Woods Cove · State Marine Reserve
Agate Street Beach
Agate Street Beach is a sandy beach reached by a stairway at Agate Street and Ocean Way, about 1.2 miles south of Main Beach. The city lists it among its surfing beaches.
Photo: Sergei Gussev, CC BY 2.0
What it’s like
Agate Street Beach lies between Bluebird Beach to the north and Pearl Street Beach to the south, about 1.2 miles south of Main Beach in a straight line. The Coastal Commission describes the Anita Street to Pearl Street stretch as sandy beach and rocky shore.
The city’s beach information page lists Agate as one of four beaches where surfing is allowed. The other three are Brooks Street, Rockpile and Thalia Street. Next door, the city describes Pearl Street Beach as fairly rocky with reefs at its north and south ends, and Bluebird Beach as mostly sand with small reefs at its southern end.
Getting there and parking
You reach the beach by the stairway at Agate Street and Ocean Way. The city began replacing the stairs on September 11, 2017, and a news report that month said the Agate and Thalia accesses would stay closed during the work, with completion expected in April 2018. OpenStreetMap shows bicycle parking near the top of the stairs.
The Pearl Street stairs also meet Ocean Way, about 350 feet to the south. Orange County Coastkeeper’s directions for marine protected area monitors suggest looking for parking along Ocean Way for the Pearl Street stairs, or across Coast Highway and one block up the hill on Glenneyre Street. Both are worth checking for Agate.
The Coastal Commission lists stairs at most street ends from Anita Street to Pearl Street, with street parking and no fee. Beyond that, the city’s note applies: some areas have three-hour meters, others very limited neighborhood parking. The parking guide covers permits, enforcement hours and the summer lots, and the getting around guide covers the free trolley on Coast Highway.
The Coastal Commission lists no restrooms for the stretch. Main Beach, about 1.2 miles north, is one of the three beaches the city recommends for restrooms and showers.
Rules and safety
Agate is inside the Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve, which runs from Abalone Point south to Goff Island. Anything living, geological or cultural stays where it is: taking or possessing it is unlawful, and fishing is not allowed.
The city’s beach information page cautions that rocky outcroppings along the shore are hazardous and that waves are unpredictable. Its standing advice is to swim near a lifeguard and with a buddy, and it notes that not every beach has a lifeguard at all times.
Dogs need a leash, and from June 15 to September 10 they are limited to the hours before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Good to know
Beaches are closed from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Alcohol, smoking and fires are not allowed, and the alcohol ban includes adults 21 and over.
For homes and figures nearby, see Woods Cove.
Live from NOAA
Tides and water at Agate Street
| Day | High and low tides |
|---|---|
| Loading NOAA predictions… | |
Sources: NOAA tide predictions, station 9410580 and NOAA NDBC buoy 46253 (owned by Scripps). The buoy reads open water offshore; water at the beach can differ. Check posted lifeguard flags before you swim.
Things to do
Things to do at Agate Street
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Living nearby
Woods Cove, by the numbers
The closest neighborhood to Agate Street Beach. Read the Woods Cove guide.
CRMLS: homes for sale today; closed sales in the 12 months through October 19, 2026. A median needs 5 sales.
Questions
Can you surf at Agate Street Beach?
Yes. The city's beach information page names Agate Street as one of four beaches where surfing is allowed, along with Brooks Street, Rockpile and Thalia Street.
Where is the Agate Street stairway?
At Agate Street and Ocean Way, below Coast Highway, where OpenStreetMap maps it. The Pearl Street stairs, which also meet Ocean Way, are about 350 feet south.
Where do you park for Agate Street Beach?
There is no beach lot. Orange County Coastkeeper suggests Ocean Way for the Pearl Street stairs, and the Agate stairs also meet Ocean Way. The city says some areas have three-hour meters and others have very limited neighborhood parking.
Are there restrooms at Agate Street Beach?
No. The Coastal Commission lists none for the Anita Street to Pearl Street stretch. The city recommends Main Beach for restrooms and outdoor showers.
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Last reviewed
Sources (13)
- Surfing allowed at Agate, Brooks, Rockpile and Thalia; three-hour meters and limited neighborhood parking; restrooms at Main Beach, Treasure Island and Crescent Bay; rocky outcroppings and unpredictable waves; swim near a lifeguard and with a buddy; closing hours; alcohol ("Even if you're 21"), smoking and fire rules; lifeguard coverage (read via Wayback capture of June 14, 2026): lagunabeachcity.net, checked 2026-10-09
- Agate and Thalia stair replacement began September 11, 2017; both access points to remain closed while work is ongoing; completion expected April 2018: patch.com, checked 2026-10-09
- Coastkeeper route guide: stairs at Pearl Street and Ocean Way; parking along Ocean Way or on Glenneyre across Coast Highway and one block up the hill: coastkeeper.org, checked 2026-10-09
- Anita Street to Pearl Street listing: stairs at most street ends, on-street parking, no fee, sandy beach and rocky shore, no restrooms; Main Beach coordinates: api.coastal.ca.gov, checked 2026-10-09
- Free Coastal Route trolley on Coast Highway (row of the 2026-10-09 verified table): lagunabeachcity.net, checked 2026-10-09
- Dogs on leash, summer hours before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from June 15 to September 10 (read via Wayback capture of September 13, 2026): lagunabeachcity.net, checked 2026-10-09
- Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve runs from Abalone Point to Goff Island; no-take rule; no fishing: wildlife.ca.gov, checked 2026-10-09
- Location of the stairs at Agate Street and Ocean Way (OpenStreetMap steps way, beside both streets): api.openstreetmap.org, checked 2026-10-09
- Bicycle parking near the top of the Agate Street stairs (OpenStreetMap node): api.openstreetmap.org, checked 2026-10-09
- Agate Street position used for distances to Pearl Street: nominatim.openstreetmap.org, checked 2026-10-09
- City descriptions of the neighboring beaches: Pearl Street fairly rocky with reefs at the north and south ends (read via Wayback capture of March 9, 2026): lagunabeachcity.net, checked 2026-10-09
- Bluebird Beach: mostly sandy stretch with small reefs at the southern end (read via Wayback capture of December 13, 2025): lagunabeachcity.net, checked 2026-10-09
- Closest neighborhood: the realatrends.com Woods Cove page lists homes at 455 Agate and on Pearl Street: realatrends.com, checked 2026-10-09