Aliso Beach, Laguna Beach, CA

Aliso Beach
31131 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92652
(949)923-2280 Aliso Beach Park is located on Pacific Coast Highway in South Laguna.

Aliso Beach is an easy going family beach in South Laguna Beach. Unlike most Laguna Beaches, it is operated by the County of Orange. To the south of it is Salt Creek Beach, another County operated beach that is really nice. Aliso Beach Park features sandy beaches, rock promontories, and scenic coastal foothills. The park consists of a beach and an island area surrounded by native coastal chaparral.

 Aliso Creek winds its way down from the Laguna foothills and empties into the sea at this location and is popular for children to scamper around. A marine life refuge borders to the north and south with rock outcroppings marking the park boundary. Swimming, surfing, skin diving and fishing is also a popular pastime. A unique diamond shaped pier has been constructed to accommodate the many fishing enthusiasts. Sunbathing, tidepool exploration (look but don't touch) and sand castle building are also beach related activities. A tot lot is provided for children. A concession building at the base of the pier offers fishing gear rental and sales, food and beverages, and beach supplies. Aliso Beach is especially user-friendly because of its easy access that many Laguna Beaches throughout the city do not offer. Most are down a set of neighborhood steps, a ramp, or some hard-to-park and hard-to-access location, making them worthy of the most determined and capable beach-goers. But Aliso Beach has a large public parking lot that sits smack dab next to the flat, sandy beach. Restroom facilities offer the needed amenity most beach-goers seek. And the opportunity to build a bonfire in one of the fire rings is a privilege that nearly was lost. Several years ago the County of Orange, Beaches and Parks division, wanted to shut down the fire rings. Why? The mess the rings made required daily upkeep. But the bonfire craze and roar of the public, kept them in place. A similar situation occurred in San Francisco's Ocean Beach. They likewise, have found reprieve upon last report. The Aliso Creek, its surrounding salt marshes, and the overlooking coastal mountains were once formidable barriers to travel. This area acted as a boundary between the two major Indian tribes, the Juaneno's to the south and Gabrieleno tribes to the north. One of Laguna's early pioneers created the Aliso Canyon Wagon Trail and the Old Coast Wagon Trail, thus making Aliso Beach a popular stopping place for vacation travelers. From 1900 to the late 1940's, Aliso Beach was a private campground and continued to operate in private hands until the 1960's when the County of Orange acquired the beachfront and inland property bordering Aliso Creek. Parking facilities, restrooms and lifeguard services were soon installed. In the early 1970's a unique, diamond shaped 600 foot fishing pier was constructed at a cost of $670,000. Camel Point beach (south of Aliso) is a public beach maintained by the County of Orange. Public beach access to other County maintained beaches are West St. access, Thousand Steps, Rock & Laguna Royale.