If you’ve been before, you know that parking in Laguna Beach can be somewhat of a pain. That pretty much goes for any Southern California beach city, especially in the spring and summer.
The beautiful coastline of Laguna Beach is filled with residential areas among hills, hidden coves and narrow streets, which can make finding a parking spot difficult. But once you figure out where to park, you can be on your way to visiting some of the best beaches in Orange County!
How to use this guide
In the written part of this post, I will give you my best recommendations on where to park in Laguna Beach by zone/area/beach. Then I will break it down by types of parking, giving you everything you need to know, including the hours and prices (as of September 2019).
Please note that prices can change at any moment, and I will do my best to keep up with those changes.
I’ve also created an extremely helpful Google MyMap so you can visually see everything together on the map. I also have the map displayed by zone/area/beach and by daily and timed parking lots.
Once you open a larger view of the map (by clicking the icon on the upper right) you can use the checkmarks on the left side to filter by whatever you do or don’t want to see.
Customized Google Map of Laguna Beach Parking:
Map legend:
- Red zones: Parking areas
- Blue parking symbol: Daily Parking Lots
- Yellow parking symbol: Timed parking lots
- Purple star: Beaches/Points of Interest
Where to park in Laguna Beach by zone
These are the first places I look for parking whenever I’m spending a day in Laguna Beach. Sometimes it is difficult to find a parking spot, so it is a good idea to plan a backup or use the shuttle if it is operating that day. More information about the Laguna Beach shuttle can be found at the end of this post.
No matter what, always arrive in Laguna Beach early in order to have the best chance of getting a parking spot!
Use the customized Laguna Beach Parking Map to view the location of these zones and parking lots.
The Arts District:
(Sawdust Art Festival, The Laguna Playhouse, Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters)
- For a short stay: Metered parking along Laguna Canyon Road
- For the whole day:
- Closest option: Lot 10 ($15-$20)
- Budget option: Lot 17 ($5 all day on weekends)
Downtown & Main Beach:
- For a short stay: Metered parking on or around Ocean Ave and Forest Ave.
- For the whole day: Lots 13 or 14 ($5), otherwise Lot 11 or 12 ($15-$20)
Heisler Park & North Beaches:
(Rockpile Beach, Picnic Beach, Diver’s Cove, Fisherman’s Cove, Shaw’s Cove, Crescent Bay)
- For a short stay: Parking meters on Cliff Dr
- For the whole day: Free parking on the north end of Cliff Dr
South Beaches:
(Thalia Street to Wood’s Cove and many in between)
- For a short stay: Parking meters along the Pacific Coast Highway
- For the whole day: Look for a spot on a cross street of the Pacific Coast Highway (you can usually find something a block or two up).
Victoria Beach & Pirate Tower:
- Free parking along the Pacific Coast Highway
- Read this post for more information on how to get to the Pirate Tower.
Treasure Island Beach:
- For a short stay: Parking meters along the Pacific Coast Highway, Lot 7 or Lot 8 ($1.50/hour)
- For the whole day: Use a parking lot in another area and take the shuttle
Aliso Beach:
- Use the Aliso Beach Parking Lot ($1/hour)
Furthest South Beaches:
(West Street, TableRock, Thousand Steps Beach)
- For a short stay: Parking meters along the Pacific Coast Highway
- For the whole day: Free parking on the north end of the Pacific Coast Highway otherwise use Lot 15 (free after 5pm on weekdays, all day on weekends)
You can review all of these zones and beaches in the Google MyMap.
Detailed Laguna Beach Parking Information
Here is everything you need to know about the different types of parking in Laguna Beach.
Metered Parking in Laguna Beach
Parking meters can be found throughout the main areas of Laguna Beach such as downtown, Heisler Park, Laguna Canyon Road, and the Pacific Coast Highway.
If you are only planning to visit Laguna Beach for a few hours, this is a good option. If you are planning to stay for the entire day, this is not a convenient option since most meters have a 3-hour time limit. Once your meter runs out you are supposed to give up that spot.
- Parking meter rates: $1-$4.50/hour
- Park for up to 3 hours
- Enforced from 8am to 7pm (9pm in July and August)
Daily parking lots in Laguna Beach
There are 10 city lots for daily parking in Laguna Beach. This is a great option if you know you will be in Laguna Beach for the entire day (or at least for more than 3 hours). The parking lot rates vary but expect to pay up to $20/day.
Find the full list of Daily Parking Lots in the Google MyMap.
Timed parking lots in Laguna Beach
There are also 10 city parking lots in Laguna Beach that have a 3-hour time limit. Some have no limit after 5pm. These lots can be used if you are going to be in Laguna Beach for a short time, let’s say for a yoga class, lunch, a beach walk, or shopping downtown. Expect to pay up to $4.50/hour.
Find the full list of Timed Parking Lots in the Google MyMap.
