A Local's Guide to Laguna Beach
Our favorite restaurants in Laguna
Food! Nom nom nom
Excellent Mexican food. Also great for brunch (weekends only). Directly across the street from Main Beach, by the movie theater.
13 personas locales recomiendan
Carmelita's
217 Broadway StExcellent Mexican food. Also great for brunch (weekends only). Directly across the street from Main Beach, by the movie theater.
Best thai food around. Great noodles, fried rice, salads and curry. You can get take-out, walk across the street to Main Beach and watch the sunset from one of the benches on the boardwalk.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Thai Brothers
238 Laguna AveBest thai food around. Great noodles, fried rice, salads and curry. You can get take-out, walk across the street to Main Beach and watch the sunset from one of the benches on the boardwalk.
Our favorite sushi place in town. Baked halibut roll for dessert! Nice views of the sunset. Popular place, often has a wait to get in. They also have good steaks and chicken teriyaki for people who don't like sushi.
8 personas locales recomiendan
San Shi Go Restaurant
858 S Coast HwyOur favorite sushi place in town. Baked halibut roll for dessert! Nice views of the sunset. Popular place, often has a wait to get in. They also have good steaks and chicken teriyaki for people who don't like sushi.
The ramen is so so good. If you get an extra side of noodles you can get two meals out of it. Also good place for beers at happy hour, nice appetizers for cheap.
Gu Ramen Taps and Tapas
907 S Coast HwyThe ramen is so so good. If you get an extra side of noodles you can get two meals out of it. Also good place for beers at happy hour, nice appetizers for cheap.
Everything here is really good: rainbow salad, pho baguette dip, spring rolls, golden curry... a great new addition to Laguna's restaurant club
Saigon Beach - Laguna Beach
1750 South Coast HighwayEverything here is really good: rainbow salad, pho baguette dip, spring rolls, golden curry... a great new addition to Laguna's restaurant club
American. Comfort food. Zucchini planks! Great food and really friendly service, in a beautiful old historic building across from City Hall. Walking distance from our place. The owner is often working here, really nice guy.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Lumberyard
384 Forest AveAmerican. Comfort food. Zucchini planks! Great food and really friendly service, in a beautiful old historic building across from City Hall. Walking distance from our place. The owner is often working here, really nice guy.
American. Comfort food. Fried chicken with mashed potatoes!! Also really good soups and salads. Plenty of parking above Pavilions market, or in the parking lot at street level.
25 personas locales recomiendan
Reunion Kitchen + Drink
5775 E Santa Ana Canyon RdAmerican. Comfort food. Fried chicken with mashed potatoes!! Also really good soups and salads. Plenty of parking above Pavilions market, or in the parking lot at street level.
American. Comfort food. Popular place, we love the sea bass here. There is often a wait list. Protip: put your name on the list, tell the host you're going nextdoor to the Saloon (in beautiful Peppertree Lane) for a drink. They will come get you when your table is ready.
61 personas locales recomiendan
Nick's Laguna Beach
440 S Coast HwyAmerican. Comfort food. Popular place, we love the sea bass here. There is often a wait list. Protip: put your name on the list, tell the host you're going nextdoor to the Saloon (in beautiful Peppertree Lane) for a drink. They will come get you when your table is ready.
Really good Mexican food, breakfast too.
14 personas locales recomiendan
South of Nick's Laguna Beach | Mexican Kitchen+Bar
540 S Coast HwyReally good Mexican food, breakfast too.
Great burgers and pomme frites. Steak tartare if you're into that. In a really cool, historic building below street level on Forest Ave. They also have a DJ playing music here at night sometimes...
15 personas locales recomiendan
Brussels Bistro
222 Forest AveGreat burgers and pomme frites. Steak tartare if you're into that. In a really cool, historic building below street level on Forest Ave. They also have a DJ playing music here at night sometimes...
Family owned, consistently good Chinese food. A local favorite, been around forever. They do a lot of take-out, but it's nice to eat inside too. They also have good lunch specials.
Mandarin King
1223 N Pacific Coast HwyFamily owned, consistently good Chinese food. A local favorite, been around forever. They do a lot of take-out, but it's nice to eat inside too. They also have good lunch specials.
