Planning a bachelorette weekend in Laguna Beach

Where a group stays

Start with the hotels. The hotels in the Village, oceanfront hotels, resorts and inns and boutique hotels pages list properties with their own websites, so you can ask each about rooms for a group.

A rental house is harder. The city defines short-term lodging as stays of 30 days or less. It says short-term lodging is no longer allowed in its R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential districts, although units already permitted may continue. New units are allowed only in listed commercial and downtown districts with a use permit, and the city caps the total at 300 units plus 165 home-share units. Every listing must show the city’s license number, and the license comes with a 24-hour local contact, occupancy and parking limits, and a rental rules agreement that guests sign. Check the license number before you pay. The vacation rentals page and the short-term rentals guide explain what the rules mean for a guest.

Things to do together

Pick one or two activities rather than a full schedule. The tours page and the spas and wellness page list more operators.

• La Vida Laguna. At 1121 Glenneyre Street, it lists kayak, e-bike and paddle board tours and a group and team activities section that includes tide pool tours, yoga, sound baths and customized group outings, per its site.
• Laguna Ethos. At 763 South Coast Highway, it lists guided kayak, stand-up paddle and e-bike tours. Its site describes sunset kayak and paddle tours and lists picnic setups for 15 to 100 guests.
• Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. Trips depart from Dana Point Harbor, at 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive in Dana Point, south of Laguna Beach. Its site lists private charters, with capacity depending on the vessel from 1 to 149 passengers.
• Spa Montage Laguna Beach. The resort spa lists a 20,000-square-foot facility with steam rooms, saunas, a whirlpool and a couple’s suite, open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To ask about a group, call (949) 715-6010.

Free options fit around those: a walk along Heisler Park, the Main Beach boardwalk, tide pools at low tide and, on a first Thursday, the free Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. For meals, use the Eat & drink pages, and book ahead for a large table.

City rules that apply to a group

• Alcohol. The city does not allow alcohol on its beaches, even at 21. Municipal code 8.04.010 also bars drinking and open containers in public places, including parks, streets and parking lots, and 8.04.020 bars being intoxicated in a public place or on a beach. The code lists narrow exceptions, so read it before you plan around one.
• Balloons and plastic. Balloons are banned on beaches, parks and streets and may not be released. Disposable plastic food ware is not allowed at beaches, parks and trails.
• Sound. Under city code 7.25.120, speakers that amplify music or speech may not be unreasonably loud and may not run between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.
• Shade and gear. Umbrellas only, except in the city’s marked canopy zones. See beach rules.
• Reserving a spot. City parks are first come, first served. The city does not reserve or rent parks or barbecue facilities for parties or gatherings of any kind.
• Hours. City parks close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and beaches north of Aliso Creek close from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• Permits. The city issues permits for weddings, photography and film, alcohol and beach clean-ups. For a wedding or ceremony, see beach weddings.

Getting around without driving

The Coastal Route trolley is free and runs along Coast Highway. On the city’s schedule for September 8, 2026 to June 25, 2027, it runs until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with the first trolley at 7:30 a.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday, and until 7 p.m. on Sunday. Laguna Local, the free on-demand service, books through the Laguna Beach Transit app or by phone, lists more than 150 pickup points and a typical wait of 15 to 30 minutes, and does not guarantee pickup times. Plan the last ride home around those times. The trolley guide has the full schedule, and the parking guide covers the lots if some of the group drives.