Mountain Road Beach

What it’s like

Mountain Road Beach lies at the foot of the Mountain Road stairway, just under a mile south of Main Beach in a straight line. The city says it is bordered by Cress Street Beach to the north and Bluebird Beach to the south.

The city lists body boarding, bodysurfing and swimming as the popular activities. It also warns that hazardous and rip conditions are always present, and that the reefs to the north and the shore break off the beach can cause head and neck injuries. The two rips are in the Cress Street area, and the second major rip current runs south toward Bluebird Beach. The city adds that many submerged rocks sit in the area and asks for extreme caution entering and leaving the water.

Getting there and parking

You reach the beach by the stairway at the end of Mountain Road. OpenStreetMap maps the stairs where Mountain Road meets Gaviota Drive. No source gives a step count.

The Coastal Commission lists stairs at most street ends from Anita Street to Pearl Street, with street parking and no fee. The city says some areas have three-hour meters and others have very limited neighborhood parking. The city’s parking page lists enforcement from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., but its lot list gives 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the off-season through June 2027, so check the meter. The parking guide covers meters, permits and the summer lots.

Cress Street has the next stairway about 350 feet north. The ramp to Bluebird Beach, at Coast Highway and Bluebird Canyon Drive, is less than a quarter mile south.

The Coastal Commission lists no restrooms for this stretch. The city’s restroom picks are Main Beach, Treasure Island Beach and Crescent Bay Beach.

Rules and safety

The Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve, which runs from Abalone Point south to Goff Island, includes Mountain Road. Injuring, damaging, taking or possessing living, geological or cultural material is unlawful there. The city’s page for the beach adds that collecting rocks, shells or marine life is prohibited and that fishing is not allowed.

Swimming near a lifeguard and with a buddy is the city’s standing advice for every beach, and it notes that not every beach has a lifeguard at all times.

On the sand, dogs must be leashed, and from June 15 to September 10 they are allowed only before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Good to know

Beaches close from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. No alcohol, smoking or fires are allowed on them, and the alcohol rule covers adults 21 and over.

Housing and figures for the area are on The Village page.