Now touched by the suburbs of Los Angeles, Laguna Beach started out as an artist’s colony between Los Angeles and San Diego. And there’s a lot of beauty to inspire art in this place. Seven miles of picture perfect, secluded sandy coves, buffeted bluffs, calm beaches, sea caves and tide pools, and around 20,000 acres of protected wilderness. But it’s also a large town, with streets lined with galleries, restaurants and cafes, and some seriously luxurious hotels and resorts, some of which we’ve included on our list of the best places to stay in Laguna Beach.
When it comes to atmosphere and ambience, Laguna Beach differs from other Californian beach towns, because of its strong traditions in the arts, and its arts-and-crafts cottages and bungalows. And Laguna Beach’s waterfront is dotted with public sculptures, so it’s got a bit of a Riviera feel. The beachfront hotels are certainly some of the most popular, but if you’re looking for incredible views you should aim a little higher and consider staying close to Alta Laguna Park, which is where the Top of the World Walk starts. The area around the Crystal Cove State Park is worth considering too, and Thousand Steps Beach.
If you’d prefer to be in the thick of things then stay along Main Beach, which is just a short stroll from the centre of town. And if you’re looking for an escape consider The Ranch at Laguna Beach, a real ranch, surrounded by green parkland and mountain views, yet close to the heart of Laguna Beach.
As with all coastal towns in this region, the best places to stay in Laguna Beach get filled up pretty quickly. So if you're planning a visit, do your homework and book well ahead.
