5 STARS! Absolutely LOVE this Beach! Very Clean! Soft Sand! They 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! read more

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I decided to wait about a year before posting this review. As previous yelpers mentioned, your only way 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. read more

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This is a beautiful beach. It's well maintained and feels private in that you do need to know someone in the community to get past the gated entrance. The beach is divided into two parts by the major rock formation that this beach is named after. The north end is referred to as Shell Beach and is smaller and has a lot of muscle shells that wash up on its shore. The south side is where most of the people hang out so it can get crowded. When we were there, a lifeguard was present the entire time. There are also some barbecue pits and picnic tables available. The last couple of times we've visited, we saw several pods of dolphins passing by. read more

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A friend of ours who lives in the community took us there for the day to celebrate my daughter's birthday. What an amazing beach. One of the most beautiful I've seen in California. Easy access but be prepared to walk some steps. Clean bathrooms and showers. Lots of trash bins so the beach is kept very clean. The waves break very gently here so it's easy to swim. If there's any way you can get access to this beach, then I'd highly recommend you spend a day here. read more

Three Arch Bay - Beaches Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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One of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen in not only california but in the US! So happy a friend of mine...has access!! It was a beautiful day. Everyone was very nice in the community. The arches were gorgeous ! There are fire pits out there as well for your leisure. Can't wait to return again. read more

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Wow ..: what is the nice beach . I have always wanted to go here but unfortunately I don't live here or have any rich friends I finally was swimming around the rock to get there I did it at :) least before I die! read more

Three Arch Bay - Beaches Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Private, clean, and just a beautiful beach. You either must be a resident to access this beach, or be a guest of a resident. The stairs were not that bad compared to other beaches we've been to in Laguna. We saw security guards as we were going down the stairs and they were friendly. There are bbq grills and a fire pit which we used for roasting marshmallows for smores. Long tables are perfect for group gatherings. There is also a shower at the bottom of the stairs to wash your feet off. The arches and the the sunset colors were just gorgeous. The kids had fun exploring the tide pools, playing on the sand, and enjoying the water. Because it's private, it is not crowded at all. It was a treat to spend some time on this beach. I enjoyed it even more than the beach at Emerald Bay. read more

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This private beach sucks!! The waves are too large for swimming and they are not that great for skimming. The crowd here is also pretentious and they do not welcome visitors. The high ratings for this beach come from people that live in the three arch bay gated community and like the smell of their own farts. I've never liked coming here, the water is not as nice as Hawaii or the Gulf, so I'm not sure why people brag about this place. Not much to see besides the caves (arches). read more

heaven on earth. I love this place more than anything else in the world! there is literally nothing better than a perfect summer day here with crystal clear water and the toasty sand! I miss it so much!! read more

Three Arch Bay - Beaches Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Private & resident beach only. This beach is quiet, not packed & beautiful. To get to the beach you go down stairs, lots of stairs but once you reach the end your happy. What I like most it's private. The ppl at the beach are just simple easy going ppl. Beach is clean, why bc ppl keep it clean. Ppl here live, breathe, beach. Security guard on the beach making rounds. I like that. It's simply beautiful it's cove like & your surrounded by high rock mtn's & rocked walls kind of caved-in which is cool. Surfers most def have ground here. Laguna surfer boys! Yes & amen. Fire pit's here & bbq spread out. Shower @ the bottom of stairs. Con: bathroom is on club-house, which is a walk. :( they gotta fix this. But if your a resident you might as well go home & walk back it's not that bad. Stairs are killer but good work-out for sure! My twin sister got married on this beach in a private ceremony. Man, it was breath taking. read more

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Beautiful beach to paddle board or kayak to. Great for bringing your friends. You can also access the beach from 1000 steps if you keep going past the pools. Unfortunately this beach is blocked from public access and the city council is allowing the home association to pay for other projects in exchange for not allowing visitors. read more

For residents and guests of residents only... This private beach is beautiful! Love that there are a couple of security guards on the beach, they were really friendly. read more

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We were so fortunate to have a connection with a local resident to see this exclusive area in Laguna Beach. It's nice to know there are still some secrets kept hidden from the public. The beach is so well kept and the lighting is just gorgeous. It's a definite must see for the California coast if you can manage it. read more

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Absolutely pristine and gorgeous beach!! One of my favorites. Looks like you're in another country when you're down on the sand. It's also not ever very crowded so it's perfect read more

This is hands down one of the nicest, if not the nicest, beach in California. This beach is amazing and perfect for families with children. The only reason it receives a few bad reviews is because it's private and difficult to get into. If you can find a way to get in, this is the beach to go to. read more

