Aliso Beach

What it’s like

Visit Laguna Beach calls Aliso Beach Park perhaps the most widely known of Laguna’s beaches. The Coastal Commission lists sand, rocky shore, a picnic area, wildlife viewing and tide pools. The park has restrooms, showers and a playground.

Aliso Creek runs to the ocean here. Visit Laguna Beach asks visitors to stay out of the creek area because it carries urban runoff that may contain bacteria, on the recommendation of the County Health Department.

The beach has a name in skimboarding. The Vic, an annual world championship of the sport, takes place here, and skimmers practice on the shore break year-round. On most days the waves break right on the shore, and Visit Laguna Beach says larger days can be intimidating for inexperienced swimmers. Surfing works only during the rare northern swell.

The City of Laguna Beach took over Aliso Beach and the other South Laguna beaches from the County of Orange on March 1, 2023, the date OC Parks’ pass sheet gave for the end of its management. The parking lot moved into the city’s parking system, and Visit Laguna Beach now lists it as Lot 22. The Coastal Commission’s file still lists the phone number of OC Parks’ South Coastal Operations office, so check the city’s current rules.

Getting there and parking

The park sits in the 31000 block of South Coast Highway. The Coastal Commission lists a path to the sand and disabled access. Beach-friendly wheelchairs are available first come, first served at Lifeguard Headquarters.

The city lists Lot 22 at 31131 Coast Highway as a paid lot with 258 spaces, 14 of them accessible, and an 8-hour limit. Rates and limits can change, so check the pay station and our parking guide. Visit Laguna Beach lists the park as open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Camel Point, just south of the main lot, has three more access points. Camel Point Beach Access #2 and #3 sit beside 31321 and 31351 Coast Highway, with stairs to parts of Aliso Beach and limited street parking. Access #1 runs through a gate at the end of Camel Point Drive. The free Coastal Route trolley runs from North Laguna through downtown to South Laguna, so check the city’s trolley page for the stop nearest the park.

The beaches below the Montage, including Treasure Island, lie less than a mile north.

Tide pools and reserve rules

Both the Coastal Commission and Visit Laguna Beach list tide pools at Aliso Beach. The beach sits inside the Laguna Beach State Marine Conservation Area, which California Fish and Wildlife describes as the shoreline from Goff Island south to Table Rock.

The rule is the same as in the reserve to the north: it is unlawful to injure, damage, take or possess any living, geological or cultural marine resource. Fishing is not allowed. In the pools, look, step with care and leave every animal and rock in place. Swimming, wading, boating, diving and surfing stay allowed unless a sign says otherwise.

Dogs are allowed on a leash of 6 feet or shorter. From June 15 to September 10, they are allowed only before 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. From September 11 to June 14, they follow regular beach hours.

The Department of Marine Safety answers questions about tides and surf.

Good to know

Aliso Beach sits at the line where the city’s beach closing hours change. Beaches north of Aliso Creek close between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., and beaches south of it close between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Aliso Beach Park itself keeps the 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. hours.