Discover Laguna Beach
9 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Heisler Park
Clifftop park overlooking rocky shores, tide pools, sculptural benches and manicured walkways — ideal for sunset seascapes, intimate coastal details and coastal panorama shots. Best at golden hour and blue hour; weekdays/sunrise are quieter. Easy paved paths and public restrooms; paid street/lot parking nearby. No entry fee. The mix of public art, dramatic cliffs and clear Pacific light makes it especially photogenic.
Crescent Bay Point Park
Clifftop park with panoramic Pacific views, rocky tide pools and a grassy bluff—ideal for sunset silhouettes, long exposures of surf, and intimate tide-pool close-ups. Southern-facing light holds late into evening. Small parking lot; street parking fills early—arrive 60–90 min before sunset. Easy paved paths and no entry fee.
Laguna Beaches
Laguna Beaches offer dramatic coves, cliffs, palm-framed shorelines, tidal pools and clear Pacific water — ideal for coastal compositions, surfers and intimate seascapes. Best at sunrise and golden hour for warm side-light and reflections; weekdays and early mornings avoid crowds. Parking is limited—arrive early or use paid lots; public restrooms/showers available. Local vibe: artsy beach town with colorful houses and festival culture; water is cold so plan for wetsuits if shooting swimmers/diva
Crescent Bay Castle
Small grassy bluff park with a fairy-tale ‘castle’ ruin, palm trees and panoramic views of Laguna Beach coastline — ideal for sunset and coastal panorama shots. Easy street parking nearby; stairs provide beach access but can be steep. Best at golden hour or blue hour; quiet compared with Main Beach.
Browns' Park
Small, tucked overlook above Laguna Beach offering framed ocean views, surfers at Thalia St (left) and Main Beach (right). Ideal for intimate sunset/sunrise shots, engagement or editorial portraits with coastal cliffs and public art as foreground. Easy curbside access off PCH; short walk from parking. Visit golden hour or weekday mornings for fewer people; no entry fee.
210a Forest Avenue
Located on Laguna Beach’s main Forest Avenue corridor, 210a sits amid colorful galleries, boutiques and short walks to the cliffs and beaches. Photographers can capture intimate street scenes, coastal light spilling onto storefronts, and nearby ocean vistas at sunrise/sunset. Best visited at golden hour for warm directional light; weekday mornings have fewer tourists. Street parking and municipal lots nearby; expect some stairs and limited wheelchair access along alleys. No formal entry required
Laguna Art Museum
Laguna Art Museum pairs intimate contemporary galleries with a dramatic bluff-top, oceanfront setting. Photograph clean gallery compositions, close-ups of textures and mixed media, and the museum exterior and cliffside views at golden hour. Best visited weekday mornings for quiet interiors; first Thursday evenings (6–9pm) are free and lively. Street parking is common; museum is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly. No-flash and tripod rules often apply—ask staff. Great for combining art-detail and
Bluebird Park
Small, colorful neighborhood park known for a rocket-shaped playground, mosaic turtle art and lush plantings — great for playful kids' portraits, detail shots of tiles and slides, and casual event coverage (summer concerts). Best light is morning or late afternoon for soft side-light; metal slides get hot midday. Limited street parking; accessible paths and restrooms. Weekdays or early mornings minimize crowds.
Pyne Castle
A hillside private residence complex with Mediterranean/estate styling overlooking Laguna Beach. Shoot architectural details, layered hills and ocean vistas from Hillcrest Drive during golden hour. Access is public sidewalk only—respect private property and seek permission for entry. Street parking is limited; early mornings or weekdays reduce congestion. Notable for dramatic light on stucco, tiled roofs and coastal backdrop.