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Laguna Niguel, California

Laguna Niguel, California is a great place to explore the outdoors. From scenic trails and beaches to must-visit attractions, there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll or an outdoor adventure, Laguna Niguel has you covered. Popular trails include the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, which features a variety of trails for all levels of experience. The nearby Laguna Coast Wilderness Park offers miles of trails with stunning views of the ocean. For those looking for a more leisurely activity, the nearby Dana Point Harbor is a great spot to take in the sights and enjoy the activities on offer. Other top attractions include the Mission San Juan Capistrano, the San Onofre State Beach, and the Laguna Beach Art Museum. Laguna Niguel is a great place to get away from it all and has something for everyone to enjoy.

Top Spots in and near Laguna Niguel

  • Laguna Niguel, California

    Colinas Ridge Trail

    2.01 mi / 131 ft gain
    First, you'll be parking in the parking lot for the dog park. It's free parking and there are roughly 40 spaces, so there is plenty of parking. I've never seen more than 20 cars here at any one time. Once parked you'll find the trail head/ start on the northwest side of the lot (opposite the dog ...
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  • Laguna Niguel, California

    Kick Back at Laguna Niguel Regional Park

    This is an awesome tucked away little adventure that will have you occupied all day! With plenty of picnic tables you can be sure to have your own privacy tucked into a corner free from other people. Grab a lake side picnic table or even the numerous ones around the grass fields, they are all won...
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  • Laguna Niguel, California

    Dripping Cave in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness

    4.4
    7.68 mi / 889 ft gain
    Dripping Cave sits tucked away in a corner of Wood Canyon, part of the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, and the trail to the cave, while short, requires *at least* a 2.25 mile hike in from the nearest trailhead (West Ridge Trail to Mathis Canyon), though this is less than ideal as that rou...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Aliso Peak via the Valido Trail

    5.0
    1.14 mi / 325 ft gain
    The Valido Trail trailhead can be found just off West street off the Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Aliso Beach. Park on West Street past the trailhead. The trail proceeds approximate .5 miles till it intersects with the Aliso Peak Trail. Go left .4 miles to the obvious summit and wooden p...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Laguna Beach Caves

    3.8
    Explore some beautiful caves right on the beach in Laguna. The stairs leading down to the beach are just off the side of PCH at 9th st. You can park anywhere along the PCH on both sides near 9th st. Head down the stairs and the main caves are on the left. To the right there are also some small c...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Skimboard Table Rock Beach

    Laguna Beach is both the birthplace *and* and the capital of skimboarding, and for good reason: it boasts an impressive array of beaches where (if you know where to look) you can find one where the conditions are right for one of the most difficult but rewarding of water sports. Table Rock is one...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Bodysurf at Aliso Beach

    5.0
    This wave is super fun to bodysurf and shoot photos of when there is a swell. It is a shorebreak so be careful of shallow water and little rocks. It usually isn't too crowded especially on weekdays. Bring your fins and a smile and you have a good time.
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  • Dana Point, California

    Hike the Salt Creek Trail

    5.0
    3 mi / 20 ft gain
    Starting from the Salt Creek Beach parking lot (a paid lot that takes cash, debit, and credit cards and charges by the hour. There are pay stations at a few points in the parking lots), you head west towards the ocean...through a tunnel and down the hill towards the beach. Once you get to the bas...
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  • Dana Point, California

    Surf Salt Creek

    5.0
    There are two HUGE parking lots off of PCH, so parking isn't an issue (unless it's on a weekend in the summer, then it does get full). This is a paid lot with a few pay stations located around the parking lot, and they take cash and credit/ debit card...you can pay by the hour. Once you find your...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Explore Laguna Beach's Pirate Tower

    4.4
    To find this little hidden treasure, put Victoria Beach into your phone as your destination and park for free on S Coast Highway anywhere between Sunset Terrace, McAulay Place, or Victoria Drive. Make your way down any of these streets toward the beach and you will see stairs going down at the en...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Exploring Pearl Street Beach's Arch Rock

    4.0
    Pearl Street Beach is a great spot to just chill and watch (and photograph) the sunset with friends and family. Parking for the beach can be found on S. Coast Hwy (the 1) and is meter parking. There is also free, but limited parking available along the smaller streets closer to Pearl Street Beach...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    West Ridge to Car Wreck Trail and Mathis Canyon Loop

    4.5
    3.31 mi / 856 ft gain
    There are numerous ways to incorporate the Car Wreck trail into a larger loop through the Laguna Coast Wilderness and Aliso Canyon Park, but a common route is to begin at Alta Laguna Park at "Top of the World" in Laguna Beach. Take the West Ridge Trail .5 miles, bearing right onto the marked Car...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Hike the West Ridge Trail

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 150 ft gain
    Beginning at Alta Laguna Park at Top of the World, the West Ridge Trail is a popular starting (and ending) point for adventures into the Laguna Coast Wilderness, leading to trails and areas like Car Wreck, Big Bend, and Willow Canyon. You can also do it in reverse from the north. The ridge itself...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Surf Brooks Street Beach

    5.0
    Brooks Street Beach is just a couple of blocks off the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. Parking can be tricky, so be forewarned that you may need to walked a few blocks.  Winter can be good, but during the summer and big south swells are when you want to go surfing, so be sure to check out ...
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  • Dana Point, California

    Stand Up Paddle Dana Point Harbor

    5.0
    Whether I’m looking for a quick workout on the water, wanting to catch some waves, or simply explore the coastline, Dana Point is one of my favorite places to paddle. There is plenty of parking close to the beach, so you don’t have to walk far with your board. It’s also a great spot to launch as ...
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  • Dana Point, California

    Walk the Dana Point Preserve Trail

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Ocean views the whole time, plenty of wildlife and different species of native plants make this short hike beautiful. With the hike being short enough to complete in the afternoon after a day at the beach you can see a beautiful view of the coastline north and south. There is plenty of parking in...
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Camping and Lodging in Laguna Niguel

Temecula KOA at Vail Lake
Aguanga, California

Temecula KOA at Vail Lake

Dripping Springs Campground (Ca)
Temecula, California

Dripping Springs Campground (Ca)

Fry Creek Campground
Palomar Mountain, California

Fry Creek Campground

Observatory Campground
Palomar Mountain, California

Observatory Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Laguna Niguel

The Best Views in Laguna Beach

The Best Views in Laguna Beach

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The Top 4 Places to Explore Tide Pools in Laguna Beach

The Top 4 Places to Explore Tide Pools in Laguna Beach

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Why Laguna Beach Is the Ultimate Summer Destination

Why Laguna Beach Is the Ultimate Summer Destination

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Loco Laguna: 7 Videos of Wild Adventure in Laguna Beach

Loco Laguna: 7 Videos of Wild Adventure in Laguna Beach

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Laguna Beach's Top 5 Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Running

Laguna Beach's Top 5 Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Running

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5 Must-Do Adventures in Laguna Beach, CA

5 Must-Do Adventures in Laguna Beach, CA

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