Orange County Attractions

The heart of Laguna Beach is where Laguna Canyon Road tees into P.C.H. and traffic grinds to a halt beside Main Beach. It is the most visible spot of sand, with a curving boardwalk and prominent lifeguard tower.

Swimming is good but congested because it is concentrated in one area. Several volleyball courts are available, there is playground equipment and a boogie-board rental. Three-on-three basketball goes on year-round, and kites are usually aloft.

The best thing about this beach is its laid-back atmosphere, due to the abundance of resident artists. People here really do bring their brushes and easels down to the shore to paint. Writers and other cultural literati actually go for walks along the water, gathering inspiration for their next book chapter. Although narrow, the beach is a great starting gate for serious walking since it seems to go on and on, curving out of sight around the coves.

Laguna Beach, like Venice, is more for shopping and gawking than actually lying on the sand. But it is much more classy than Venice. The main drag in Laguna is a collection of fine arts and eats. It attracts far more visitors than the beach.

Street parking is almost impossible. Here is where it really makes sense to park inland and hoof it. Police suggest free parking at the Laguna Beach Museum of Art or metered parking in a structure at Glenneyre Street and Laguna Avenue, just two short blocks inland off P.C.H. And that is probably the best idea anyhow, because from there you can walk the town. Tourists flock to the art galleries, craft shops and pottery makers, especially if there is any art festival going on. There are cutesy cookie shops, too, and some of the finest hole-in-the-wall eateries around.

Crescent Bay on the north side of town is good for body surfing. Wave action is like the famous Wedge at Newport Beach; the natural cove forces the waves up between two points of land. Seal Rock is where elephant seals and California sea lions often sun themselves and occasionally swim with divers.

In the same area is a series of small rugged coves, namely Cameo Cove, Santa Ana Cove and Fisherman's Cove, which are ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. The best-known and longest-established spot among them is Divers Cove, just off Cliff Drive near Beverly Street. Diving classes taught by various public and commercial outlets bring their students here for ocean checkout once they have passed the swimming pool basics.

There are steps down to most of the coves, making access easy once you solve the parking problem. There are kelp beds, sandy stretches and rocky underwater shallows to explore. The only place for scuba diving better than this is Santa Catalina Island. Most Laguna coves are part of a marine reserve, so underwater hunting and collecting are prohibited.

The south side of Laguna, where homes are more exclusive, offers more small coves. Coast Royale is good for swimming; 1,000 Steps Beach is good for swimming, body boarding and volleyball. A little south of Aliso Pier and in the vicinity of West Street is a bit of beach patronized almost exclusively by gays and lesbians.

- Los Angeles Times