Three days in Laguna Beach

How the three days fit together

The first day stays on the water, the second goes up Laguna Canyon Road into county wilderness and the third stays indoors and downtown. If rain is forecast, move the canyon day to the end of the trip: OC Parks says trails may stay closed three days or more after rain, and its rules say the park can close in wet weather. Start with the weekend plan if you want the full coastal itinerary; this page keeps the first day short.

Day one: Crystal Cove and the shoreline

Crystal Cove State Park lies off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, at 8471 North Coast Highway. State Parks lists day use from 6 a.m. to sunset, with the Historic District open until 10 p.m. As of October 2026 the day-use fee is $15 per vehicle, or $20 at holiday, seasonal and weekend rates, and State Parks says the fee can change. The park describes tidepools and sandy coves, hillside and canyon trails and about 2,400 acres of backcountry. Dogs are allowed on paved areas only.

Check the park’s page before you drive. As of October 28, 2026, State Parks showed the park open with restrictions in services and facilities and the Historic District affected by a swell event and high tides.

Come back to town for the afternoon. Pick two of the coves from the weekend plan, such as Shaw’s Cove or Treasure Island, and time them to the low tide. Laguna Ocean Foundation lists 2.5 feet or lower for most of its tide pool sites. The city’s rules are short: collect nothing, never pick up or touch animals, never turn over rocks and walk gently. See the tide pools guide.

Day two: the canyons

Two OC Parks wilderness parks sit above town, and both close at sunset.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. The entrance is at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road. The park is open from 7 a.m. to sunset and the parking lot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking costs $3 a day. OC Parks counts forty miles of trails. The Nix Nature Center is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guided tours on foot or by bicycle are led by volunteer naturalists and park staff. The park page lists staging areas.

Park rules matter more here than on the beach. Stay on trails marked with trail posts, bring no dog, leave the e-bike at home, light no fire, and do not wade in creeks or the lake. OC Parks warns of mountain lions, rattlesnakes, poison oak and rugged terrain.

Aliso and Wood Canyons and Top of the World. Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is open from 7 a.m. to sunset, with $3 daily parking, and covers about 4,500 acres. For Top of the World at Alta Laguna Park, the city says the open space near the park closes at sunset and is part of Aliso and Wood Canyons, so leave early enough to be out by then. The hiking guide compares routes.

On weekends through June 25, 2027, the Canyon Route trolley runs from Lot 16 at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road. You pay $5 to park and ride free into town from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., every 30 minutes. Lot 16 is closed to the public Monday to Friday.

On the way back down Laguna Canyon Road, Pacific Marine Mammal Center at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road lists public hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. It closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and may close on short notice for weather.

Day three: museums and galleries

Laguna Art Museum at 307 Cliff Drive is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes on New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It has no parking lot. Spend the morning there.

For the early afternoon, the Laguna Beach Historical Society’s Murphy Smith Bungalow at 278 Ocean Avenue lists most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., with volunteer docents. Confirm with the society before you go, since “most” leaves room for exceptions.

Spend the rest of the day on the galleries and the town’s public art. If this day is a first Thursday, the Art Walk runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and the museum is free during those hours.

Getting around the three days

The free Coastal Route trolley runs along Coast Highway; the city’s schedule from September 8, 2026 to June 25, 2027 is in the trolley guide, which also covers the summer routes. The parking guide lists lots and meters. For meals, use the Eat & drink pages.