Farther south, the town of Laguna Beach has some of the nicest sands in the county. You’ll find more than a dozen separate beaches here, though many connect to one another—you’ll just have to choose your favorite. Heisler Park and the Main Beach Park (Pacific Coast Hwy.) offer protected waterways, with tidepools and plenty of water-based playground equipment. The two parks are connected, so you can walk from one to the other. Both display works of local art in the form of benches and sculptures.

Hang out on a bench, pick a spot on the sand to lounge about, or take a swim in the cool Pacific. If you’re into scuba diving, you can dive several reefs right off the beach.

You’ll find all the facilities and amenities you need at Heisler and Main Beach Parks, from picnic tables to lawns to restrooms. Please use the provided charcoal grills rather than bringing your own. You can park on the street if you find a spot, but be aware that the meters get checked all the time, so feed them well!