Three Arch Bay - 80 degrees in February. Loving 3 Arch. Thanks Uncle T. - Beaches Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE BEACH, GO THERE! According to the California Constitution Article X section 4, no beach in California is private. They are temporarily getting away with it by blocking access to the beach (rich A-holes)... but even this is in violation of sections 30211 and 30001.5 of the 1976 California Coastal act. Until this beach is opened to the public, which it WILL BE, then you can access it from the water. Go to Dana Point Harbor and rent some kayaks, paddle over there and spend the day. Don't let anyone tell you to leave because you have just as much right to be there as the rich pricks that live on the hill. I didn't fight for 2 tours in Iraq to come home and stand by while American's rights are trampled all over. I'm going to be organizing a large group of vets to go spend a long, loud day here, I can't wait to see these pricks try and stop my group of men. read more

The residents at Three Arch Bay need to add a public access stairway to this beach. I'm infuriated by the fact that they've found loopholes to violate prop 20. Will be calling the California Coastal Commission as well as the city to get the ball rolling on providing the public with easier access. read more

One might say I am an Arch chaser (I may have just invented that term.) These arches are beautiful. They are very private and the only way in is to live there or be with someone who lives there. There is a security guarded entry. When you walk down the stairs, head to your right. The sun never sets through the arches. I suspect that you may be able to photograph the sunrise through them, though I haven't dragged myself out of bed early enough to try this. Regardless, it is a serene and awe inducing place. read more

Three Arch Bay - Three arch bay - Beaches Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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I love to relax here when I'm not touring. Shear beauty!..I met a beautiful young lady there a year ago that has been with me ever since....I will always have a place in my heart for this beautiful destination. read more

We live here so we are biased, yes. But it truly is the most beautiful beach in all of California. The three arches are gorgeous. It is totally secluded and never crowded. Yes, it is private but if you have a boat, kayak, paddleboard or are a good swimmer, you can drop in. It is near impossible to get past the guards at the gate, but that's why they get paid. Make a friend here or rent a house and you can come visit. : ) read more

This is actually a public beach. HOWEVER, the housing complex purchased land surrrounding it and restricted all land access, sneakily making it a private beach. It is one of the more beautiful beaches along this area of the coast. read more

Duh! Previous Yelpers, Three Arch Bay is a private community. Can't get in unless you are a current homeowner. I know, I've tried also to "go back", but the guards there turned away my Mother and myself many years ago. She was PISSED! Tried again recently with a retired older friend who also had lived there. No Luck. If any one knows how to get past the guard gate, let us know, ok? read more

After receiving an announcement for a Ladies Day Event "Trunk Show" I headed to the bank, got plenty of cash then went directly to Three Arch Bay. No one bothered to inform the gate staff that the event was open to the public. They would not allow me to enter even after I explained that I had been invited! I won't give them a second thought for any future events - I was a bit embarrassed but Neiman's made me feel a whole lot better :-) read more

The nicest beach in all of California! Too bad it's private. If you can find a way to get in, you'll be blown away by the beauty.

First off I feel bad for the home owners who just want to get their house worked on. Arrive to the gate and Gestapo requires ten different passes and your first born. If you have to come back the next day, then it's something different. Very inconsistent!!! Ask to speak to a supervisor and they send a kid who is interning for the summer, what a joke!!! And don't try to get a delivery through the gate without consulting with your local government official. I get screening for protecting homes and owners, but when the homers has a name at the gate let that person through, don't make the home owner have bring the pass all the way to the person who is trying to get in. You guys waste time and money and are very inconsistent each day or how you feel. So put your feelings aside, get retrained, learn some common sense and curiosity. And remember you have a job because of the homeowners, so stop making their life difficult!!! read more

I don't live there but my client does and it's good to know that secluded is just that as experienced by the other reviewers. Still, it's sad that the pristine cove cannot be shared by others unless you are the guest of someone who likes to share the private beach. read more

I have lived at three arch bay club in the late 1950's and swam, skin dived and sunned on that beach as well as many other activities and it was just as good as you could find anywhere in the entire world. over the years I lost track of the widow and her two teenaged daughters I lived with but always wondered what happened to them. If by some chance Marjorie is reading this would you ask your mother if she was there about this period of time. Of course Laguna was in its hey day about that time and lots of movie stars lived at Three Arch Bay. Also spent a geaat deal of time at the local bar and grill called, The Sand Piper, which was the place to be every night and especially on the weekends when we wern't sailing over to Catalina Island to party. Many fine memories and beach parties durning the summer months and sory Matjorie and her mom couldn't get in to see the beach but just get a board and go around the jetty and try that. read more