Christmas Cove in Laguna Beach is a peaceful area, located as the northernmost beach under the well-known Montage Laguna Beach resort. This beautiful coastal spot is easy to get to, with parking available on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). It also has an easy-to-use access ramp, making it a handy option for many visitors.
Quick Overview of Christmas Cove
| Features | Activities | Access & Parking | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Located under the Montage Laguna Beach resort, known for its pristine coastal spot and easy accessibility. | Ideal for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, and exploring tide pools. Offers a more intimate beach experience perfect for families. | Parking available on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) with both metered and street options. Easy-to-use access ramp available for visitors. | Less crowded, offering a peaceful beach experience. Known for its rocky shores and natural beauty. |
| Not as large or crowded as nearby Treasure Island Beach. Easy access ramp makes it accessible for strollers, coolers, or bikes. | Winter sometimes brings a temporary surf break and sandbar, popular among local surfers. | Street parking near Montage Resort and paid parking structure near Treasure Island Park. | Unique surf conditions around the Christmas season. Close proximity to Victoria Beach and its hidden Pirate Tower. |
| Open year-round from 6 am to 10 pm. | Located between Goff Cove and Victoria Beach, offering a secluded spot away from the usual beach crowds. | Dogs allowed with restrictions; leash required. Drone flying and fishing are restricted due to city and marine protection laws. | Offers a tucked-away spot for relaxing times and photography opportunities. |
While it may not be as large or crowded as nearby Treasure Island Beach, Christmas Cove offers a more intimate beach experience, perfect for families. The rocky shores are dotted with tide pools, which is a great location for exploration and nature observation. It’s an ideal location for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking, away from the bustling crowds typically found at more popular beaches.
A special feature of Christmas Cove is that in the winter, certain weather and ocean conditions sometimes create a temporary surf break and sandbar. This is a big hit with local surfers. This natural event is one of the reasons for its name, Christmas Cove, since these conditions usually happen around the Christmas season.
The area is also known for its proximity to Victoria Beach to the north, which has a hidden Pirate Tower, adding to the charm of this region.
For those planning to visit, there is street parking available on PCH near the Montage Resort, and there’s also paid parking in a structure near Treasure Island Park. The address for Christmas Cove is 30801 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
Christmas Cove in Laguna Beach is open year-round from 6 am to 10 pm. For any beach activities, these hours provide ample time to enjoy the scenery, tide pools, and other amenities offered at this beautiful location.
My Experience Visiting Christmas Cove
I had a pretty relaxing time at Christmas Cove. It’s this tucked-away spot that’s not too packed, which is just how I like it. The best part was how easy it was to go down there without using any stairs. It’s an easy way down to the beach whether you have a stroller, a cooler, or even a bike. This place is snuggled right between Goff Cove and Victoria Beach. Oh, and Victoria Beach has this cool Pirate Tower that feels straight out of a storybook if you want to see that too.
Finding a spot for my car wasn’t a hassle; I found a metered space on PCH right by the Montage. I took the scenic walkway that led me to a path going down to Christmas Cove. It’s like this little secret spot away from the usual beach crowd. I hopped over some rocks and took beautiful shots of the beach and the ocean—it was pretty awesome. There’s a lifeguard tower, but no one was on duty while I was there.
I didn’t find any bathrooms right there, but the ones near the Montage are open for use. If you look to the left, that’s Goff Cove, and it definitely had more folks around. To the right, you’ll spot Victoria Beach. You can’t just stroll over there, though. I had to trek back to PCH and circle around to get to Christmas Cove. I saw some people trying to climb over the rocks to get there, but with the tide high, it wasn’t worth the risk.
Dogs are allowed at Christmas Cove in Laguna Beach with some restrictions. During the summer, between June 15 and September 10, dogs are only permitted on the beach before 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. Outside of these dates, from September 11 to June 14, dogs are allowed during regular beach hours. However, they must be on a leash that’s 6’ or shorter at all times.
As for drones, there are restrictions in place in Laguna Beach. Drone operators are not allowed to fly their remote-controlled aircraft over city parks near beaches or over city government buildings. Given that Christmas Cove is near city parks and beaches, it would fall under this restriction.
Regarding fishing, it is not permitted at Christmas Cove. Laguna Beach is a Marine Protected Area, and as such, the collection of marine life, including fishing, is not allowed within the city’s limits. However, fishing is allowed at Crystal Cove State Park, which is at the northern border of Laguna Beach
Conclusion
Christmas Cove offers a quiet, family-friendly beach day with the convenience of good accessibility, making it a must-visit location for those seeking a peaceful beach experience in Laguna Beach.
