Laguna Beach Gay Travel
wolfyy’s Laguna Beach gay travel guide to hotels & where to stay, things to do, the gay beach, & local LGBT life.
The Gay Travel Experience: Laguna Beach, California
A wholesome getaway for gay travelers, Laguna Beach is famous for its picturesque coastlines, upscale California vibes, and for being the filming location of nostalgia-inducing TV shows from the 2000s like The OC and MTV’s Laguna Beach.
Wonderfully LGBT-welcoming, Laguna Beach is ideal for a romantic couple’s getaway or trip with a group of friends. The gay scene isn’t exactly front-and-center, so you’ll need to put a little effort into seeking it out for the most authentic experience!
In this guide, I’ll recommend some wonderful places for gay travelers to stay, eat, and explore during their visit to Laguna Beach.
Gay Laguna Beach: Hotels & Where to Stay
Hotels in Laguna Beach are an obvious top choice for the convenience of being in the center of everything. And while some are luxurious and pricey, there are affordable hotel options, too.
Luckily, you don’t have to stay directly in Laguna Beach to fully experience what the area has to offer. The adjacent town of Aliso Viejo has a huge variety of accommodations. Only 15 to 20 minutes away from Laguna Beach, staying here is more than reasonable.
Condos and vacation homes in Aliso Viejo are incredibly affordable. And in addition to being much more spacious, many include access to amenities like pools and fitness centers.
More Laguna Beach Hotels
Here are a few fantastic hotels I recommend for gay travelers that are highly rated, well-located, and fairly priced.
Laguna Beach Gay Travel Experiences
Heisler Park
Walking the elevated seaside paths at Heisler Park was one of my favorite local experiences. The beautiful vistas of the beaches down below, the cliffs in the distance, and all the colorful landscaping are truly unforgettable.
The shoreline below Heisler Park is notable for tidepools, which harbor all kinds of sea life. When the tide is low, you can look around for anemones, sea stars, and snails in all the little pools of water left behind after the tide goes out.
Parking here is a cinch. There are plenty of metered spaces in a small lot adjacent to the park.
See Victoria Beach’s Pirate Tower
I loved seeing of Victoria Beach’s quaint Pirate Tower, a historic building originally used as a staircase to the shore, located just to the north of Victoria Beach. It such a picturesque spot—great for a photo, too.
You’ll be able to get closer to the Pirate Tower when the tide is lower. The rocky area leading up to the tower becomes submerged once the tide comes in, so you might want to time your visit.
Keep in mind that parking and walking access for Victoria Beach isn’t the most convenient. You’ll need to search for metered parking along Pacific Coast Highway, and then walk through a small residential area and down a few steep slopes to reach the only public beach access point.
Top of the World Laguna Niguel
Sunsets at Top of the World Laguna Niguel are particularly breathtaking. You’ll be able to see all the way to the ocean, as well as the beautifully perched residential developments along the surrounding mountains.
I couldn’t stop mentioning to my friends how refreshing the smell and feel of the cool, dewy air atop this cliffside felt. It’s also nice that this spot is not particularly busy. There were only a couple small groups of people there when we visited.
It’s easy to drive to the Top of the World lookout point. And since it’s right next to the road, there’s no walk or hike involved. You can park for free on the side of the quiet residential street, which has plenty of room.
Crystal Cove State Park
Ocean views from Crystal Cove State Park are the largest-scale and most dramatic that you’ll find in the Laguna Beach area.
The park’s winding, cliffside-hugging trails are ideal for a hike. While the paths atop the cliffside are relatively flat, you can hike to and from the actual beach below for more of a workout. The path down to the beach is a short walk north of the parking lot.
Parking costs $15, paid at a small booth upon entry. Also, the area doesn’t have much shade, so bring your sunscreen!
Explore Laguna’s Quaint Town Center
Laguna Beach has an adorable town center that’s packed with restaurants, art galleries, ice cream shops, and boutique clothing stores. Pedestrian-friendly Forest Avenue has such an inviting vibe, with people happily strolling and dining al fresco.
When you arrive, look out for the iconic travel-themed sign known as “Laguna’s Gate,” which is right outside of Chantilly Ice Cream on Forest Avenue. There’s something about travel quotes that I just love!
