Main Beach

Located in the heart of Laguna Beach, Main Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in Orange County and is extremely popular with families, visitors, and locals. Its historic white lifeguard tower is a city landmark and often appears in television shows and movies. Additionally, Laguna Beach was named the 33rd Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world's foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach.”

Main Beach has amenities including showers, lifeguards, and public restrooms located at the north and south ends of the beach.

The warm water is great for swimming but Main Beach is known to have rip currents so swim with caution. Surfing is not allowed at Main Beach during summer months so if you’re interested in surfing be sure to visit from September to May. The wide sandy beach is perfect for long walks, runs, picnics, and sports. If you’re looking for a little exercise, you can check out the sand volleyball and basketball courts on the north end of the beach. You can also walk to the south end of the beach to find Main Beach Park, a family-friendly playground with a large grass area.

You’ll find street parking along Pacific Coast Highway and on nearby side streets – spots can fill up quickly so be sure to plan ahead.

The warm water is great for swimming but Main Beach is known to have rip currents so swim with caution. Surfing is not allowed at Main Beach during summer months so if you’re interested in surfing be sure to visit from September to May. The wide sandy beach is perfect for long walks, runs, picnics, and sports. If you’re looking for a little exercise, you can check out the sand volleyball and basketball courts on the north end of the beach. You can also walk to the south end of the beach to find Main Beach Park, a family-friendly playground with a large grass area.

You’ll find many great restaurants along the boardwalk if you get hungry. Comedor is an excellent restaurant with a casual ambiance that is known for its delicious Spanish and California-style tapas dishes and outstanding cocktails, and which has been featured in many publications including LOCALE Magazine and The Orange County Register. The Rooftop Lounge offers an amazing panoramic ocean view of the Pacific Ocean – it serves a large variety of delicious local California-style cuisine dishes and has an award-winning bar that is known for its signature fresh fruit Mojitos. Another option is Las Brisas, a Mexican restaurant with a popular brunch menu, live music, and floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular beach views. You can also take a 5-minute walk to Nick's Laguna Beach, a popular restaurant with a casual atmosphere that serves California comfort food – if you’re heading that way we recommend making reservations in advance.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out Laguna Beach House, a boutique surf hotel with coastal chic décor and an outdoor swimming pool that’s only a 10-minute walk from the beach. Another option is Laguna Shores Resort, a laid-back vacation resort that’s located on oceanfront cliffs and is only an 8-minute walk from Main Beach. The Inn at Laguna Beach is another great option and is located adjacent to the north end of Main beach and is centrally located to many shops and restaurants.