01
Best overall pick
Main Beach
Downtown Laguna • Lively Central Beach With A Classic Boardwalk Feel • Essential First Stop Near Casa Loma
Laguna’s signature stretch of sand, just down the hill from Casa Loma, with a constant mix of surfers, swimmers, and people-watchers.
If you walk straight down from the Casa Loma area, this is the first big sweep of sand you hit, complete with lifeguard towers, volleyball courts, and a beachfront promenade. It’s ideal for a no-fuss beach day when you want easy access to coffee, snacks, and shops between dips in the ocean. Expect crowds on weekends, but the energy is part of the appeal.
02
Best for scenic headlands
Crescent Bay Beach
North Laguna • Wide Sandy Cove Framed By Rocky Headlands • Great For Views And Gentler Surf
A sweeping cove at the north end of town with dramatic cliffs, offshore rocks, and a more relaxed pace than the downtown strip.
Crescent Bay is worth the short drive from Casa Loma when you want a classic postcard view of Laguna without the Main Beach bustle. The sand arcs between two headlands, so you get a semi-sheltered feel plus great vantage points from the surrounding bluff-top park. It’s a solid choice for casual swimming and sunbathing, especially on clear, calm days.
03
Best for tide pools and photos
Treasure Island Beach
South Laguna / Montage Area • Resort-Backed Cove With Landscaped Bluff Paths • Most Picturesque Near Casa Loma
A meticulously kept cove below the Montage resort, with tide pools, gentle waves, and some of the most photogenic scenery on the coast.
Treasure Island feels polished without losing its coastal character, with paved paths and overlooks that make it easy to wander and linger. At low tide, the rocky edges reveal tide pools teeming with starfish, anemones, and crabs, best enjoyed with a slow, careful walk. It’s a favorite for golden-hour photos and mellow beach time rather than high-energy surf sessions.
04
Best for snorkeling
Shaw's Cove
North-Central Laguna • Small, Sheltered Neighborhood Cove • Local Favorite For Calm Water Exploring
A tucked-away pocket of sand with relatively calm water that draws snorkelers, divers, and locals looking for a quieter session in the ocean.
Shaw's Cove sits in a residential pocket north of downtown, so it feels more like a locals’ hangout than a tourist stop. The rocky reef just offshore attracts bright fish and kelp, making it one of Laguna’s go-to spots for entry-level snorkeling and shore diving when conditions cooperate. Space is limited and street parking fills quickly, so aim for earlier in the day if you’re heading out from Casa Loma by car.
05
Best for adventurous days
Thousand Steps Beach
Far South Laguna • Dramatic Cliffside Surf Beach • Great For Serious Surf And Wild-Feeling Scenery
A long, wild-feeling stretch of sand backed by steep bluffs and reached by a famously long set of stairs that keeps things uncrowded.
Despite the name, the staircase is fewer than a thousand steps, but you will feel the climb on the way back up from the beach. Once you’re down, the wide shore, consistent waves, and towering cliffs make it feel much farther from town than it actually is. This is a better pick for strong swimmers and experienced surfers than for small kids, and it’s a fun contrast to the more polished beaches closer to Casa Loma.