Free parking in Laguna Beach
If you want to have the most convenient place to park in Laguna Beach, don’t expect it to be free. You can, however, find some free parking in Laguna Beach.
Some of these options will allow you to walk to your destination, but some will require you to use the trolley or bus service. Find information about the free Laguna Beach Trolley at the end of this post.
Expect these to parking options fill up quickly, especially in the summer.
- Free parking and shuttle into Laguna Beach are offered at the Summer Breeze Parking Lot (summer weekends only).
- Free parking along the Pacific Coast Highway can be found in a few spots.
- On Cliff Drive near Heisler Park
- From Moss St to Ruby’s Diner
- From Aliso Beach to Table Rock Beach
- Free parking can be found in a few city parking lots: Lot 15 has the most spaces and Lot 20 has very limited spaces.
Residential parking in Laguna Beach
Parking in the residential areas of Laguna Beach is not something I would recommend (in certain areas). Of course, this is going to happen in areas closer to the beach, and I would think the locals are used to it by now (but that doesn’t mean they like it). But there are quieter areas a little further from the main hot spots, and I personally would not recommend those areas as parking spots.
Here are some tips when parking in residential areas of Laguna Beach:
- Do not park in areas that have signs specifically telling you not to park there. I have seen signs that were put up by homeowners, and others that look like they were placed there by the city. Either way, just don’t do it.
- Do not park in front of someone’s garage or walkway. Most of the time you will not be able to park directly in front of a house.
- Stay closer to the Pacific Coast Highway if you can. Only because the further you go, the deeper you go into a quiet residential neighborhood.
- Watch out for no-parking zones because there are a lot.
Handicapped parking in Laguna Beach
Those with a handicap tag/plate can use the parking meters for free for up to 72 hours. This is a great option since you will not be on a time limit for the day and you might be able to get pretty close to your destination. You can also find a few handicapped spaces in Parking Lots 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 20, and the Aliso Beach Parking Lot.
Electric vehicle charging areas in Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach has 2 electric vehicle charging spots in Parking Lot 11 and 2 in Parking Lot 6. You will need to register with ChargePoint and pay the $2/hour fee, plus the standard parking fee and you can charge for up to 4 hours.
The Laguna Beach Trolley
***As of June 2020, all trolley service is temporarily halted through Labor Day 2020.***
Stay up-to-date with the Laguna Beach Trolley.
Did you know Laguna Beach offers a free trolley?! There are several routes to choose from which can basically take you through most areas of Laguna Beach, but the Short and Long Coastal Routes are probably all you need. This is a perfect idea for sightseeing and an awesome free thing to do in Laguna Beach!
In the summer the Laguna Beach Trolley operates:
- Daily from June 27 through August 30 from 930am to 1130pm
In non-summer months the Laguna Beach Trolley operates:
- Friday 4-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm, and Sunday 11am-8pm
*These dates and times are subject to change. I will do my best to keep them up to date!
Download the Visit Laguna Beach App to get route information and track where the trolleys are!
I hope you find this post and map useful! Enjoy Laguna Beach 🙂
If you need help with using the MyMap, send me an email! heather@thatocgirl.com.
Click here to open the Google MyMap.
Let me know if you have any questions at all about parking in Laguna Beach!
READ NEXT:
8 of the Best Beaches in Laguna Beach
10 Things to Do in Laguna Beach for Under $20
How to Hike to Top of the World
WoW! I didn’t even know this was a thing. Parking sound insane thanks for the post to help us out.
Parking can be tough….Laguna is a small area and popular beach spot 🙂
Very comprehensive guide to parking in Laguna Beach! The area looks gorgeous so I can imagine that parking lots fill up quickly. It can be so frustrating as a tourist not knowing the area and trying to find somewhere to park so this will definitely come in handy for visitors to Laguna Beach. Good to know there is a trolley service as well!
Thanks Brianna! I hope someone finds it useful, I know parking there can be a little frustrating!
This is super useful for city beach lovers! I have to admit, i am never a fan of parking, but i will come back and have a look at your map if/when we visit OC!
It’s interesting that there are so few spots to charge electric cars! I guess in the future, if more people buy those vehicles, it’ll be a nightmare to charge them close to the beach!
I’m seeing more and more electric cars here in California, so I thought that would be useful! Hope you visit the OC soon!
This is really helpful for anyone looking to visit Laguna beach. I love that there is a shuttle service and what a cute trolley. I love that California is so ahead of many cities in thinking about sustainability with electric car charging spots and trolley service in the area.
Yes! Most of the beaches in OC have a free summer/weekend trolley, and it’s such a fun way to see the area! Thanks Karthika!
You didn’t mention the Laguna Beach Parking App that launched in June 2019. There’s a PSA with Lauren Conrad about the Parking App.
Hi Lori, Thanks for the tip! I am hoping that some of the kinks are worked out on the app before I start recommending it. It seems like such a great idea!