6 Best Sights in Laguna Beach, Orange County and Catalina Island

Located near multiple dining venues, art galleries, and shops, Main Beach Park is the epicenter of Laguna Beach. Walk along this soft-sand beach to Bird Rock and explore nearby tide pools or just sit on one of the benches and watch people bodysurfing, playing beach volleyball, or shooting hoops around two half-basketball courts. The beach also has a children's play area with climbing equipment. Most of Laguna's hotels are within a short (but hilly) walk. Amenities: lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise, sunset; swimming.

An outdoor amphitheater is where art comes to life in the canyon. Each year Festival of Arts hosts the annual Pageant of the Masters, Laguna's signature art event. Local participants arrange tableaux vivants, in which live models and carefully orchestrated backgrounds merge in striking resemblance of classical and contemporary paintings. The pageant is part of the Festival of Arts, and is held in July through the end of August.

Located on a walking path along the cliff all the way to Laguna's Main Beach, Heisler Park is one of the most picturesque parks in Laguna Beach. Visitors come early in the summer to secure a picnic table overlooking palm trees and panoramic ocean views. Take the stairs down to Diver's Cove for snorkeling, scuba diving, and tide-pool exploring. This is also a popular area for plein air artists to set up an easel and chair and paint for hours.

This museum displays work by California artists from all time periods, representing scenery in Laguna, and the life and history of the Golden State in general. Special exhibits change quarterly.

Hikers enjoy over 40 miles of trails spread over 7,000 acres of canyon to coastal territory. Trails open daily at 7 am and stay open until sunset, weather permitting. No dogs are allowed in the park.

Off South Coast Highway, Wood's Cove is especially quiet during the week. Big rock formations hide lurking crabs. This is a prime scuba-diving spot, and at high tide much of the beach is underwater. Climbing the steps to leave, you can see a Tudor-style mansion that was once home to Bette Davis. Street parking is free yet limited. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; sunset.