Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
Yes
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
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Aliso Beach Park is an accessible beach in Laguna Beach, California. Being within city limits and right off of the Pacific Coast Highway and accommodating two parking lots, it is one of the more convenient beaches to visit in Orange County. A large beach, it features a children’s playground, making it welcoming for family visits, but be advised that highway traffic and dangerous surf conditions might discourage some from visiting. Fire pits are also available at Aliso Beach Park, making it one of the few beaches in Orange County to offer these.

The surf is the main draw at Aliso Beach Park. Bound to the north by Aliso Creek and a partially exposed offshore reef, the physical features of the beach and seafloor combine to create an intense, rough break. Aliso Creek deposits sand in offshore sand bars, while the reef to the south traps sand, leading to a short, intense wave that breaks right at the water line. Less ideal for surfers, this is a skimboarding paradise and home to the annual skimboarding championships that take place here every July.

Other attractions include Aliso Beach’s tide pools, open for exploration at low tide. Tide pools at Aliso are part of a marine protected area, so nothing may be removed or disturbed at these sites. Whales and dolphins also frequent Aliso Beach. The beach is a great place to see migrating whales, the gray whales in December and blue whales from May to November.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Family friendly. Good skimboarding. Tide pools.

Cons

None.

Features

ADA accessible
Picnic tables
Surfing
Tide pools
Wildlife
Whale watching

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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