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    Thousand Steps Beach

    4.5 (812 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Sung W.

    1000 Steps Beach is one of my favorite spots in Laguna Beach. Yes, the stairs are a workout, but the gorgeous ocean views make every step worth it. We like coming early with our friends, bringing our chairs, beach tents, and plenty of snacks. It's always such a fun day of relaxing, enjoying the waves, exploring the tide pools, and spending quality time together. Just bring water and wear comfortable shoes for the climb back up. Parking can be challenging but we don't mind. Can't wait to come back!

    Peter J.

    Thousand Steps Beach feels like a hidden gem... if you're willing to earn it. The walk down is definitely a workout, though it didn't feel anywhere close to 1,000 steps. Still, the stairs are steep, so caution is needed both going down and coming back up. After spending the day at the beach, that climb somehow feels like 2,000+ steps and hits way harder than expected, so it's best to pace yourself. The beach itself is nice, calming, and clean, which makes the effort worth it. It's a great spot to relax once you're finally down there. Pro tip: pack light. If you bring every single beach "necessity," you will regret it on the way back up. I'm giving this place 4 stars, and the main reason it's not 5 is the parking situation. Parking is honestly horrifying. Parking lot is limited, and street parking is competitive, and mildly stressful before you even touch the steps. Amazing beach, great vibes, killer workout... just come prepared and patient.

    Bathroom at bottom of steps
    Chloe S.

    Thousand Steps Beach is gorgeous and the cave makes it totally worth all of the steps down to it. There are only about 219 steps (not a thousand). The steps are no joke though. They are pretty steep and concrete. I wouldn't recommend them for little kids. Make sure you go at low tide. They close the cave area when the tide comes in. The cave is on the far left side of the beach. You have to go over rocks to get there. It can be slippery. There were lifeguards on duty. It's so fun to explore inside the cave. We parked on PCH. There is no parking lot. I definitely recommend going in the morning. It's hard to find parking if you try to go in the afternoon/evening on a weekend/holiday. There is a crosswalk and stoplight at 9th Ave. to cross PCH and then the entrance is right there. There is a bathroom, but it is the typical beach bathroom--not very clean. There's a volleyball net on the left side of the beach. There are no restaurants/cafes. Bring whatever you want with you.

    Frank P.

    My third beach of the day. I think there were 225 steps here. Closer to the beach, the steps were wet so hold on to the hand rails so you don't slip. There is one restroom here They have a lifeguard during the summer season. I liked the beach. It wasn't to crowded. I can't believe a group brought a couple plastic tables for a picnic. They are going to be tired once they make the trek back to PCH. A couple people were going up and down the stairs several times for a workout. I enjoyed this beach too. Now I'm off to downtown for lunch before going home

    Anise K.

    Such a good workout, not gonna lie...the stairs are no joke, but totally worth it. I felt fit and happy after walking up without stopping. Definitely not 1000 steps but still very intense. The walk down is beautiful, and once you reach the beach, it feels peaceful and secluded. Definitely a bit of a trek, but that's part of what makes it so special. Perfect spot if you want something scenic and active.

    Hell of a work out but I loved it
    Traps B.

    Was very fun n was hell of a work out but I loved it and the view was also great they also have showers at the bottom of you need to rinse after the beach

    9th street where the entrance to the stairs are
    Mari B.

    1000 Steps Beach in Laguna Beach (off PCH and 9th) is absolutely worth the visit! First off, don't let the name intimidate you, the stairs are not literally 1000 steps one way or even round trip... unless you decide to go up and down a few times, then yeah, you'll definitely hit that number!! We went on a Monday and it was pretty busy lots of college-aged people, maybe even some high schoolers, but the beach itself still felt pretty secluded, and there were hardly any kids around maybe like a handful of them. It was overcast when we went, which actually made it perfect, not too hot and super comfortable. Parking is street parking only, just make sure to read the signs carefully. Once you head down, you'll find restrooms and showers right at the bottom of the stairs, which is super convenient. The restroom is clean earlier in the day (before noon), but like most beach spots, it gets a bit wet as the day goes on. There's plenty of space to set up and relax. One thing to watch out for--seagulls! They will go after your food, so definitely cover it with towels if you're hopping in the water. The stairs themselves are pretty narrow, and people usually stick to one side going down and the other going up, so just be mindful and take your time, they tend to also get wet as the day goes on so it's a little slippery.

