Best Photo Spots Near Laguna Beach

In the affluent seaside village of Laguna Beach an art festival is held for about nine weeks every summer. Just about every type of handcrafted art imaginable is displayed here from glasswork to photography. Handmade clothing to homemade food draw over 200,000 visitors a year. The perfect summer Mediterranean climate doesn't hurt either! It's about $10 to get in. The festival runs from around June to Sep...

What is commonplace and ordinary in the UK is quite exotic in the small oceanside community of Laguna Beach. The "Famous Red Phone Booth" once was in service but is now used solely to exhibit temporary public art. Every two years the city changes out the exhibit with the phone booth as its medium. The current exhibit, soon to be changed, is of a bunch of bikini-clad mannequins stuffed inside the booth li...

The perfect, balmy weather of Laguna Beach makes it a great city for outdoor exercise. Start your journey toward glutes of steel by incorporating these 67 steps into your daily routine. A bonus is that they're pretty to look at. Painted in geometric shapes and vivid hues by artist Beau Stanton, this staircase mural enlivens an already beautiful city in Southern California. (Submitted by Brenda Rios)

This point in the idyllic seaside town of Laguna Beach is about 1,000 feet above sea level. It allows you to see most of Orange County especially on a clear day. There are hiking trails for novices and experts or you can sign up with a guide who specializes in hiking tours. Dogs are allowed on some of the paths but not all. (Submitted by Brenda Rios)

Fit for Rapunzel, this tower juts up from a rocky shoreline in Laguna Beach. It is part of the house which is directly above and serves as a path down to the beach. Since California beaches are all public property, you can walk up to the concrete structure. Unfortunately, it is privately owned, so entry is forbidden.

This arch makes a natural picture frame for the beach. Surrounding the tunnel are tide pools, cliffs, sand, and the Pacific Ocean. The water is known for being safer and cleaner than surrounding areas too. Treasure Island Beach is located just off Hwy 1. 

This small and secluded beach is not great for sunbathing or swimming but it is the perfect spot to gaze upon the water or watch a spectacular sunset without a throng of beachgoers. The attractions are all natural, from the giant slab rock that splits the beach in two, to the monolithic geological formation known as Sphinx Rock. Avoid weekends if you prefer a more solitary experience. (Submitted by South...

Taking the same steps as you would take to the secret pool reveals a mysterious cave on the south end of the staircase. Make sure you go at low tide for complete safety and so that you can walk all the way through to a cove on the other side. On the north side of the staircase a rocky tunnel leads you to a gorgeous beach. Either way, you can't go wrong. To get to Thousand Steps Beach head to 9th Avenue a...

A secret cave trail that leads to secret pools in Laguna Beach? Yes, please! These saltwater pools were originally built by movie director D.W. Griffith (and family) back in 1929. To get to the pools you'll need to go at low tide as high tide is dangerous. (Plus you'll see some of the marine life left behind when the water recedes.) Lastly, stay on the beach away from private property. (Submitted by @ime...

To get to this swing you can either park at Chaparoosa Park or Pooch Park (for free!) and then walk a little over a mile to your destination. Be prepared to traverse some inclines before arriving at the swing. Once there you'll have a bird's eye view of San Juan Capistrano. (Submitted by Brenda Rios)

Anyone with two or four legs is welcome to hike on this tourist-free trail but it is a long one! The most direct route is from the parking area off of Alicia Pkwy. Take Aliso Trail to Wood Canyon Trail and then continue to Dripping Cave Trail. At the end of the hike you'll see the cave that outlaw Juan Flores and his gang used as a hideout in the 1850s. 

The exquisite ruins were once the home of the Franciscan monks who worshipped here in 1775 when the mission was established. With weathered stone surrounded by a colorful array of flowers, birds, and butterflies this haven is a fantasy retreat from modern life. If you want a real adventure, take the coastal train which will bring you directly to the mission.

ZOOMARS started out as a farm in 1890, but has been a petting zoo since 1980. Some of the animals that live here are alpacas, cows, chickens, and ponies. Entry is about $15 per person and expect to pay around $6 per basket of vegetable feed. For the smaller kids there is a train ride and a guinea pig petting area. Weekends are pretty busy so if you can visit during the weekdays, you might get more bang f...

Drinking a milkshake and eating a burger while peacefully contemplating one of the most beautiful beaches on the West Coast isn't a bad way to spend a day. This 1940s-style diner has one of the best vantage points with a clear, wide view of the Pacific Ocean. There are some options for vegetarians as well including the Impossible Burger and yummy fries. Hours are 7 AM to 9 PM daily.