Laguna Beach is the most attractive coastal town in Orange County — a hilly, artsy enclave wedged between rocky coves and the dry chaparral of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. The town has drawn artists since the early 20th century, and that legacy is still visible in dozens of galleries, the Laguna Art Museum (strong on California Impressionists and plein air painting), and the annual Pageant of the Masters, where volunteers pose in elaborate re-creations of famous artworks.
The coastline is the other draw. Heisler Park runs along the bluffs above a string of small beaches and tide pools, and the views from Cliff Drive are among the best in Southern California. The coves are good for snorkeling and bodyboarding, and Victoria Beach at the south end of town has the unusual Pirate Tower — an eccentric 1926 stone turret rising from the sand.
The main drag, Pacific Coast Highway, is lined with restaurants, surf shops, and galleries — including the Sawdust Art Festival venue where local artists sell directly through the summer. The Greeter statue on the corner of PCH and Broadway commemorates the Danish immigrant who spent 40 years waving at everyone who passed. The town gets busy in summer, especially during the art festivals, but the vibe stays noticeably more relaxed than neighboring beach cities.