I grabbed dinner with friends here at Brussels Bistro after some window shopping. There are plenty of restaurant choices in the area.
For art enthusiasts, I recommend checking out the Vladimir Kush fine art gallery as well as the Pop Art Masters Gallery both of which are right on Forest Ave.
Then, after dinner, head to the adjacent Laguna Main Beach Park. It’s the perfect spot to catch the sunset and soak up the Laguna Beach vibe.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the most prominent historical landmarks in the area. You can explore the history of this Spanish mission, learn about the local indigenous people’s way of life, or just lose yourself among the stunning gardens.
I enjoyed learning some basics about the Acjachemen, and honestly might’ve liked the central Lily pad-covered koi pond and vibrant cactus flower even more!
Some delicious food options I recommend near the mission are Breezy, for breakfast/acai bowls or coffee, and Heritage Barbeque for a hefty, mouth-watering lunch.
Hang at The Local Gay Beach
West Street Beach is Laguna’s official gay beach. It’s best to visit on the weekend, specifically in the late morning and early afternoon. On Weekdays, even during summertime, you won’t find many gay locals (or travelers) hanging out here.
Whenever there’s a crowd here though, you can count on a fun and friendly time. Watching guys play volleyball in sexy gay swimwear isn’t the worst thing either!
Want to see what it’s like for yourself? Check out the West Street Beach Instagram page.
Walk the Huntington Beach Pier
While the Huntington Beach Pier is a bit farther from Laguna Beach than my other recommendations, I want to mention it because gay travelers typically find it to be an interesting place to visit.
That’s because, (if you didn’t already know), this pier is where you’ll find the view of the Hollister clothing brand’s famous live beach camera! For all the Millennial and Gen X kids who’ve shopped at Hollister Store in the 2000s, it gives us some wonderful childhood nostalgia.
I recommend visiting in the late afternoon or before sunset. If you go later, bring a sweater because it gets windy and chilly on the pier.
Duke’s Huntington Beach is an all-around favorite for dinner right off the pier. Their Hawaiian dishes are packed with unique and authentic flavors—I couldn’t get enough.
I also loved their selection of local beer, many of which perfectly complement the Hawaiian dishes.
Laguna Beach Gay Nightlife
Unlike some of the other coastal towns in Orange County, Laguna Beach doesn’t have its own gay bars. But, if you’re looking for a place to party, there are some options a bit outside of town.
The closest gay nightlife venues are in Costa Mesa, which is about a 20 to 30-minute drive north. STRUT Bar & Club is the go-to spot here, and they throw quite a few sexy events!
Long Beach has a few other options, but I personally wouldn’t leave Laguna Beach and drive all the way to these gay bars. You might as well make the most of what you have locally.
Other than these towns, your next best bets are the gay bars in Los Angeles or San Diego.
Laguna Beach Gay Travel Tips
Pack A Sweater or Two!
If you haven’t been to southern California, you might not know how cool it gets at night, especially in towns along the coast or at higher elevations. Even during the peak of summer, it gets chilly after sunset.
Be sure to pack a light windbreaker or a cozy sweater as well as pants to wear during your evening and nighttime activities.
Gay Apps Can Help Meet Locals
Let’s face it—with California’s sprawling suburbs, constant traffic, and Laguna Beach’s tucked-away gay scene, meeting gay locals can be a challenge.
Unless you’re at the local gay beach, casually bumping into gay locals isn’t so common. So if you’re traveling solo, it may be worth using a gay meetup application to strike up a conversation with some of the local gays!
Airport Options Near Laguna Beach
Wondering which airport to fly into? You have a bunch of available airports to choose from.
John Wayne Airport is Orange County’s primary airport and is the closest option to Laguna Beach. Flying here would be most convenient, eliminating any long drive from the surrounding larger airports.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the largest, most frequent choice, especially for international travelers. Flights into LAX will likely be the cheapest and most flexible of options with respect to flight frequency/timing.
San Diego International Airport is also an option worth considering. it’s about the same distance away from Laguna Beach as LAX, but in the opposite direction.
Stopping in Los Angeles before or after your trip? Read wolfyy’s Los Angeles gay travel guide.
For more inspiration, explore wolfyy’s full collection of gay travel guides.