Pizza, sandwiches, pasta and salads. The Rasta Pasta salad (half pasta, half lettuce) is a local favorite, gotta substitute field greens for the iceberg though. 🥗
7 personas locales recomiendan
Gina's Pizza & Pastaria
610 N Coast HwyPizza, sandwiches, pasta and salads. The Rasta Pasta salad (half pasta, half lettuce) is a local favorite, gotta substitute field greens for the iceberg though. 🥗
To-go carryout Mexican place with tacos, burritos, salads, tortas, quesadillas... There is a small one downtown on Mermaid Street, with a few tables outside, and a bigger one in South Laguna -- with a large indoor dining room and bar -- in the same complex as Gelson's Market and Ruby's, on the east side of PCH opposite the Montage Resort.
40 personas locales recomiendan
La Sirena Grill
347 Mermaid StTo-go carryout Mexican place with tacos, burritos, salads, tortas, quesadillas... There is a small one downtown on Mermaid Street, with a few tables outside, and a bigger one in South Laguna -- with a large indoor dining room and bar -- in the same complex as Gelson's Market and Ruby's, on the east side of PCH opposite the Montage Resort.
Awesome fresh hummus and pitas. Good paninis too. A great place to get food to go, and then have a picnic across the street at Heisler Park.
Zeytoon Cafe
412 N Coast HwyAwesome fresh hummus and pitas. Good paninis too. A great place to get food to go, and then have a picnic across the street at Heisler Park.
Taco shop. Blackened mushroom and tofu burger. Nachos, quesadillas, tacos.... one of the few places in town that is open late. The owner Gonzalo is really cool, he goes to Burning Man every year 😋
8 personas locales recomiendan
Taco Loco
640 S Coast HwyTaco shop. Blackened mushroom and tofu burger. Nachos, quesadillas, tacos.... one of the few places in town that is open late. The owner Gonzalo is really cool, he goes to Burning Man every year 😋
Hummus and Guacamole and sprouts sandwich. Fresh juices, salads and soups. A hippie landmark, been around forever. Good vibes. Next to the Bike Shop on Thalia.
7 personas locales recomiendan
The Stand Natural Foods
238 Thalia StHummus and Guacamole and sprouts sandwich. Fresh juices, salads and soups. A hippie landmark, been around forever. Good vibes. Next to the Bike Shop on Thalia.
Beer. Wood fired pizza. Right around the corner from our place, next to the Sawdust Festival. They have a lot of TVs with most of the big sporting events on...
Laguna Beach Beer Company
859 Laguna Canyon RoadBeer. Wood fired pizza. Right around the corner from our place, next to the Sawdust Festival. They have a lot of TVs with most of the big sporting events on...
Great vietnamese food, a short walk from our place, across from the Laguna Beach Beer Company, next to the Sawdust Festival. The owners are a really nice couple and one of them is usually working. This is a very popular spot with the LCAD art college students.
Another Kind Cafe
793 Laguna Canyon RoadGreat vietnamese food, a short walk from our place, across from the Laguna Beach Beer Company, next to the Sawdust Festival. The owners are a really nice couple and one of them is usually working. This is a very popular spot with the LCAD art college students.
Breakfast. Classic diner. All your breakfast favorites are done well here: pancakes, french toast, huevos rancheros. Family owned, been here forever.
Penguin Cafe
981 S Coast HwyBreakfast. Classic diner. All your breakfast favorites are done well here: pancakes, french toast, huevos rancheros. Family owned, been here forever.
Breakfast and coffee, really good muffins and pastries. Often sold out by 11 am. Scrambled egg and vegetable croissant is a local favorite. Also really good potato leek soup. Only open for breakfast and lunch.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Cafe Heidelberg
1100 S Coast HwyBreakfast and coffee, really good muffins and pastries. Often sold out by 11 am. Scrambled egg and vegetable croissant is a local favorite. Also really good potato leek soup. Only open for breakfast and lunch.
Really good breakfast. Fresh squeezed OJ. A little on the pricey side, but the food is excellent. Plus if you get bacon and eggs here, it automatically comes with a side of french toast. 🇫🇷 You can get away with getting one breakfast and splitting it with two people.
