Best Beaches in Orange County
Here are some of my favorite beaches in Orange County!
San Onofre ‑ San Clemente
Grab your long boards and get to the beach early to beat the line of cars that will likely form on summer weekends to get in ($15 for a day pass if you don’t have the annual pass for CA State Parks and no hourly meters). The area of beach is divided by the locality (named from north to south) into three historical break spots known as “The Point,” “Old Man’s,” and “Dogpatch.” The water is covered by a rock reef, often making walking into or out of the waves difficult for first‑timers. Pack plenty of food, drinks, and snacks for a full day of fun in the sun (volleyball or bocce ball recommended!) The best way to do it is to grab a bbq pit or bring your own grill to watch the sun go down with salt in your hair and sand in your toes.
Lasuens ‑ San Clemente
The entrance is between homes at 2006 Calle De Los Alamos just south of the intersection of Calle Lasuen. The spot to be is down the steep stairs and slippery slope, across the train tracks, and north of the lifeguard tower by the volleyball courts! Great waves for long boarding, boogie boarding, or swimming. Locs only.
Strands ‑ Dana Point
A classic and a staple for DP locals because it always ends up being easy to get to (if you can walk some stairs). There is a funicular (small slow tram) at the north end of the parking lot for those that can’t hike down. If you walk north on the sand around the point you’ll get to the iconic Salt Creek Beach (that also has a lot more crowd).
Thousand Steps ‑ Laguna Beach
The good news is, it’s not really a thousand steps, but only carry what you can manage on your way back up! For my high school volleyball summer camp/tryouts we would run these steep stairs before practice and I think the girls concluded there are about 300 steps total. On the south side, you'll come to Laguna's most famous sea cave. On the north side, you can cross the rocks and get to another little cove called Tortuava. Be sure to keep an eye on the tides if you venture off the main beach. You’ll be going for a swim at high tide!
Treasure Island‑ Laguna Beach
The beach is managed by the city of Laguna Beach and the Montage Resort to give you the most pristine sand, clean bathrooms, wheelchair ramps, and grassy lawns overlooking the ocean. This is definitely a gem for the treasure chest!
Victoria ‑ Laguna Beach
Known for the elite volleyball court (north court) and iconic sights such as the famed “Pirate Tower” and a circular, man‑made rock pool that blew up thanks to Instagram. While Victoria has a degree of fame, it still remains one of the city’s most well‑kept secrets and is rarely overcrowded on the sand.
Crescent Bay ‑ Laguna Beach
Beautiful bay and amazing crystal clear water great for snorkeling and diving! I always see Garibaldi off the rocks! Bathrooms, outdoor shower, disabled access, and a descent amount of nearby parking make it feel like an easy spot to hang for hours. A popular spot for skim boarders with more shore break and not as family friendly for young children.
Emerald Bay ‑ Laguna Beach
PRIVATE BEACH ACCESS ONLY!
One of the most beautiful bays in all of OC! Can’t get in? You can also try joining the boaters that anchor in the bay and swim to shore to join. This is an amazing beach for families because there are so many activities to choose from‑ there is even a rare playground on the sand!
Three Arch Bay ‑ Laguna Beach
PRIVATE BEACH ACCESS ONLY!
Pristine blue water welcomes you here to this coveted beach. If anyone can get you into this community to access the beach, make them your new bestie, because there is nothing quite like it. Feeling adventurous? Climb up the rocks and go cliff jumping… or just watch other jumpers from your beach chair sipping a hard seltzer.