    Jason T.

    God dam I was sore for a week after this. It's nothing too crazy but if you don't warm up or don't exercise on the regular you will definitely feel it :) very beautiful spot nonetheless

    Andrew W.

    First time coming here and it all starts with 1000 steps down!!!!.... Actually not that many, it's more like 200-250 steps but they call it to make people prep for the beautiful view that that can see from the shoreline! If you are around, it's worth the try going down there! BUT, there's only one bathroom so if there are many people you have to wait for good long time like I did... good 30 mins waiting just to pee :( so I just suggest to go to the restroom before coming here or just go to nature :p Overall, I had a good time spending time here but ironically waiting for bathroom was longer than seeing the ocean view... yet still it's worth it! So go visit! Enjoy the steps and the ocean view! Cheers

    Low tide cave :) heaven
    Em B.

    If you can make it down those 225-250 steps of stairs up and down - the trip is worth it. It is BEAUTIFULLY MAJESTIC when it is low tide! The cave is the only reason I come here. Once you can enter the cave at low tide, you get to see more and it makes it fun especially for kids AND ADULTS (lol) to explore. Bring your water/pool shoes so you don't slip or cut to your skins on those sharp rocks. Very slippery. TIPS: hide all shiny objects (bags, chips, candies, snacks etc..) inside your towel or your backpack because the birds will come after those shiny items. Parking is hard to find for sure so be careful.

    Tiny pool toward the south end of the beach (you have to climb over some rocks to get here)
    Stephanie W.

    Never been to a beach quite like this one. There are indeed MANY steps when you come to the main entrance but once you're on the beach it's just a long stretch of coast. Low tide is definitely when you want to come because there's a big part of the coast to venture along with little cave structures that you can cross safely on foot when the tide is low. The walk we took ended at a very cool little area with a man-made pool constructed from rocks; it reminds me of something you'd see in Greece. Apparently it was made for some movie shoot but ended up not being used? Whether or not that's true - it makes for a great photo op! Of note the water in that little pool comes from the sea at higher tide, so it's as cold as the ocean water. It's only up to your knees or so, so not really for swimming - but it's still fun to wade around! I saw some sea urchins along the inner wall too, so that's fun. Of note, some folks do live just above the beach area and that is private property so be mindful where you go and respectful where you are! But the beach itself is public so of course you can just go and spend some time. 10/10 would rec a visit to this beach - it's oddly idyllic, and very "California" to me. :)

    Beautiful shell we saw
    James T.

    1,000 steps is a local favorite spot. Even in the winter it was a lovely 70 degrees. The clouds burned off and we had a beautiful day at the beach with the family. We checked the surf report and saw the waves were only 1-2 feet so perfect for the kids to play in the water. Parking is always a bit challenging, but we found a spot on PCH and walked a few stressful blocks alongside the main road. The beach had so much room for groups to spread out and enjoy. The water was quite cold but the kids loved playing in the waves. We saw anemones, crabs, fish and other animals/ creatures in the tide pools. Make sure not to take anything with you because that's illegal and you can get in trouble from lifeguards/ rangers. There were boggie boarders, some fishermen and lots of families, groups and individuals enjoying this beautiful beach. I bet it gets very crowded in the summer, but it was about perfect for us today. There aren't any restaurants like the main Laguna beach but it's feels more relaxed because of that. We love this spot.

    Hayley H.