Anastasia Cafe
460 Ocean AveReally good breakfast. Fresh squeezed OJ. A little on the pricey side, but the food is excellent. Plus if you get bacon and eggs here, it automatically comes with a side of french toast. 🇫🇷 You can get away with getting one breakfast and splitting it with two people.
Breakfast & coffee, nice outdoor seating area. No meat served here. They make their own granola. Very popular and busy place, especially on the weekends. Across the street from the back side of the post office, on Ocean Ave.
56 personas locales recomiendan
Zinc Cafe & Market
3222 East Coast HwyBreakfast & coffee, nice outdoor seating area. No meat served here. They make their own granola. Very popular and busy place, especially on the weekends. Across the street from the back side of the post office, on Ocean Ave.
Shirley's Bagels
270 E 17th StBagels & coffee
Good, cheap Mexican food. Been around forever. The owners are really great people. They also have a little bar when you can get a pitcher of beer while you wait for your food, and watch a Lakers game on TV with some local rumballs lol
Adolfo's Mexican Food
998 S Coast HwyGood, cheap Mexican food. Been around forever. The owners are really great people. They also have a little bar when you can get a pitcher of beer while you wait for your food, and watch a Lakers game on TV with some local rumballs lol
We love the happy hour food and drinks here, and the owners are super friendly and nice. Great service, family friendly place.
GG's Bistro
540 S Coast HwyWe love the happy hour food and drinks here, and the owners are super friendly and nice. Great service, family friendly place.
Great brunch, friendly service, micheladas and bloody marys. It's on PCH in South Laguna, near Table Rock beach.
26 personas locales recomiendan
Coyote Grill
31621 Coast HwyGreat brunch, friendly service, micheladas and bloody marys. It's on PCH in South Laguna, near Table Rock beach.
Pizza (Crystal cove, just north of Laguna). This is now a pretty big chain with restaurants in several states, but the first one was in South Laguna and the owner Sid lives here in town. We usually go to the Crystal Cove one because it's closer than the SoLag one.
25 personas locales recomiendan
zpizza
4612 2nd StPizza (Crystal cove, just north of Laguna). This is now a pretty big chain with restaurants in several states, but the first one was in South Laguna and the owner Sid lives here in town. We usually go to the Crystal Cove one because it's closer than the SoLag one.
Mexican (Crystal Cove, just north of Laguna). The first, original Javier's Restaurant was in downtown Laguna, on PCH. I miss it so much. This one is big and pretty impressive, though. It is usually crowded and it's not cheap. Huge selection of tequila.
73 personas locales recomiendan
Javier's Restaurant - Newport Beach
7832 Pacific Coast HwyMexican (Crystal Cove, just north of Laguna). The first, original Javier's Restaurant was in downtown Laguna, on PCH. I miss it so much. This one is big and pretty impressive, though. It is usually crowded and it's not cheap. Huge selection of tequila.
Fresh fish, poke, fish tacos and burritos (Crystal Cove, just north of Laguna). There is usually a line, they do mostly take-out.
78 personas locales recomiendan
Bear Flag Fish Company
3421 Via LidoFresh fish, poke, fish tacos and burritos (Crystal Cove, just north of Laguna). There is usually a line, they do mostly take-out.
Deli, Italian sandwich, pastrami, steaks, burgers (to cook yourself), chicken skewers, etc. (Crystal Cove, just north of Laguna)
8 personas locales recomiendan
The Butchery Quality Meats
8058 E Pacific Coast HwyDeli, Italian sandwich, pastrami, steaks, burgers (to cook yourself), chicken skewers, etc. (Crystal Cove, just north of Laguna)
Our favorite market/grocery store. Cheese, wine, pasta, produce. (Crystal Cove, just north of Laguna)
175 personas locales recomiendan
Trader Joe's
3329 S Bristol StOur favorite market/grocery store. Cheese, wine, pasta, produce. (Crystal Cove, just north of Laguna)
Bars
Always drink responsibly and take a cab/Uber or walk home 🙏
Stand up bar between Nick's and Watermarc in the beautiful Peppertree Lane off of PCH. The Saloon is the place the locals usually go to have a drink or two before heading to the Sandpiper, which usually gets busy a little later around 11 pm. Order a popo shot for a little local flavor, it's half coffee with half something else that resembles Kahlua.
