The Local's Guide to Laguna Beach: Beaches, Food, and the Best Side Quests

People from all over the world come to Laguna Beach expecting the picture-perfect Southern California postcard. They're not wrong—but if you only hit the tourist spots, you're missing the places that actually make this area special.

After spending countless weekends exploring Laguna and the surrounding beach towns with my wife, we've developed our own list of favorite beaches, restaurants, hikes, and a few nearby adventures that are absolutely worth your time. If you're planning a trip, here's exactly where I'd send my friends.

The Best Beaches

Victoria Beach & Treasure Island

If I had to recommend one area to start, it'd be Victoria Beach and Treasure Island. They're right next to each other, so you can easily visit both in one afternoon.

Victoria Beach is famous for its iconic castle tower that sits right on the sand. It's one of the most photographed spots in Laguna, and for good reason. If you've seen engagement photos or Instagram shoots from Laguna, there's a good chance they were taken here.

Next door is Treasure Island Beach, located below the Montage Resort. The bluff-top park offers incredible ocean views and beautifully maintained walking paths. It can get crowded, but it's still worth seeing. A local tip: park near La Sirena Grill, grab lunch before or after your beach day, and simply walk over.

Strands Beach

As we've gotten older, Strands Beach has quietly become our favorite.

The parking situation is easy, the beach is wide open, and the waves are usually much calmer than many of the beaches in Laguna. It's the kind of place where you can actually relax instead of fighting for space.

The walk along the bluff toward Dana Point is just as enjoyable as the beach itself, especially with the ridiculous multi-million-dollar homes overlooking the ocean.

Crescent Bay

If you're looking for calmer water, Crescent Bay is another great option.

Parking isn't always the easiest, but it's usually worth the extra effort. Before heading down, stop at Crescent Bay Point Park for one of the best panoramic viewpoints in Laguna Beach.

Main Beach

Main Beach is the heart of Laguna and definitely worth walking through once.

Grab a coffee, snap a photo at the famous lifeguard tower, people-watch for a while, and soak in the atmosphere. Just know that it's one of the busiest beaches in town and seaweed can sometimes take over the shoreline.

I usually park near Heisler Park and take the scenic walking trail down to the beach.

Thousand Steps Beach

Don't let the name fool you—there aren't actually 1,000 steps, but it definitely feels like it on the way back up.

Because of the climb, the crowd tends to be younger and there are fewer families. During low tide, adventurous visitors can explore an abandoned oceanfront pool hidden along the shoreline. Just be careful—the rocks can be slippery, and lifeguards may not appreciate people wandering into restricted areas.

Where to Eat

Laguna has no shortage of great restaurants, but these are the places I'd happily return to every time.

Ahba serves one of my favorite burgers in Orange County, and there's even a hidden speakeasy next door if you're looking for a cocktail afterward.

Gu Ramen is my go-to whenever I'm craving a comforting bowl of ramen.

Laguna Coffee Company is the perfect morning stop. Once you've finished your coffee, walk over to Sound Spectrum Records—it's one of those classic independent record stores that's worth browsing even if you don't own a record player.

If you're looking for ocean views, The Cliff delivers one of the best dining backdrops in Laguna. Yes, it's touristy, but sometimes the view alone makes it worthwhile.

For wine lovers, McClain Cellars sits next to Laguna Beer Company and across from Laguna College of Art & Design, where you'll find some great murals and public art nearby.

Other restaurants I'd recommend include:

• La Sirena Grill

• Bianchi Winery

• Carmelita's

• Truly Pizza (make a reservation—it's one of the hottest restaurants in town)

• Starfish Laguna Beach

• Marine Room Tavern for late-night cocktails and live music

Best Places to Walk and Hike

You don't need to tackle an all-day hike to appreciate Laguna's scenery.

Top of the World offers some of the best panoramic views in Orange County.

The Dana Point Trail system provides beautiful coastal overlooks and is an easy way to spend an afternoon outdoors.

Heisler Park might technically be more of a walking path than a hike, but it's one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in Laguna Beach.

Worth the Short Drive: Side Quests

Some of my favorite places aren't actually in Laguna.

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan has become one of our favorite places to meet up with friends. The town has an old Western feel mixed with a growing food scene.

If you only do one thing, make it Heritage BBQ. It's Michelin-recognized and absolutely lives up to the hype. Get there about 30 minutes before they open because they regularly sell out.

Afterward, check out Rancho Winery, River Street Marketplace, or finish the evening with line dancing and live country music at Swallow's Inn.

Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa has a completely different energy—more creative, trendy, and full of local boutiques.

Grab a burger at Matty's Patty's Burger Club before wandering through The CAMP and The LAB Anti-Mall.

If you're hungry afterward (or somehow still have room), Habana, Wine Lab, and East Borough are all fantastic. East Borough serves one of my favorite bánh mì sandwiches anywhere.

Huntington Beach (Selective Stops)

Huntington Beach has a few places worth visiting.

Pacific City is a newer outdoor shopping center with restaurants overlooking the ocean. Bungalow and Bear Flag Fish Company are both solid choices if you're in the area.

I'd also recommend Sunset Beach, just north of Huntington. Parking is easy, the walk to the sand takes only a minute or two, and the sunsets overlooking Long Beach Harbor can be incredible.

That said, I generally skip Huntington Beach's Main Street at night. It has a very different atmosphere than Laguna and isn't really my scene.

Places I'd Skip

Everyone vacations differently, but if you're trying to maximize your time around Laguna, these aren't high on my list.

Anaheim isn't somewhere I'd spend much time unless Disneyland is the reason you're visiting. Downtown Disney is free and fun to walk through, and if you're nearby, Joe's Italian Ice is worth the stop.

Newport Beach has a polished "Real Housewives of Orange County" vibe that isn't really my style, and the Balboa Peninsula tends to cater more toward the college bar crowd.

Final Thoughts

The best part about Laguna Beach isn't checking off famous landmarks—it's slowing down enough to enjoy the little things. Watch the sunset from Strands Beach, spend an afternoon wandering Heisler Park, grab a burger after a beach day, or take a spontaneous detour to San Juan Capistrano.

Southern California has no shortage of beautiful coastline, but Laguna has a way of combining incredible scenery, great food, and laid-back beach culture into one unforgettable destination.

If you follow this itinerary, you'll experience the version of Laguna Beach that keeps my wife and me coming back year after year.