    Feel the burn.. and I'm not talking about the sunburn. Thousand Steps Beach is located at the bottom of a very steep staircase in Laguna Beach. Luckily for us, 1,000 steps is an exaggeration since the staircase is closer to 250. Unluckily for us, 250 steps is still a brutal workout. Our crew planned an impromptu trip on Presidents Day to explore the Laguna coastline. We successfully avoided tourist season and February gifted us with a small taste of summer. While this famous beach gets a small crowd, it's absolutely beautiful and incredibly well kept. You'll also notice that the crowd falls off as you walk further along the coastline. This beach is also home to one of Laguna's hidden gems! If you go left at the bottom of the staircase and hike for half a mile, you'll stumble upon a man made beachside pool. Be sure to visit during low tide, otherwise the cave entrance might be closed off to visitors.

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    1 year ago

    Very secluded and private. Lovely place to go if you want to get an insane leg workout

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    2 years ago

    This place is beautiful! but.... draws large crowds, much traffic, and parking is unsafe on main road.

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    Page 1 of 21

    Ask the Community - Thousand Steps Beach

    So, there is no wheelchair access or ramp for those who have a hard time walking?

    No. There is no special access for people with disabilities or the elderly. Apparently, the powers that be who control the money in Laguna Beach would rather fatten their own paychecks than spend money on something that should have been done on day… 

    Is this beach still open? (the stair case to walk down)

    Yes. People walk up and down every day for exercise and to get to the beach. It is the only public access in this area.

    Is the entrance to the steps open now?

    Yes, if entrance you mean the stairs down to the beach. I was there 12/6 it was open.

    Does this beach have restrooms?

    Yes

    Is the beach open to the public?

    Yes! On the weekends you can park at the hospital for free if it's a weekday it's on Pacific Coast Highway

    How strict are they about dogs(small dog)?

    They are not strict but all dogs should be on a leash and a couple of doggie bags to make sure you clean up if they gotta go. On occasion I see them run around without leash but the rule is they need to leashed for safety. Hope you and your little… 

    Is access to the tide pools currently open?

    As of now, yes I was there just last week... but the situation is fluid so I'd check just before you're planning to visit.

    What's the parking situation?

    A nightmare....no actual lot...so you must park on the side of the busy highway and avoid red areas and construction work and find a spot then walk to the entrance

    Is the beach still open?

    Yesss. And it's 252 steps not 1000.

    Is this beach currently open?

    as of yesterday 7/26/2020 it was open

    How's the parking situation?

    Terrible! It's first come/first to get one. Parking is usually on PCH or on the neighboring streets!

    Does anyone know if they still have fire pits? Also, if they do, where is it located because I've never seen them. Are there multiple pits? Thank you in advance!!

    Hi Eddie! I haven't seen approved fire pits at 1,000 Steps Beach. They do however, have them at Aliso Beach (South Laguna, South of Montage)

    Are the steps down right off 9th and PCH? Easy to find? Is the natural pool there as well? Go at low…

    The stairs are easy to find and yes they lead right to the beach. The natural pool is less than a 10 minute walk from the stairs. And yes you need to go at low tide

    Are dogs alllowed?

    No. Big blue sign @ front that reads" no dogs allowed on Beach"

    How many steps really is it?

    There are exactly 220 official steps!

    I am confused. Are the tide pools open to the public or not? I see conflicting reviews. I don't want to be yelled at by residents. If there are open to the public, how do you access them to avoid the locals?

    They are open to the public but what visitors typically don't know is: You should never walk on… 

    Hi I was wondering if to get to the pools it required a lot of climbing and jumping and if so is there any other way we could get there? i want to take my mother with me to see it but i don't think she would want to climb/ jump. Thank you :)

    I promise this isn't supposed to sound sarcastic or rude, but the only way to avoid the climbing of rocks (which REQUIRES you to do a lot of bending to stay stable sometimes and even jump down about 3 or 4 feet at the very end) is to make friends… 

    Is there another way to get down besides the steps?

    That is the only way I have ever seen to go down! There might be others somewhere else, but as far as that public access put it seemed to be just the steps.

    Is it really 1000 steps?

    No. But going back up, surely feels like it! A must do though.

    I saw posts from several months ago saying the pools were closed. Has anyone been there recently that knows for sure if they are still currently closed to the public or not? ??