8 personas locales recomiendan
The Saloon
446 S Coast HwyStand up bar between Nick's and Watermarc in the beautiful Peppertree Lane off of PCH. The Saloon is the place the locals usually go to have a drink or two before heading to the Sandpiper, which usually gets busy a little later around 11 pm. Order a popo shot for a little local flavor, it's half coffee with half something else that resembles Kahlua.
A.K.A the Dirty Bird. A local institution. The only dive bar left in town. They have no windows, but they do have foosball, darts, and a Golden Tee video game (sadly, Centipede is no longer).
Also, live music every night and they are open 365 days a year. Famous (or infamous?) for their strong and relatively (by Laguna standards, anyway) cheap cocktails. Order a Fernet Branca to honor Chip!
15 personas locales recomiendan
Sandpiper
1183 S Coast HwyA.K.A the Dirty Bird. A local institution. The only dive bar left in town. They have no windows, but they do have foosball, darts, and a Golden Tee video game (sadly, Centipede is no longer).
Also, live music every night and they are open 365 days a year. Famous (or infamous?) for their strong and relatively (by Laguna standards, anyway) cheap cocktails. Order a Fernet Branca to honor Chip!
They have a record player! This is the closest we have to a Speakeasy in this town. Hidden and tucked away behind a General Store.
The Seahorse Bar at Pearl Street General
1796 S Coast HwyThey have a record player! This is the closest we have to a Speakeasy in this town. Hidden and tucked away behind a General Store.
Sunset spot. None of these pictures look like the Deck. It's a big outdoor patio overlooking Sleepy Hollow beach. It's next to the Pacific Edge Hotel (formerly Vacation Village).
The food is decent, although most people come here to get a drink and take in the views.
38 personas locales recomiendan
Deck on Laguna Beach
627 Sleepy Hollow LnSunset spot. None of these pictures look like the Deck. It's a big outdoor patio overlooking Sleepy Hollow beach. It's next to the Pacific Edge Hotel (formerly Vacation Village).
The food is decent, although most people come here to get a drink and take in the views.
The Royal Hawaiian
331 N Coast HwyThe lapu lapu is sneaky strong. Don't try to drink more than one.
Dining on the actual beach
Breakfast/lunch/dinner place on the beach at Crystal Cove. They have a little outdoor bar where's there's usually no wait. Sunset spot, too.
80 personas locales recomiendan
Beachcomber Cafe
15 Crystal CoveBreakfast/lunch/dinner place on the beach at Crystal Cove. They have a little outdoor bar where's there's usually no wait. Sunset spot, too.
Parks
Beautiful sunset picnic spot, less crowded than Heisler Park
9 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Crescent Bay Point
Crescent Bay DriveBeautiful sunset picnic spot, less crowded than Heisler Park
The best beach walk around if it's high tide and you can't walk on the actual beach. Nice wide path that runs from Las Brisas restaurant & Laguna Art Museum just north of Main Beach (going north) all the way to Divers Cove. Plus, you can watch the lawnbowlers.
74 personas locales recomiendan
Heisler Park
375 Cliff DrThe best beach walk around if it's high tide and you can't walk on the actual beach. Nice wide path that runs from Las Brisas restaurant & Laguna Art Museum just north of Main Beach (going north) all the way to Divers Cove. Plus, you can watch the lawnbowlers.
I grew up near this park so it has a special place in my heart. In the summer the City has the Concert in the Park program here on Sundays (check the LB City's website for program schedule)
7 personas locales recomiendan
Bluebird Park
772 Cress StI grew up near this park so it has a special place in my heart. In the summer the City has the Concert in the Park program here on Sundays (check the LB City's website for program schedule)
You can walk here from Canyon Acres, just follow the fire road at the end of the street and keep going up up up. It's about 1,000 elevation gain so wear good shoes and bring plenty of water. And watch out for rattlesnakes in the Summertime!
Alta Laguna PArk
3300 Alta Laguna BlvdYou can walk here from Canyon Acres, just follow the fire road at the end of the street and keep going up up up. It's about 1,000 elevation gain so wear good shoes and bring plenty of water. And watch out for rattlesnakes in the Summertime!
