Fun Orange County Parks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Park Map
    • Accessible Playgrounds
    • South OC Playgrounds
    • Central OC Playgrounds
    • North OC Playgrounds
    • 10 Best Playgrounds
  • Places to Go Outdoors
    • Nature Hikes
    • Beaches
    • Nature Centers
    • Farms and Gardens
    • Aquariums
    • Museums and Zoos
    • Rainy Day Play Ideas
  • About
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Park Map
    • Accessible Playgrounds
    • South OC Playgrounds
    • Central OC Playgrounds
    • North OC Playgrounds
    • 10 Best Playgrounds
  • Places to Go Outdoors
    • Nature Hikes
    • Beaches
    • Nature Centers
    • Farms and Gardens
    • Aquariums
    • Museums and Zoos
    • Rainy Day Play Ideas
  • About
  • Contact
×
Home » Playgrounds by City » OC South » Laguna Beach

Picnic Beach in Laguna Beach for Sandcastle Building and Dolphin Spotting

Picnic Beach in Laguna Beach is connected to Heisler Park by a paved bluff-top path and sidewalks. With so many coves in Laguna Beach, it's often hard to uncover where one beach stops and another begins.

Such is the case with Picnic Beach. In my endless summer quest to find the perfect family beaches, we spent the day playing at this little Laguna oasis between Heisler's Rockpile Beach and Diver's Cove.

Directions to Picnic Beach: Take Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to the traffic light at Myrtle. At the T-intersection, you'll turn right and park near the paved trail down to the beach. Parking is on the street at meters that cost $2.25/hour. Meters take credit cards. MAP TO PICNIC BEACH IN LAGUNA BEACH

Highlights:

  • A good beach for watching sunsets, tidepooling, and playing in the sand - not a great swimming beach for kids
  • Fairly easy parking early in the day (prior to 10am)
  • Easy walk down to the beach
  • In the summer, lifeguard posted right on the beach - and beach patrol law enforcement officers were visible throughout our stay.
  • A beautiful, beautiful setting with golden sand and rocky outcroppings
  • We had several close-up dolphin sightings on our visit - as small pods playing beyond the surf
  • I don't know about the spot as a launching point, but we saw several paddleboarders and kayakers pass by the beach from other locations
  • Very nice grassy picnic area above the beach

Be Aware:

  • 2 rip currents line up with this beach - NOT a good beach for boogie boarding - and it gets stronger as the day progresses. We talked to the lifeguard about the location of the rip currents and only let the kids go in up to their knees outside of the rip zone. This was more of a build-a-sandcastle-beach than a swim/surf beach.
  • Large rocks in the water - duck rather than dive under waves
  • The lifeguard also warned of occasional "rogue waves" meaning you can be standing on a dry rock or on dry sand and be taken off guard by a big wave from out of nowhere - so keep your eyes on the ocean.
  • Diver's Cove is connected to the this beach a little to the north, but I thought its surf was smash & crash. Too extreme for little ones.
  • Very limited dry sand - probably not a good choice during extreme high tides.
  • No skimboarding, no fishing, and please follow all tidepooling rules (observe from afar and don't harm any animals)

Checklist:

  • Parking is $2.25/hr or 25 cents per 7 minutes.  Payment required and parking is strictly enforced, so don't let your meter run out!  The meter takes quarters or credit cards.
  • Park closed between 1am and 5am
  • Closest restrooms are a short hike up the ramp and to the left - convenient when coming from or going to the car
  • Tons of picnic tables with grills (when not in use -- a summer camp had every table reserved while we were there)
  • Showers at the bottom of the ramp leading to the beach
  • Ramp leading to the beach is somewhat steep, but makes for easy access with rolling coolers or gear haulers
  • Check Heal the Bay Beach Report Card for latest water quality.
  • Official City of Laguna Beach beach listings
  • Useful beach info for scuba divers
  • Laguna Beach Visitor Center website
  • Protected marine life information

Nearby beaches and parks:

  • Heisler Park
  • Laguna Main Beach Playground

IMPORTANT NOTE: Beaches and oceans are unpredictable and can change from season to season — or even day-to-day depending on the weather and tides. We visited on a sunny summer day with a lifeguard on duty.  This would be a very different beach with no lifeguard during stormy weather. So – stay safe and use your common sense!  I recommend obeying all posted signs and talking to the lifeguard when you get there. I always say: “I’ve never been to this beach before – anything I should know about since I’m here with kids?”

Originally posted in August 2013.

More Beach

  • Newport Elementary Shared Beach Playground
  • 2025 Best Beach Restaurants in Orange County (Family Friendly)
  • 6 Best Toddler Beaches with No Waves
  • 7+ Beach Playgrounds Right in the Sand

About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.

"The Park Lady"

My name is Michele Whiteaker and I'd love for you to think of me as your personal Play Concierge. When I used to search online for family-friendly activities, nothing quite fit my playful outdoor interests or tight budget.

More about me

Popular

  • 2025 Wildflowers and Best Kid-Friendly Spots to See Them in Orange County
  • San Clemente Aquatics Center and Vista Hermosa Sports Park
  • 10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)
  • Trestles: Beach Walking for Families in a Surfer's Paradise

Seasonal

  • Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills: Dive Into Undersea Fossils
  • 6 Free Trolleys in Orange County and How to Ride Them
  • 36 Favorite Picnic Spots in OC
  • colorful stackable blocks on dirt surface at Irvine Adventure Playground with blue sky and thin white clouds on a sunny day
    Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About + Start Here

Newsletter

  • Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter!

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2008-2025 Play Parks Creative LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclosure