Laguna Seaside has a fame for luxurious, however you don’t want a giant price range to get pleasure from this beachside vacation spot.
As an area who grew up right here and is aware of each a part of this SoCal city, I’ll allow you to in on a bit secret. Among the finest experiences in Laguna Seaside received’t value you a dime. Laguna Seaside gives countless alternatives to discover, unwind, and immerse your self in its pure magnificence at no cost.
From tide swimming pools filled with marine life to hikes with superb views, let me present you 10 superb (and utterly free!) methods to get pleasure from my hometown.
10 Free Issues to Do in Laguna Seaside
Right here is the fast checklist (scroll all the way down to see far more about every):
- Discover Tide Swimming pools: Head to Major Seaside, Shaw’s Cove, or Crescent Bay to find tide swimming pools full of starfish, anemones, crabs, and extra. It’s like stepping right into a pure aquarium!
- Stroll Heisler Park: This oceanfront park gives glorious views, picnic spots, and out of doors artwork. Wander alongside the pathways, and don’t overlook to take a photograph on the well-known gazebo overlooking the Pacific.
- Hike High of the World: For the very best views of Laguna Seaside and past, hike or drive as much as High of the World. You’ll be able to join to numerous trails or just take within the surroundings.
- Pacific Marine Mammal Heart: This academic heart gives an opportunity to study rescued seals and sea lions. It’s free to go to, although donations are welcome to help their care.
- Tour Artwork Galleries: Laguna Seaside is an artist’s haven, and plenty of galleries and studios, particularly alongside Coast Freeway, welcome guests to browse their displays at no cost.
- Go to Treasure Island Seaside: This seashore is an area favourite. It’s subsequent to the Montage Resort and options tide swimming pools, comfortable sand, and rugged cliffs. Pack a picnic and soak within the views.
- Journey the Laguna Seaside Trolley: The free Laguna Seaside Trolley is a handy technique to discover the city. Providing stress-free transportation, it’s a enjoyable and straightforward technique to expertise Laguna with out worrying about parking or site visitors.
- First Thursdays Artwork Stroll: On the primary Thursday of each month, get pleasure from free entry to artwork galleries, reside music, and artist meet-and-greets throughout this night occasion.
- Laguna Coast Wilderness Park: This park is a hiker’s paradise with miles of trails via canyons and ridgelines. Many trails are family-friendly and have native vegetation and wildlife.
- Public Artwork Round City: Laguna Seaside has a formidable public artwork assortment, from murals to sculptures. Obtain the free self-guided public artwork map and create your individual strolling tour.
Let’s check out every possibility with a bit extra element:
1. Discover Tide Swimming pools
Exploring the tide swimming pools in Laguna Seaside is an exercise that’s enjoyable for all ages. It’s an journey that mixes discovery, nature, and a little bit of thriller.
When my youngsters had been youthful, heading to the tide swimming pools felt like happening a scavenger hunt. They’d race to seek out the primary starfish or spot a tiny crab hiding within the rocks. For me, it was about greater than the ocean creatures. I cherished that we had been exterior, respiratory within the ocean air, surrounded by the great thing about Laguna Seaside.
Regardless that my youngsters are older, I nonetheless discover myself drawn to the tide swimming pools. There’s one thing grounding about standing on these rocks, wanting into the water, and recognizing marine life. My favourite tide swimming pools are on the north aspect of Major Seaside, simply accessible and lively.
Earlier than you go, examine the tides. Some tide swimming pools may be harmful throughout excessive tide, so low tide is the very best time to go. And belief me, put on sneakers or sturdy sandals. The rocks may be sharp, and I’ve realized the exhausting manner that flip-flops received’t minimize it!
Keep in mind that it is a fragile ecosystem; at all times admire sea life with out disturbing it.
2. Stroll Heisler Park
Heisler Park is the heartbeat of Laguna Seaside’s northern shoreline, providing views, well-manicured pathways, and a soothing vibe.
I usually see marriage ceremony events posing for pictures within the well-known gazebo. Folks have been doing this my complete life, and it at all times makes me smile after I see the joyful {couples} posing with my hometown’s well-known Major Seaside within the background.
When my boys had been youthful, they participated in Laguna’s Junior Lifeguard program, which meets on the grassy garden close to the amphitheater. I’d sit close by, watching them follow their drills earlier than they headed all the way down to one of many many seashores accessible from Heisler Park.
Typically, I’d keep for the free summer time live shows that happen there. There’s nothing like listening to reside music with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop.
Heisler Park’s pathways are excellent for a pleasant stroll and join Major Seaside to smaller, hidden coves and bays. I like to cease alongside the best way to observe the surfers at Rock Pile Seaside from the cliffside path.
Typically, I pack a picnic and choose one of many benches or grassy spots to soak within the surroundings.
3. Hike High of the World
Should you love mountain climbing, you may’t miss the paths that start at High of the World.
It’s a particular place for me, not solely due to the breathtaking views but additionally as a result of it’s the place I attended elementary college as a child. Whereas the world has grown with extra houses close to the trailhead, the surroundings hasn’t modified. It’s nonetheless as gorgeous as ever.
Each weekend, my husband and I head to one of many many trails in and round Laguna Seaside. High of the World is our favourite place to begin. Town has achieved a superb job sustaining the park there, full with ample parking, restrooms, and benches to benefit from the views earlier than setting off.
What I like about mountain climbing from High of the World are the countless choices. Some days, we select a loop path that brings us again to the place we began. Different occasions, we hike down into city, seize a espresso or chew to eat, and take the free Laguna Seaside shuttle again to our automotive.
And each infrequently, we go all out and find yourself in one other city completely. It’s superb how interconnected the paths are. High of the World is the right gateway to Laguna Seaside’s gorgeous wilderness.
4. Pacific Marine Mammal Heart
For an up-close take a look at a few of Laguna Seaside’s most beloved marine life, the Pacific Marine Mammal Heart (PMMC) is a must-visit.
This nonprofit rescues and rehabilitates seals, sea lions, and different marine mammals which can be sick, injured, or stranded. Visiting the middle is free, though donations are appreciated to assist help their life-saving work.
As a Laguna Seaside native, I’ve stopped by the middle many occasions through the years, and it’s at all times a very good expertise. It’s fascinating to observe these cute creatures recuperate. The volunteers and employees are extremely passionate, sharing tales about every animal’s rescue and rehabilitation journey.
That is the right cease in case you are looking for free issues to do in Laguna Seaside with youngsters. They’ll love seeing the animals up shut whereas studying about ocean conservation and the significance of defending marine ecosystems. The middle is a really brief drive from downtown Laguna and gives a significant technique to join with the native setting.
Due observe that PMMC is at the moment closed because it undergoes a significant growth mission. They hope to reopen summer time of 2025, however examine the web site for updates.
5. Laguna Seaside Artwork Galleries
Laguna Seaside has an extended historical past with artwork, and probably the greatest methods to immerse your self in its tradition is by exploring the native galleries. The galleries alongside Coast Freeway and past are open to the general public and free to discover.
As a Laguna native, I’ve spent many afternoons wandering via these galleries. Each has its personal persona, that includes works starting from landscapes and up to date abstracts to sculptures and images. It’s like moving into completely different artwork museums with out the admission charge.
One in all my favourite issues about Laguna’s galleries is the chance to speak with the artists themselves. Many galleries host meet-and-greets or reside demonstrations, particularly throughout occasions just like the First Thursdays Artwork Stroll (extra on that later!).
It’s fascinating to listen to in regards to the inspiration and methods behind their work. From time to time, the artists are engaged on their subsequent mission as I stroll into their studio. They’re at all times so “chill” and are joyful to clarify what they’re engaged on or their craft.
Don’t be shy about stepping in, even should you’re not planning to purchase something. Most galleries are welcoming, and their employees are joyful to reply questions or share suggestions for different must-see spots.
Searching the galleries is a soothing technique to spend a day and join with Laguna Seaside’s creative soul.
6. Treasure Island Seaside
Relating to Laguna’s breathtaking seashores, Treasure Island Seaside is a must-see. Since I reside close by, I go to this seashore most frequently. It’s really lovely, under dramatic cliffs and huge bluffs, making it really feel like a non-public paradise.
In the summertime, you’ll discover me right here virtually day by day. Some days, I take an ocean swim. Different days, I pack a touristy seashore chair and settle into the scene with a very good guide. Evenings are simply as good after I keep for the sundown, watching the sky gentle up with hues of orange and pink earlier than I stroll house.
Treasure Island Seaside is alive with exercise, nevertheless it by no means feels crowded. Children are at all times working round, constructing sandcastles, or exploring the tide swimming pools. Dolphins ceaselessly make appearances simply past the breakers, and sea lions like to sunbathe on the large rocks on the northern finish of the seashore, proper in entrance of the Montage Lodge.
It’s a spot that provides one thing particular each time I go to.