    They're open but there are signs that say that the connecting stairs (leading to homes) belongs private property. If you're willing to make the climb over the rocks during low tide, they're all yours :)… 

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    Review Highlights - Thousand Steps Beach

    Just as described on many of the travel sites I read, the entrance to this beach is right at PCH & 9th Ave.

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    Treasure Island Beach

    Treasure Island Beach

    4.7
    (221 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    There's a section of the beach directly next to Goff Island that has amazing soft sand that is…read moredifferent from the sand from the stairs down to the beach and definitely not like Aliso Beach. The soft sand feels so good and the kids enjoyed playing with it as well. Being California Coast, don't expect ocean water to be warm as it'll never be warm and should not be since it'll be a destruction to the coastal ecosystem if it did. So, be prepared that it'll be cold to chilly depending on the weather of the day impacting change in temperature perception. Parking fills up quick so definitely come early during weekends and during sunset hours.

    This is a breathtaking beach. The views are like pictures from a magazine. It's definitely a…read moreromantic and scenic view to walk around and enjoy the day. However, this is not a kid friendly beach if kids want to go inside the water and play. There are lots of safety rules. Especially last week since waves were so high. Parking was such a disaster. I do not recommend following the parking structure because you will get stuck and I believe it fit about 30ish cars. Find parking along the street. It was my first time going and I observed and saw people just standing getting feet wet. The lifeguards told me that this is one of the most dangerous beaches in the county. People still laid out and kids brought sand toys to play on sand. I think I went on a bad week. We'll have to try another time. It's such a beautiful beach with clear blue water! Till next time.

    Photos
    Treasure Island Beach, Laguna Beach, CA
    Treasure Island Beach, Laguna Beach, CA
    Treasure Island Beach
    The beach & the park

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    The beach & the park
    Victoria Beach

    Victoria Beach

    4.5
    (231 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Victoria Beach is one of many hidden or secret beaches in Orange County. This is an extremely…read morepopular spot for photoshoot and there were tons of people coming here with their professional photographers. [Where is the beach]: Use the pin on Yelp's map as the guidance as the pin on the Google Map misled our party to a completely different beach. This hidden beach has two entrance - one via Dumond Dr (116 Dumond Dr) and one near the intersection of Victoria Dr & Sunset Terrace (2703 Victoria Dr). Please note that the entrance via Dumond Dr is under construction so it's easier to enter by taking the stairways near 2703 Victoria Dr. [Parking]: There's a street sign telling visitors to park on PCH and not residential streets. Unfortunately all parking on PCH is street parking only and our party got a bit lucky finding a spot near The Drake (2894 S Coast Hwy) - fall season so less crowd. [Dogs]: Dogs are allowed BEFORE 9:00 AM and AFTER 6:00 PM from June 15 - September 10. Dogs are allowed during regular beach hours from September 11 - June 14. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. [What to see]: Unlike other beaches in Orange County, there's actually a structure called the Pirate Tower and apparently it was built in 1926 for the family of William E. Brown (a state senator representing California's 37th district). [Conclusion]: I personally still prefer Table Rock Beach a bit better than Victoria Beach due to slightly easier parking, easier to navigate, and prettier beach, but the pirate tower is certainly unique.

    My boyfriend wanted to take me to Victoria Beach while we were wandering around PCH cause he knows…read moreI like good views. We initially tried to drive by and find parking but a majority of the area had no parking signs up, since it's a residential area. I actually didn't even see the entrance when we were driving around. It was later on when we were hanging out on the Laguna Beach Trolley that we decided to make another attempt at Victoria Beach. We walked down the slope into the residential area and suddenly a narrow stairway appears. Super hidden area. Your efforts would be rewarded if you make the trek down because it is a stunningggg beach with barely any other people there. If you're brave you can walk across these bumpy rocks and visit the Victoria Pirate Tower. It's closed off so you won't be able to enter the tower but it's still neat to see. It's a pretty small beach and is tricky to get to, but if you enjoy beach views and dislike crowds, this trek would be worth it for you. And please keep in mind this beach is a state marine reserve, so please don't take any animals, shells or rocks with you.

