Things to do with kids in Laguna Beach

Aliso Beach Park

Pirate ship playground set right in the sand at the beach kids can play on the structure and look out over actual breaking waves. One of the few playgrounds in OC that's literally at the water's edge rather than across a parking lot from it. Lost Pier Cafe is right there for food. Parking lot on site but fills fast on summer weekends.

Alta Laguna Park

Top of the World a bluff park at the literal top of Laguna Beach with panoramic views of the ocean, the inland valleys, and on clear days the Great Park balloon. Fine sand, boulders and bridges for climbing, tennis and pickleball courts, covered picnic tables. The trailhead here connects to Carolyn Wood Knoll for 360-degree views if you want to extend into a hike. Early morning is best before the gnats show up on hot days. Dedicated parking lot take Park Ave from PCH all the way to the top.

Crescent Bay Beach

Protected cove in north Laguna Beach with calm water and rocky areas packed with tide pool life sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, and mussels.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Thousands of acres of coastal sage scrub and oak woodland accessible from Laguna Canyon Road one of the most impressive open spaces in all of OC. The Nix Nature Center (on-site) gives kids a scavenger hunt and hands-on fossils before you head out. Mary's Trail near the center is a half-mile family-friendly loop. Longer trails go deep into the wilderness. Spring wildflowers here are worth a special trip.

Laguna Main Beach Playground

Beachfront playground right in downtown Laguna under a massive fig tree ocean-themed equipment designed as a lifeguard tower with kelp wall climbers, bridges, a tall windy slide, and interpretive panels about tide pool marine life. You can watch dolphins from the play structure on a good day. Parking is a battle especially in summer plan to walk from further away. Only 2 baby swings so expect a wait on busy days. The beach is steps away and downtown restaurants are a block off.

Moulton Meadows Park

Gets less traffic than the beach parks so it's a calmer option when downtown is packed. Good morning park.

Victoria Beach / Pirate Tower

A privately built spiral staircase tower sitting right on the beach you can't go inside (private property) but kids lose their minds over it anyway. The real magic is the tide pools and rock formations surrounding it. Absolutely check tide charts before going high tide cuts off access completely and rip currents are real. Park on PCH near Victoria Drive (neighborhood permit zones everywhere else). Best on a calm weekday morning at low tide with kids old enough to handle rocky terrain. No restrooms, no lifeguards.

ARTime Barro Ceramics Studio

Real pottery wheel throwing and hand building right in the heart of Laguna Beach's art scene at 450 Ocean Ave. Parents stay on-site (no drop-off). The setting alone is worth it: a legit ceramics studio a few blocks from the beach in one of California's original art towns.

Laguna Art Museum

Legitimately beautiful building on the main drag in Laguna.

Laguna Art Museum LAM Kids Programs

Kids' Art Studio runs the third Sunday of every month. 307 Cliff Dr, right on the Laguna Beach art strip.

Laguna Beach Library

Crescent Bay Tide Pools

Protected cove in north Laguna Beach with rocky areas packed with life sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, mussels, and small fish in natural pools. Calm enough for young kids to wade, interesting enough for older ones to spend an hour without being bored. Water shoes are helpful but not required.

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

A working rescue and rehabilitation center at 20612 Laguna Canyon Rd you watch actual injured seals and sea lions being cared for in large outdoor pools, not performing. Educational in the most honest way possible. Explain before you arrive that the animals are sick and recovering, so kids understand why they can't touch them. Docents are usually around on weekends. The 'meet the animals' moment of seeing a real sea lion 15 feet away lands differently than any aquarium tank.

Laguna Playhouse

One of California's oldest professional theaters, in Laguna Beach Village. The annual holiday Panto British-tradition pantomime with slapstick, audience call-and-response, and gender-flipped roles is the flagship family event and a format most OC kids have never seen. Check lagunaplayhouse.com for current family season.

Laguna Playhouse Youth Conservatory Performances

The quality is higher than a school play but the format is friendly and inclusive. Good for kids who might be intimidated by a 'real' theater experience. Check lagunaplayhouse.com/education for conservatory performance dates, which are usually Feb–March and again in spring.

Laguna Beach Farmers Market

The setting near the beach galleries gives it a relaxed art-colony feel. Pair with a walk to the Main Beach boardwalk after. Street parking is tight; arrive early.

Chantilly Ice Cream

Family-owned ice cream, smoothie, and coffee shop right at the corner of Forest Ave and PCH in Laguna Beach which means it's exactly where you end up after beach time. Homemade ice cream, casual and friendly. Not Instagram-famous, just actually good and in the perfect location to make beach day even better.

Kana Kitchen

Neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot that actually gets busy because it's that good not touristy, genuinely community-vibed. Cash-friendly; arrive at open or go mid-afternoon to avoid weekend waits.

Moulin French Bakery Laguna Beach

Charming family-run French bakery at 248 Forest Ave, a few blocks from the beach croissants, pain au chocolat, crepes, waffles, Parisian sandwiches, and strong coffee. A morning-or-afternoon treat stop that works for parents who want something genuinely good alongside a kid-friendly pastry. Also has a Dana Point location (2 Ritz Carlton Drive) and San Clemente (120 Avenida Pico).

The Cottage Restaurant

Laguna's beloved breakfast/brunch spot been there decades with genuinely good scratch cooking in a cozy cottage setting. Always full because it deserves to be.

Endless Quest Roasters

Endless Quest is on Coast Highway with single-origin specialty roasts and ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan. If you're in Laguna and you want something that tastes like the roaster actually cares, this is it.

Jedidiah Coffee

Jedidiah roasts in Laguna Canyon, single-origin from places like Ethiopia and Guatemala. The kind of coffee place where people know what their drink tastes like and that's okay. First-timer discount usually available.

Dolce Gelato

Dolce Gelato does specialty flavors like lime shortbread and salted maple caramel. Gelato's creamier than ice cream so it tastes expensive even though it's not going to bankrupt you.

South Swell

South Swell does hand-dipped ice cream bars and soft serve. Laguna location means you're near the beach so this is a natural post-tide-pool stop.

Festival of Arts Fine Art Show

Family Art Day events add kid-friendly activities throughout the run. Artsy kids find this genuinely interesting; it's not a fair or festival but it has atmosphere. Parking in Laguna Beach in summer is brutal use the city trolley from satellite lots.

Pageant of the Masters

Annual summer event (July-August) where real people pose motionless inside recreations of famous paintings the effect is genuinely mind-bending in person. Better for older kids who can sit through it and appreciate the artistry, but even skeptical kids tend to get pulled in. Part of the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach.