Laguna Beach Sports Travel Tips by Ciambella

North end coves

Theme: Scuba Diving

The beaches in the north end of town are some of the best diving spots. Divers' Cove, Fisherman's Cove, and Shaw's Cove are where you can find divers gathering on the weekends to enjoy their sport.

In the picture, Divers' Cove is to the right -- it is the first cove you see -- and Fisherman's Cove and Shaw's Cove are further north.

Around the point from Shaw's Cove is Crescent Bay, also a very good diving spot.

Leave a Comment

Directions: In North Laguna off Cliff Drive.

Sports Travel: Surfing

Tip Rating:

Updated by Ciambella

on May 26, 2005

Rockpile

Theme: Surfing

Thalia Street Beach, Oak Street Beach, and Brook Street Beach are the best spots for surfing, and they are very popular with the locals. Rockpile is also a very good surfing spot.

Footnote: Laguna Beach's Brook Street Surfing Contest is the oldest and longest running surfing contest in the country.

Leave a Comment

Sports Travel: Hiking And Biking: Aliso & Wood Canyons

Tip Rating:

Updated by Ciambella

on May 26, 2005

The trail at Aliso & Wood Canyons

Theme: Biking

For mountain biking or hiking, one of the best areas is Aliso & Wood Canyons Regional Park.

You can access the site from the fire road, which begins at Top of The World Park. From the fire road, there are four trails that branch off and lead you down to Aliso & Wood Canyons Park. The trails are Mathis, Rock-It, Lynx, and Cholla. The hikes or rides are up to 10 miles in distance.

Every day for years after work, I would hop on my bike and ride down the trails from my home at Top of The World. Each trail has its own characteristic and enjoyment; I have ridden them all but my favourite is Rock-It.

The park website has a very good trail map with all the necessary information on entrance and parking.

Footnote: In the spring and summer time, beware of rattlesnakes on the trails.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (949) 923-2200
Website: http://www.biketrails.com/alisowood.html

Sports Travel: My Favorite Beach For Bodysurfing

Tip Rating:

Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 18, 2006

Sunset on Sleepy Hollow Beach

Theme: Other

This was our favorite beach as teenagers.

In order to protect swimmers, city regulations prohibited surfers from being in the water between 8AM and 5PM. We liked this regulation a great deal because it enabled us to bodysurf all day. The beach was rarely crowded, and the waves came off the reef always perfectly shaped. The waves are usually good because the location of the beach allowing it to catch both north and south swells.

When the waves were small and we got bored lying on the beach, we went pool hopping in the nearby hotels. We would swim in one hotel's pool until the owner kicked us out, then we would go to another -- until we ran out of hotels and back to the beach again!

Footnote: Vacation Village Hotel and Beach House Restaurant overlook this beach.

Leave a Comment

Directions: On PCH, between Legion & Thalia. Public access to the beach is off Sleepy Hollow Ln.

Sports Travel: Hiking and Biking: El Morro Canyon

Tip Rating:

Updated by Ciambella

on May 26, 2005

Single track