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The Beachcomber Author
Published: July 12, 2026
Read: 4 min
In: Travel Guide

aka Aliso Creek Beach

Aliso Beach, or sometimes called Aliso Creek Beach, is a park now managed by the city with a parking lot, lifeguards, food stand, and playground for the kiddos. The beach is formed with the meeting of Aliso Creek with the Pacific Ocean. It is just south of Treasure Island Beach, separated by the inlet of Aliso Creek. During low tide you can easily walk between the two.

Aliso Beach is a great beach for families. It is easy to find and access and has plenty of amenities. It’s the only beach in Laguna with a parking lot, but it does fill up quickly in the summer. Amenities include a playground and onsite outdoor cafe.

This beach is also popular with skimboarders. You can enjoy watching skimmers yearround and the beach is host to The Vic. This is also a popluar beach for swimming and bodyboarding. Since the break is close to shore, be careful is you are less experienced or if the swell is strong that day.

Lifeguard tower at Aliso Beach
Lost Pier Cafe at Aliso Creek
Playground at Aliso Beach Park

Aliso Beach Information

  • Address: 31131 California 1, Laguna Beach, CA, United States

  • Parking: parking lot. $1 per hour. There is overflow lot on the other side of PCH.

  • Dogs: During the summer (June 15 – Sept 10) dogs not allowed between 9 am to 6 pm. Must be on leash at all times.

  • Accessibility: Flat paved parking lot with entrance directly from lot

  • Hours: 6 am to 10 pm

  • Amenities: restrooms, food concession, playground, lifeguard

  • More Information

    • City of Laguna Beach Site: https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/180/319?npage=2

    • Lost Pier Cafe https://www.lostpiercafe.com/

OC Beach Apparel and Souvenirs

Laguna Beach Bikini

Laguna Beach Water Bottle

Laguna Beach Swim Trunks

Men’s Slides

Rules and Etiquette of Aliso Beach

  • Dogs not permitted on beach between 9am and 6pm from June 15 to September 10. Dogs not allowed off leash at any time.

  • This beach is a marine protected area. Taking or possessing marine life is against the law. No fishing, no taking animals, shells, or rocks from the tidepools, Don’t turn over rocks and walk gently.

  • Do NOT disturb the sand of the berm where Aliso Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. The berm that forms naturally helps prevent water from Aliso Creek – and any contaminants that may have washed to the coast – from gushing to the ocean and into the protected marine habitat.

  • Follow the beach warning flags displayed on the lifeguard station.
    • Red = High Hazard: high surf and/or strong currents
    • Yellow = Medium Hazard: moderate surf and/or currents
    • Green = Low Hazard: calm conditions, exercise caution
Aliso Beach looking north
Old Orange County Sign at Aliso Beach Entrance
Marine Protected Area Sign Laguna Beach
Lifeguard Tower Signs at Aliso Beach
Lifeguard Flags
Pedestrian tunnel to Aliso Beach overflow parking on other side of PCH
Swimmers enjoying the surf at Aliso Beach
Playing in the sand at Aliso Beach
Playground at Aliso Beach Park
Surf flag marker
Lifeguard tower at Aliso Beach
Fire pit and beach at Aliso Beach Park
Lost Pier Cafe at Aliso Creek

Aliso Beach Outdoor Shower
Lost Pier Cafe Sign
Lost Pier Cafe Outdoor Courtyard Seating
Tidepools at south end of Aliso
Aliso Beach view from South End with Treasure Island Beach in the distance
Aliso Beach Tidepools
South end of Aliso Beach
Aliso Beach south lifeguard tower
Lost Pier Cafe

Aliso Beach History

The County of Orange has owned portions of Aliso Beach since 1949. Parking facilities, restrooms and lifeguard services were soon installed. In 2023, Laguna Beach assumed ownership of South Laguna beaches on March 1 including Aliso Beach.

The pier at Aliso Beach

Ever wonder why the cafe at Aliso Beach is called Lost Pier Cafe? Well, there actually once was a pier at this beach. The pier lasted from 1971 to 1998. It was popular among fisherman and its unique diamond shape end made it nice for a leisurely stroll. The pier hung in until the storms of 1997 and 1998 caused the pier to sway in the wind. Surfers noted chunks of concrete falling off and the city closed it, citing public safety. It was demolished in 1999.

Source: Stu News Laguna

Aliso Beach Pier courtesy of the OC Register

What we love about Aliso Beach

Top reasons to make Aliso Creek Beach a must visit.

  1. Lots of amenities. From a cafe to restrooms and showers to a playground, there is something for everyone.
  2. It has a parking lot. Which means if you have lots of beach gear for a long day at the beach, then it’s easy to transport from your car to that perfect spot in the sand.
  3. It’s world famous. If you’re into skimboarding, there’s no way you haven’t heard of Aliso Beach.
  4. It’s close to other beaches. Can’t find a good spot to settle in for the day? Walk up the beach (in low tide) to Treasure Island. Or want a long stretch of a nice beach walk, this is a good starting point.
  5. It’s easy to find. Laguna Beach has a lot of hidden beaches. It even takes locals effort to find and visit them all. But Aliso Creek is easy to spot. If you’re driving up and down Pacific Coast Highway, there’s no way you can miss it.

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