Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Southern Beaches
BEACHES
About 1 mile south of downtown, secluded
Victoria Beach
has volleyball courts and
La
Tour
, a Rapunzel's-tower-like structure from 1926. Skimboarding (at the south end) and
scuba diving are popular here. Take the stairs down Victoria Dr; there's limited parking
along Pacific Coast Hwy.
Coast Hwy; parking per hr $1; 6am-10pm)
is popular with surfers, boogie boarders and skim-
boarders. With picnic tables, fire pits and a play area, it's also good for families. Pay-and-
display parking costs $1 per hour. Or drive south and park on Pacific Coast Hwy for free.
Jealously guarded by locals,
Thousand Steps Beach
is hidden about 1 mile south of Al-
iso Beach. Just past Mission Hospital, park along Pacific Coast Hwy or residential side
streets. At the south end of 9th St, more than 200 steps (OK, so it's not 1000) lead down to
the sand. Though rocky, the beach is great for sunbathing, surfing and bodysurfing.
FIRE!
Forest fires are an ever-present danger all over Southern California, a truth Laguna Beach
knows too well, due to fires large and small over the years. The canyons act like chimneys
and small grass fires can quickly become infernos. Use extreme caution when lighting
matches and don't just toss your cigarette butts - extinguish them with water or dirt, and
once they're completely out, dispose of them properly.
Diving & Snorkeling
With its coves, reefs and rocky outcroppings, Laguna is one of the best SoCal beaches for
of the
Glenn E Vedder Ecological Reserve
, an underwater park stretching to the northern
border of Main Beach. Check weather and surf conditions (949-494-6573) beforehand.
La-
guna Sea Sports
( 949-494-6965;
www.beachcitiesscuba.com
; 925 N Coast Hwy;
10am-6pm Mon-Thu, to 7pm Fri, 7am-7pm Sat, 8am-5pm Sun)
rents gear and offers classes.
Kayaking