Nice play structure and swings for little kids
53 personas locales recomiendan
Parque de la Playa Principal
Nice play structure and swings for little kids
Plenty of room to put down a blanket and not be anywhere near other people. Best way to get here is to park at the Los Trancos parking lot on east side of PCH (which is a little ways north of Crystal Cove shopping center with Trader Joe's & Javier's restaurant) and walk through the tunnel which goes under PCH to the beach. Protip: buy a drink at the Beachcomber, get your parking validated, save $15
Crystal Cove State Park
Plenty of room to put down a blanket and not be anywhere near other people. Best way to get here is to park at the Los Trancos parking lot on east side of PCH (which is a little ways north of Crystal Cove shopping center with Trader Joe's & Javier's restaurant) and walk through the tunnel which goes under PCH to the beach. Protip: buy a drink at the Beachcomber, get your parking validated, save $15
Nice little park by the Montage hotel/resort. You can walk south to Aliso Beach, or north to Victoria Beach if the tide is low enough and the surf is small. Call the Laguna Beach Lifeguards recorded daily message at 949-494-6573 to get the most up to date ocean conditions.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Treasure Island
30799 S Coast HwyNice little park by the Montage hotel/resort. You can walk south to Aliso Beach, or north to Victoria Beach if the tide is low enough and the surf is small. Call the Laguna Beach Lifeguards recorded daily message at 949-494-6573 to get the most up to date ocean conditions.
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
28373 Alicia PkwyBeautiful park with basketball hoops! Also lots of great hiking and mountain biking. Lots of people walking dogs, too.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Moulton Meadows Park
Beautiful park with basketball hoops! Also lots of great hiking and mountain biking. Lots of people walking dogs, too.
Farmer's Market (Every Saturday)
Laguna Beach Saturday Farmers Market
521 Forest AveEvery Saturday morning from 7 am to 12 noon, next to City Hall
Our favorite beaches
Shaws Cove, Laguna Beach
Crescent Bay Beach
Bluebird Beach
1603-1613 S Coast HwyCress Street Beach
Cress StreetWoods Cove-Beach
Picnic Cove
361 Cliff DrDivers Cove
Diver's Cove, Laguna Beach, California, USA.
Table Rock Beach
31561 Table Rock Dr1,000 Steps Beach
31972 Coast HwyThousand Steps Sea Cave
North La Senda DriveWest Street Beach
Moss Cove
139 Moss StSightseeing
Every summer from end of June through the end of August, and every winter on the weekends only
91 personas locales recomiendan
Sawdust Art Festival
935 Laguna Canyon RdEvery summer from end of June through the end of August, and every winter on the weekends only
Every summer from end of June through the end of August. Live music as well.
113 personas locales recomiendan
Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
650 Laguna Canyon RdEvery summer from end of June through the end of August. Live music as well.
Parque de la Playa Principal
Note: the Club is private and accessible to Members only. Established in 1931, it is the largest in the USA. LBLBC is situated in Heisler Park overlooking the Pacific. Bonus: you can watch the local surf spot Rockpiles from the Club's south green.
Laguna Beach House
475 N Coast HwyNote: the Club is private and accessible to Members only. Established in 1931, it is the largest in the USA. LBLBC is situated in Heisler Park overlooking the Pacific. Bonus: you can watch the local surf spot Rockpiles from the Club's south green.
James Dilley Greenbelt Preserve
350 Artisan DrHiking
Moro Canyon Trail
Moro Canyon TrailCrystal Cove State Park Moro Campground
8471 N Coast HwyPepper Tree Lane
446 S Coast HwyOak Street Lookout
155 Oak St
Woodland Drive
Woodland Drive
Fairywood Lane
Fairywood Lane
Victory Walk
Victory WalkDartmoor Trail Lookout, Laguna Beach, Ca
Dartmoor StreetValido Trail
Valido TrailNice hiking trail in North Laguna -- bring plenty of water and good footwear because it can be a steep climb
Pinecrest Drive
Pinecrest DriveNice hiking trail in North Laguna -- bring plenty of water and good footwear because it can be a steep climb
Similar to Oak Street overlook, but smaller and closer to downtown. Lots of people taking selfies here.
Brown's Park
551 S Coast HwySimilar to Oak Street overlook, but smaller and closer to downtown. Lots of people taking selfies here.