7. Laguna Seaside Trolley
One of many easiest and most scenic methods to discover Laguna Seaside is by hopping on the free Laguna Seaside Trolley. This shiny blue trolley system runs via city and alongside Coast Freeway, making it straightforward to navigate with out worrying about parking or site visitors.
I usually take the trolley on my weekend adventures, particularly when my husband and I end a hike that ends on the town. As a substitute of doubling again to our automotive, we merely hop on the trolley and luxuriate in a relaxed journey with ocean views. It’s such a enjoyable and stress-free technique to get round, and you may’t beat the classic vibe of the trolleys themselves.
For guests, the trolley is a incredible technique to see extra of Laguna Seaside. You’ll be able to cease at Major Seaside, Heisler Park, Treasure Island Seaside, and dozens of different key places. Throughout the summer time months, the trolleys run extra ceaselessly, and the routes prolong to close by cities like Dana Level.
The Laguna Seaside Trolley makes the journey a part of the journey, and you may keep away from circling round city and looking for parking spots!
8. First Thursdays Artwork Stroll
Should you’re in Laguna Seaside on the primary Thursday of the month, the First Thursdays Artwork Stroll is a must-do! This free occasion permits guests to discover the city’s galleries and studios whereas having fun with refreshments, reside music, and the prospect to fulfill the artists themselves.
As an area, I at all times look ahead to this night. It’s a good way to attach with Laguna’s artwork neighborhood and see new displays, typically earlier than they’re even formally open to the general public. I get pleasure from wanting via the galleries, assembly the artists, and soaking within the creativity that fills the streets throughout this free occasion.
The Artwork Stroll can be a superb alternative to find enjoyable locations in Laguna Seaside. Whether or not you’re an artwork collector or simply curious like me, it’s an pleasurable technique to expertise the city’s artistic tradition.
And because it’s free to attend, it’s an ideal technique to spend a night with out breaking the financial institution.
9. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Should you’re planning to hike in Laguna Canyon, the Nix Nature Heart is a superb cease earlier than you hit the paths.
Positioned within the coronary heart of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, this free, informative heart gives particulars about all of the mountain climbing trails within the area. It has partaking shows about native wildlife, geology, and the varied ecosystems inside Laguna Canyon.
I’ve visited the Nix Nature Heart numerous occasions, each alone and with my household. The volunteers and rangers are at all times joyful to supply suggestions based mostly on mountain climbing preferences. I’ve discovered their recommendation invaluable, particularly when selecting between trails that vary from straightforward, flat paths to tougher routes with steep elevation adjustments.
Throughout my hikes via Laguna Canyon, I’ve noticed wildlife, together with deer, who wander the world. Each path gives its personal distinctive magnificence. The Nix Nature Heart is a good place to begin for any hike within the space, providing you with the whole lot that you must benefit from the open air safely.
10. Admire Public Artwork
One of many issues I like most about strolling round Laguna Seaside is how public artwork appears to look round each nook, usually in essentially the most sudden locations.
Typically, I’ll discover one thing I haven’t seen tucked away in an ivy-flanked alley or a surprising sculpture proper subsequent to a public lavatory. There’s at all times one thing new to find.
I can’t inform you what number of occasions I’ve been out on a stroll, and all of a sudden, I’ll spot a bit of artwork that I swear wasn’t there the final time I walked by. Laguna’s dedication to public artwork provides a lot character to our city, and I like how it’s a part of the on a regular basis scene.
I extremely suggest taking a while to wander the streets, on the lookout for artwork in sudden locations. You by no means know what you’ll discover, however that’s a part of Laguna Seaside’s magic.
A Native’s Information to Free Actions in Laguna Seaside
So, there you’ve it. Ten free issues to do in Laguna Seaside, California, will assist you to expertise the very best of the city with out spending a dime.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for hidden artwork, exploring tide swimming pools, or mountain climbing the paths, there’s at all times one thing free to uncover on this lovely city. And belief me, whilst an area, I nonetheless discover myself stumbling upon one thing sudden each time I head out for an journey.
So seize your flip-flops (or mountain climbing sneakers) and sense of journey, and luxuriate in these free issues to do in Laguna Seaside!
Liz Jurkowski is a Laguna Seaside native, world traveler, and native skilled keen about sharing the magic of her hometown in her journey weblog LagunaLiz.com. After exploring 92 international locations, she returned to Laguna to rediscover its artwork scene, scenic trails, and breathtaking seashores. Liz loves writing about Laguna Seaside, hoping to encourage guests to expertise all the sweetness and attraction it has to supply.