Get Outside With These 22 Laguna Beach Outdoor Experiences

Are you looking for outdoor activities to enjoy in Laguna Beach? You're in luck! There are plenty of parks, beaches, trails to explore, and tours and golf courses. No matter what you're into, there's something for everyone. If you're looking for some inspiration, keep reading for a list of our favorite outdoor experiences in Laguna Beach.

For those who enjoy hiking or trail running, hiking the West Ridge to the famous biking Car Wreck Trail is great to spend time outdoors. The nearly 3.5-mile loop trek has an elevation gain of 856 feet—most hikers and runners usually start from Top of the World on the West Ridge Trail, about 2.5 miles from Laguna Beach houses.

To reach the Car Wreck Trail, follow the West Ridge trail for half a mile and follow the signs indicating the right side split to the Car Wreck Trail, which is a higher difficulty path and takes you past the Volvo car wreck for which the trail is named. To return to your starting point, past the car wreck, follow the Mathis Canyon Trail until it reaches West Ridge Trail.

Crescent Bay Point Park can be found less than 1.5 miles from Laguna Beach real estate via CA-1 North. This small park has a lovely grassy area with views of Crescent Bay from the bluff. The park paths have railings to protect from the bluff’s edge, and there is seating available to enjoy the view.

The three-mile paved trail at Crystal Cove State Park is a great place to wander for those who enjoy a scenic walk with their dog. Your furry friend is not welcome on the hiking trails, beach, or at the nearby cafe but is welcome on all paved surfaces provided they remain on a leash. The park is located just under three miles from Laguna Beach houses via CA-1 North.

 

Located at 5375 Hibiscus Drive, Glenn E. Vedder Ecological Reserve in Heisler Park can be found under half a mile from Laguna Beach real estate. The reserve is home to game fish and other marine life, plants, shells, and rocks and covers the area from Diver’s Cove to Main Beach’s north section. Visitors are encouraged to explore, but collecting anything (rocks, shells, plants, or otherwise) is strictly prohibited.

Plant parents will enjoy a visit to the Hortense Miller Garden, which is located under 1.5 miles from Laguna Beach houses via CA-1 North and Allview Terrace. Public tours must be booked online or by phone at 949-464-6645. Tours are offered on most Saturdays and occasional Thursdays starting at 9:45 a.m. The garden began in 1959 and was named after the woman who planted and maintained it until 2005.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park can be found under 2.5 miles from Laguna Beach real estate at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road. The park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to sunset, with the corresponding parking lot available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With over 40 miles of trails across 7,000 acres, this park is well-worth repeated visits. You are welcome to explore the park by running, hiking, biking, or horseback riding.

Main Beach is located in the same area as Laguna Beach houses and can be reached via CA-1 North. You will likely have seen the famous lifeguard tower in media as a popular filming location. This is not the best beach for introverts to claim as their top choice since it is frequently heavily populated, but it is worth at least one visit. The beach is also home to courts for basketball and volleyball, public art exhibits, and a lovely boardwalk.

Those who value a more secluded beach experience should visit Table Rock Beach, which can be found a little over 3 miles from Laguna Beach real estate via CA-1 South. This beach is a favorite among Laguna Beach locals, who enjoy exploring the rocks on days when the surf is calm. The beach is relatively hidden based on its access at the bottom of the hill near Pacific Coast Highway and West Street. Most popular activities at this beach include bodyboarding, body surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and exploring the tide pools.

Aliso Beach is located 3 miles from Laguna Beach real estate via CA-1 South. Parking at this beach can be difficult due to its popularity. The beach is especially popular for skimboarding and hosts the annual world championship for the sport.

 

 

Rated as the 4th best thing to do in Laguna Beach by U.S. News, 1,000 Steps Beach is located just over 4 miles from Laguna Beach houses via CA-1 South. This beach is another secluded option and requires visitors to walk down over 200 steps to reach the sand. Visitors enjoy exploring the tide pools and caves but should be sure to pay attention to tides since the sea caves are dangerous during rising and high tides.

Victoria Beach can be found a little over 2.5 miles from Laguna Beach real estate via CA-1 South and is one of the most famous beaches in the area. Like Aliso Beach, Victoria Beach is particularly popular for skimboarding and the frequently photographed “Pirate Tower.”

Try out the free Laguna Beach Trolley, which offers three routes to points of interest when exploring Laguna Beach. On weekdays, you can catch the trolley from any point starting at  6:30 a.m. The trolley stops running at 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday but runs until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. On the weekend, the trolley does not start running until 10:00 a.m. On Sundays, the schedule ends at 7:00 p.m. Trolley car waits usually don’t exceed 30 minutes if you’ve missed the previous car.

 

 

Laguna Beach Walks offers a $20 per person 1.5 miles guided tour from the Pageant of the Masters to Heisler Park. The tour takes approximately 2 hours and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Reach out to [email protected] to book a tour, or call 949-372-8157.

Laguna Ethos offers daily 90-minute kayak and hiking tours and surf lessons. Kayak tours of the ocean around Laguna Beach include the opportunity to view sea lions. Surf lessons are kept to small groups of no more than three students for each 2-hour session. Bike tours take participants through area neighborhoods, past much of the public art, and through several of the parks.

La Vida Laguna also offers surf lessons, kayak tours, paddleboard tours, and electronic bike tours. The self-guided Public Art Tour takes walkers past over 100 pieces of art, with both temporary and permanent exhibits. To view suggested routes, check out this brochure with a map of the area.

Aliso Viejo Country Club is located just under 7 miles from Laguna Beach real estate at 33 Santa Barbara Drive. The private course with a par of 72 welcomes golfers of all levels. Junior golfers are welcome to join the Crush It! Program. Use the Contact Us feature on the website previously linked to inquire about membership.

The Ranch Laguna Beach is approximately 3.5 miles from Laguna Beach houses and can be found at 31106 Coast Highway. Offering only nine holes of play, this course is popular for its privacy and amazing views of the Aliso Canyon and Wood Canyon. Tee- times can be booked online.

 

 

El Niguel Country Club is located at 23700 Club House Drive, approximately 7.5 miles from Laguna Beach real estate. The 18-hole course opened in 1963 and was fully renovated in 2018. The staff includes PGA-Certified instructors happy to help beginners to experts improve their game. Membership inquiries can be submitted online.

Marbella Country Club can be found at 30800 Golf Club Drive, approximately 13.5 miles from Laguna Beach houses. The golf course covers 6608 yards and has a par of 70. Submit a membership inquiry through the club’s online form.

Monarch Beach Golf Links is located at 50 Monarch Beach Resort North, 7 miles from Laguna Beach real estate. The course is happy to welcome the public to play, with tee time bookings allowed 120 days in advance.

San Juan Hills Golf Club can be found at 32120 San Juan Creek Road, about 15 miles from Laguna Beach houses via CA-73 South. The course invites members and non-members to reserve their tee time online. Members can book their time up to 14 days in advance.

If you’re looking for more ideas on what to do in Laguna Beach, or if you want assistance buying or selling a home here, please reach out to a local realtor like those on the Mike Johnson team.