Sun, Sand and Surf: Laguna Beach, CA.

The combination of wild hike and bike trails and secret beach strands make Laguna Beach the hottest place in California to enjoy the summer. There are so many adventures and activities that it is almost impossible to manage it all in just one season.

However, a good place to start your summer is a visit to El Moro, located in the San Joaquin Hills of Crystal Cove State Park. The backcountry features 22 miles of nature trails that traverse through grassland peaks, riparian woodlands, coastal sage scrub habitat and sycamore oak woodland canopies. Many mountain bikers come here to roller coaster down to the valley floor and up to the canyon ridges as a way to soar with the Coopers’s hawks and White –Tailed Kites as they circle for prey. The I think I can trail is a particular favorite of these hardy sportsmen and is truly a test of their power and skill.

For those explorers that want to partake in a tamer experience, there are also complimentary expeditions that are offered by trained docents. Visitors can choose from a variety of recreational and educational tours that teach about the flora, fauna and natural history of the area. Back country tours include, guided hikes (3-5 miles), guided full-moon mountain bike rides, bat walks and astronomy night. Beach tours include tide pool walks, sunset –moonlight beach walks and habitat restoration. If the action in the back country isn’t enough for your crew, head over to Laguna Sea Sports for an underwater adventure. On these guided tours at Shaws Cove you will discover the best in Laguna Beach diving.  The action starts at the reef on the western end of the cove. Here, the tour moves seaward along the rocks and enters a long, 6 ft wide trench that leads all the way to the other side of the reef (east to west). The underwater arch is beautiful and gives visitors the illusion that they have just entered a secret sea cave. Purple sea urchins and bat stars embroider the walls and sea floor while bright orange Garibaldi gently swim by. There are also eels to greet and octopus to watch. On occasion you may even spot dolphins and seals swimming to the surface.

While Laguna Beach attracts residents and tourists with exotic events and nautical sports, the true allure of the city is its secret coves where explorers can descend steep staircases and find seclusion and peace of mind in a still unspoiled place. Table Rock is best for fishing, Rockpile for surfing and Victoria for tide pooling, but the best cove of them all is Thousand Steps.

This beach is equally as impressive as any of Hawaii’s beaches. It offers pristine shores and crystal clear waters. Make sure to come at low tide when you can hike south past the seawall and through the tube shaped sea cave in order to discover the most breathtaking geology in Laguna. Steep palisades give way to crashing surf and secret residential coves boast man-made tide pools filled with Opal Eye, Anemones and Starfish.

Another way to experience Laguna’s secret coves is to take a tour from the water. La Vida Laguna offers 2 hour guided eco-tours and is a great way to experience the splendor of the Pacific. There’s no way to get closer to the reefs, private beaches, tide pools and sea life. The adventure starts at Fishermen’s Cove and heads towards Main Beach, Bird Rock, Shaws Cove, Crescent Bay and Emerald Bay. The highlight is a close encounter with the seal colony at Seal Rock. It is exciting to watch the territorial disputes and courtship displays.

Further south along P.C.H is Aliso State Beach. This strand is the only beach in Laguna that offers easy parking and direct beach access. Because of these reasons the locals have made Aliso their “gathering place” for events and sport competitions.

Overall, Laguna Beach offers a great diversity of sites to see. From the Pelicans and Plovers that soar above the turquoise sea to the jade and travertine that line the furrowed cliffs, Laguna is nothing short of paradise, where the only bad thing is leaving the city behind.

Article by Julianna Danson, Staff Journalist and Co-Author of: Sun, Sand and Surf: The Ultimate Guide To Orange County Beaches, a beloved regional guidebook, features detailed information on every beach from Seal Beach Municipal Pier to San Onofre Trails. A new release will be coming soon!