Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach is a cool spot that feels hidden away from the busy world. Don’t let the name fool you; there are over 200 steps, not a 1000, but it’s still quite a walk. Wear good shoes because those steps can be slippery.
Quick Overview of Thousand Steps Beach
| Features | Activities | Access & Parking | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 200 steps to access, not 1000. Located off Pacific Coast Highway between 9th and 10th Street. | Hanging out, volleyball, exploring sea caves at low tide. | Street parking on PCH, can be challenging, especially in summer. Entrance is hidden between two houses. | Big, open beach with sea caves and tide pools. Less crowded, feels hidden away. |
| Steps can be slippery; wear good shoes. Beach is big and open. | Caution advised due to rough ocean conditions and high tide. Bring essentials as facilities are limited. | Free parking available on PCH; neighborhood across the street for additional spots. | Natural pools constructed in the 1920s, popularity increased through social media. |
| No many facilities; bring what you need and take trash with you. | Ensure to visit caves and pools at low tide for safety. | Restrooms and showers available at the bottom, which is convenient. | Adventure to reach and explore, with the thrill of timing your visit with the tides. |
| Ocean pools and sea cave exploration, dependent on tide conditions. | Advised to call Laguna Beach Lifeguards for cave access information. | Entrance might be tough to spot, look for beach signs. Updated stairs in 2022, making access easier. | Private beach feel beyond a big rock to the north, where the pools are located. Reminder to bring water and wear appropriate shoes for climbing over rocks. |
Once you’re down there, the beach is big and open—great for hanging out, playing volleyball, or checking out the sea caves when the tide is low. Just keep an eye on the ocean because it can get rough.
There aren’t many facilities, so bring what you need and take your trash when you leave to keep the beach nice.
And if you’re planning to explore the cave and pools, make sure to go when the tide is low for safety.
Thousand Steps Beach is right off Pacific Coast Highway between 9th and 10th Avenues in South Laguna. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, especially in summer, so try to get there early to find a spot on the street. The entrance might be tough to spot since it’s squeezed between two houses.
When you get down to the beach, there’s a huge sea cave and a pool area to explore, especially when the tide is out. Just make sure to keep an eye on the tide so you don’t get caught out by the water.
The ocean pools at Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach were constructed for private use in the 1920s, and there is some uncertainty about whether these pools are currently on private or public land.
These pools, once secret spots known to locals, have gained popularity through blogs and social media.
My Experience Visiting Thousand Steps Beach
When I went to Thousand Steps Beach, I found free parking right on the PCH, just across from the stairs. You could try the neighborhood across the street for more spots.
The entrance is hidden, but just look for the beach signs. The stairs seem never-ending from the top and are pretty steep, but there’s a handrail.
The steps were fine in November—not slippery at all. After they fixed them up earlier in 2022, the beach looks great.
When you get down to the beach, turn left to go to the sea cave and pools. The first pool is before the cave but the signs were up to not enter.
Because it was high tide, I couldn’t get too close to the cave, but even from a distance, it was cool to take pictures. The pool wasn’t filled with water, but the waves hitting it were a sight to see.
The warning sign was up for not entering the cave due to high tide. Some people tried to climb the rocks regardless, but the lifeguard quickly came to get them away.
I’ve heard that people often visit during the off-season or early in the morning before lifeguards arrive to explore the cave.
Personally, I’d only go when I know it’s safe. The risk of being knocked over by strong waves and slipping on the wet rocks isn’t worth it, especially when the ocean’s rough.
The beach opens from 6am to 9pm. You’ll see the sign in front of the entrance about no swimming, dogs, or drones, but people were still in the water, and a lifeguard was around. I didn’t get to check out the tide pools on the other side—you have to go through the cave at low tide to reach them.
Next time, I’ll wear sneakers instead of flip-flops so I can climb over the rocks to see the round and rectangular pools. I want to go back when it’s low tide and take pictures of the cave and pools.
I’ve heard that passing through the cave to get to the other side where the pools are can be risky. You’ve got to go when the tide is really low and make sure you don’t stick around until it rises again. Some folks say to run through the cave when the water pulls back.
You’ll end up at a small, more private beach that not many people know about. Beyond a big rock to the north, that’s where you’ll find the pools.
And remember to bring water with you; there’s no shade and it can get pretty hot. Additionally, make sure to keep clear of the private properties around Thousand Steps Beach. There are signs posted, so it’s best to stick to the beach area to avoid any issues.
There’s a shower and restrooms right at the bottom of the stairs, which is super convenient. Coming up the stairs wasn’t that bad but my calves were sore the next day.
Update: I went there on February 2nd and it was supposedly a low tide but I still couldn’t go through the sea cave because the water reached the cove. The signs were up and the lifeguard was alert preventing people going into the cave. I talked to the lifeguard and he recommended that next time I should call the Laguna Beach Lifeguards and ask if the cave is accessible.
He said this time of the year, the sea cave is usually accessible with a low tide. I was able to take closer pictures of the cave though.
I made another attempt of going at the end of February 2024 and I was able to go into the cave. The cave is massive inside.
Another cave opening is on the right. If you keep going straight, the cave narrows down and ends (you can’t go through there).
I wasn’t able to reach the pools though. The tide was still high and the ocean waves were crashing on the rocks. I climbed on top of the rocky area but couldn’t get down from there.
I have to go back when the tide is even lower. I also think I’m in a better shape now because my calves didn’t hurt the next day after climbing up the stairs.
Conclusion
Wrapping up my day at Thousand Steps Beach, it’s clear why this place is special. It’s not just about the beach itself, but the whole adventure getting there and back, discovering hidden spots, and the thrill of timing your visit with the tides.
It’s a reminder that some of the best parts of nature take a little effort to enjoy, but it’s always worth it. Next time I go, I’ll be ready to explore those tide pools and capture the beauty of that secret beach. Can’t wait to head back and experience it all over again.
