope you’re feeling inspired to visit Laguna Beach after this article! Let us know in the comments below your thoughts and if you have any other Laguna Beach recommendations we should try for next time!
