Always swim near a lifeguard and with a buddy — and follow common sense beach safety guidelines. Not every beach has a lifeguard at all times.

We recommend Main Beach, Treasure Island Beach, Crescent Bay Beach, or Aliso Creek Beach, which each have public restrooms and outdoor showers.

The water quality of Orange County beaches, including those in Laguna Beach, is monitored by the Orange County Health Care Agency.

The rocky outcroppings that make our beaches so pretty are also very dangerous. Every weekend we answer emergency calls from people who have injured themselves - or worse - on our rocks. Please use caution when walking or climbing on the rocks. Waves can be unpredictable and have swept many unsuspecting beachgoers off their feet.

Littering, smoking, or drinking alcohol on City beaches, parks, and trails is NOT permitted. The fine for smoking at City beaches, parks, and trails in Laguna Beach are $100 for the first offense, $200 for a second offense within a 12-month period, and $500 for third and subsequent offenses within the same period.

Click HERE to read the City of Laguna Beach's ordinance on littering. (7.20.070)

Click HERE to read the City of Laguna Beach's ordinance on smoking in public places. (7.40.030)

Click HERE to read the City of Laguna Beach's ordinance on drinking in public places. (8.04.010)

The City of Laguna Beach is dedicated to protecting its neighborhoods and the environment. As part of that mission, the City is committed to reducing plastic pollution that ends up on City streets, parks, and beaches. Path to Plastic-Free Laguna Beach offers visitors, residents, and businesses an unprecedented opportunity to play a pivotal role in reducing plastic pollution.

You can find more information on the Path to Plastic-Free webpage.

Click HERE to read the City of Laguna Beach's ordinance on prohibiting single-use plastic on City beaches, parks, and trails. (7.05.040)

• All retail businesses that sell, use, or distribute disposable food service ware within the City boundaries, are prohibited from selling, using, or distributing certain single-use, plastic, bioplastic, and polystyrene disposable food service ware items, including utensils and utensil sleeves, straws, stirrers, and takeout bags.

• Retail businesses may only provide alternative plastic food service ware (spoons, forks, knives, straws & stirrers) to customers upon request. 

• Disposable, plastic food service ware are not permitted at all parks, beaches, and trails.

The City of Laguna Beach is dedicated to protecting its environment and mitigating the harmful impacts from balloons coming into contact with ocean life, wildlife, and power lines. Balloon debris on City beaches, parks, streets, and trails is prolific and contributes to plastic and microplastic pollution, despite state laws and regulations that prohibit littering. For more information, please visit the Balloon-Free Laguna Beach webpage.

Click HERE to read the City of Laguna Beach's ordinance on prohibiting the sale, use, and distribution of balloons. (7.85.030)

• No Person that sells or distributes balloons of any kind, whether filled or unfilled, shall be permitted to sell or distribute any balloon.

• No Person shall intentionally release any balloon, regardless of fill, into the air.

• No Person shall use any balloon on any public area, including any public street, park, beach, sidewalk, recreational area or other City-owned or controlled property.

• No Person shall use any balloon at any City-sponsored event. 

• Beaches north of Aliso Creek close between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Beaches south of Aliso Creek close between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., with the exception of Thousand Steps Beach, which closes between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• There is no alcohol allowed on our beaches. Even if you're 21.
• There is no smoking in any public area of Laguna Beach, including our beaches.
• Dogs are allowed on the beach all year, but the times of day they are permitted depends on the time of year. During our busy summer season, June 15 - September 10, leashed dogs are allowed on the beach before 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. During the fall, winter, and spring, leashed dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of day. Dogs are not allowed at Thousand Steps Beach at any time. Read more about this rule in our Municipal Code.
• Umbrellas and tents must be smaller than 6 feet wide and 6 feet tall.
• Surfing is allowed at Agate, Brooks, Rockpile, and Thalia Street beaches.
• Fires are prohibited at all City beaches.
• You can read all beach regulations in our Municipal Code.