    Photos
    PC: Luzye Photography
    PC: Luzye Photography
    PC: Luzye Photography
    PC: Luzye Photography
    Pirate tower

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    Pirate tower
    Crescent Bay Beach

    Crescent Bay Beach

    4.5
    (130 reviews)
    4.9 mi

    If you're looking for one of the most beautiful beaches in Laguna Beach, Crescent Bay Beach is…read moredefinitely worth a visit. Located at Crescent Bay Drive & Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, this picturesque cove is known for its crystal-clear water, rocky shoreline, and abundant marine life. If you visit during low tide, you'll find plenty of tide pools where you can observe small sea creatures, making it a great spot to slow down and appreciate nature. Parking, however, can be a bit of a nightmare. I was lucky enough to visit with someone who lives in the area and knew all the different places to check for parking. Without her, I honestly don't think I would have found a spot. We ended up parking farther away than I would have preferred, and the walk to and from the beach included some pretty steep hills, but once we arrived, it was absolutely worth the effort. The scenery is stunning, the beach feels peaceful despite its popularity, and it's a wonderful place to relax, explore the tide pools, or simply enjoy the beautiful California coastline. Just plan ahead for parking, wear comfortable shoes, and give yourself a little extra time to get there.

    Crescent Bay. This is my all time favorite beach. The summers suck because all the outsiders come…read more The beach turns into a disaster, as trash and junk is left behind. During the off season, this is the place to be. With certain conditions, the brakes allow for great body.Surfing. this is also one of the places if I come too daily for a long swim.to main beach The tide pools are gone, just like the abalone that used to thrive here. Beautiful sunsets and different fishes, dolphins, and sea lions still make this.My favourite beach on the planet.

    Photos
    Beach
    Beach
    Crescent Bay Beach
    Crescent Bay Beach

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    Three Arch Bay

    Three Arch Bay

    4.3
    (27 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    5 STARS! Absolutely LOVE this Beach! Very Clean! Soft Sand!…read moreThey designed the steps down to the beach with some thought that's for sure, making it an easy walk down and up. Lifeguard was present yesterday 9/10/23. Volleyball Nets were up, Rinse off before going up with the showers at the end of the steps, clean restrooms, fire pits and picnic tables. The Surfers, Boogie Boarders and Skimmers all were having a great time! It was beautiful and the waves were breaking one after another yesterday! Made it a perfect day!

    I decided to wait about a year before posting this review. As previous yelpers mentioned, your only…read moreway into this beach is by actually walking through a gated community. But note that ALL CALIFORNIA BEACHES are for the PUBLIC So, to do this, you have to come with only one friend or alone, don't bring any beach clothes or beach gear. Just bring your wallet, keys and phone, walk past the gate, turn left at the end of the road and go down the stairs (Hold your phone on you at all times). Once you are there, you will find a beautiful beach with blue waves. There are 3 arches and sometimes you'll find tide pools. Note there is also no lifeguard on duty. When my friend and i went we were greeted by a lovely yellow lab that was 3 months old. There was also a nice older gentleman who wished us a good day. We took pictures of the scenery and we sat down for a bit just enjoying the ocean. It felt wonderful, calm and safe. You will also find a bathroom thats very clean. There are picnic tables, surf boards and fire pits which i don't recommend using but if you do, again please be respectful and pick up after yourself. We stayed there for most of the day until sunset where we quietly walked back out the stairs and outside the gates. If you wish to visit this public beach and need to get through the gated community, go respectfully and you will have a better chance of enjoying the public beach.

    Photos
    Stairway down to beach
    Stairway down to beach
    3 arches rock formation
    3 arches rock formation
    Second set of steps down to the beach! Rinse off with the Showers at the bottom.

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    Second set of steps down to the beach! Rinse off with the Showers at the bottom.

    Thousand Steps Beach - beaches - Updated August 2026

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