Editing Laguna Beach, California

{{short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Redirect|Laguna Beach}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Laguna Beach, California
 | settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
 | image_skyline            = Laguna Beach photo montage.jpg
 | image_caption            = Images from top, left to right: Laguna Beach coastline, Lifeguard Tower, view from Heisler Park, [[Pageant of the Masters|Festival of Arts]], and statue of Town Greeter [[Eiler Larsen]]
 | image_flag               = Flag of Laguna Beach, California.gif
 | image_seal               = Seal of Laguna Beach, California.png
 | image_map                = File:Orange County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Laguna Beach Highlighted 0639178.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250x200px
 | map_caption              = Location of Laguna Beach in Orange County, California
 | pushpin_map              = Los Angeles##USA California#USA#North America
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the [[Los Angeles Metropolitan Area]]##Location in [[California]]##Location in the [[United States]]##Location in [[North America]]
 | pushpin_relief           = yes
 | pushpin_label            = Laguna Beach
 | coordinates              = {{coord|33|31|53|N|117|46|9|W|region:US-CA_city(23,000)|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = United States
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[California]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Orange County, California|Orange]]
 | established_title2       = Founded<br />(post office)
 | established_date2        = 1887
 | established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]<br />(city)
 | established_date3        = June 29, 1927<ref>{{Cite web
   | url=http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
   | title=California Cities by Incorporation Date 
   | format=Word 
   | publisher=California Association of [[Local Agency Formation Commission]]s 
   | access-date=August 25, 2014 |url-status=dead 
   | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc 
   | archive-date=November 3, 2014
 }}</ref>
 | government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]<ref name=about/>
 | leader_title             = Mayor
 | leader_name              = Alex Rounaghi
 | leader_title1            = Mayor Pro Tem
 | leader_name1             = Mark Orgill
 | leader_title2            = City Council
 | leader_name2             = 
 | leader_title3            = City Manager
 | leader_name3             = Dave Kiff
 | leader_title4            = Assistant City Manager
 | leader_name4             = Gavin Curran
<!-- Area------------------>
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 9.86
 | area_total_km2           = 25.55
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 8.89
 | area_land_km2            = 23.04
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.97
 | area_water_km2           = 2.51
 | area_water_percent       = 9.89
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1660874|Laguna Beach|access-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref>
 | elevation_ft             = 20
 | elevation_m              = 6
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name=quif>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lagunabeachcitycalifornia|title=Laguna Beach (city) QuickFacts|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 16, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701223548/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0639178.html|archive-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref>
 | population_total         = 23032
 | pop_est_as_of            = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | population_est           = 
 | population_density_km2   = auto
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]
 | utc_offset               = &minus;8
 | timezone_DST             = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = &minus;7
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
 | postal_code              = 92651–92652
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
 | area_code                = [[Area code 949|949]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
 | blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|39178}}
 | blank1_name              = [[GNIS]] feature IDs
 | blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1660874}}, {{GNIS 4|2411595}}
 | website                  = {{URL|www.lagunabeachcity.net|lagunabeachcity.net}}
}}

'''Laguna Beach''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|'|g|uː|n|ə}}; ''Laguna'', [[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "Lagoon") is a city in [[Orange County, California]], United States. Located in [[Southern California]] along the Pacific Ocean, this [[seaside resort]] city has a mild year-round climate, scenic coves, and environmental preservation efforts. The population in the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] was 23,032.<ref name="quif"/>

Historically settled by [[Paleoindian]]s, the [[Tongva]] people, and then Mexico, the location became part of the United States following the [[Mexican–American War]]. Laguna Beach was settled in the 1870s, officially founded in 1887, and in 1927 its current government was incorporated as a city. The city adopted the [[Council–manager government|council–manager]] form of government in 1944. The city has remained relatively isolated from urban encroachment by its surrounding hills, limited highway access, and dedicated [[Green belt|greenbelt]]. The Laguna Beach coastline is protected by {{convert|5.88|mi}} of state [[marine protected area|marine reserve]] and an additional {{convert|1.21|mi}} of state conservation area.<ref name="Carlton">{{cite web|url=http://lagunabeachgazette.com/laguna-beach-marine-reserve/|title=The Giant Aquarium: Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve & Conservation Area|last=Carlton|first=Carisa|date=November 18, 2013|work=Laguna Beach Gazette|access-date=November 19, 2013}}</ref>

Tourism is the primary industry with an estimated six million<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lagunabeachcity.net/resident/abtlagbea/default.htm|title=City of Laguna Beach - About Laguna Beach|publisher=lagunabeachcity.net|language=en|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004185619/http://lagunabeachcity.net/resident/abtlagbea/default.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> people visiting the community annually.<ref>{{cite book|last=Turnbull|first=Karen|editor=Esther Cramer|title=A Hundred Years of Yesterdays|volume=II|year=2004|publisher=Orange County Historical Commission|pages=161–67|chapter=Laguna Beach and South Laguna}}</ref> Large annual events include the [[Pageant of the Masters]], Festival of Arts, [[Sawdust Art Festival]], Art-A-Fair, Bluewater Music Festival, and Kelpfest.

==History==

=== Tongva Era ===
Laguna Beach was the site of a prehistoric paleoindian civilization.<ref>{{cite book |title=Archaeology in America: An Encyclopedia |chapter=The Earliest Inhabitants and Sites |first1=Francis P. |last1=McManamon |first2=Linda S. |last2=Cordell |first3=Kent G. |last3=Lightfoot |first4=George R. |last4=Milner |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |date=December 2008 |isbn=978-0-313-33184-8 |page=22}}</ref> In 1933, the first fossilized skull of a paleoindian found in California was uncovered during construction on St. Ann's Drive.<ref>{{cite news |title=His 38-Year Affair With 'Laguna Woman'; Amateur Archaeologist Tells Affair With 'Laguna Woman' |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |last=Driscoll |first=Marjie |date=November 4, 1971 |page=H4}}</ref> Known as "Laguna Woman", the skull originally was [[Radiocarbon dating|radiocarbon dated]] to more than 17,000 [[Before Present|BP]], but revised measurements suggest it originated during the [[Holocene]] era, 11,700 years BP.<ref>{{cite book |title=Archaeological Chemistry |url=https://archive.org/details/archaeologicalch00poll_583 |url-access=limited |first1=A. Mark |last1=Pollard |first2=Carl |last2=Heron |publisher=[[Royal Society of Chemistry]] |year=2008 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/archaeologicalch00poll_583/page/n299 281]–84 |isbn=978-0-85404-262-3}}</ref> Subsequent research has found several prehistoric encampment sites in the area.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Chace |first=Paul G. |year=1965 |title=A History of Archaeology in Orange County |journal=Pacific Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=3–23 |issn=0552-7252 }}</ref>

The indigenous people of the Laguna Beach area were the Tongva. [[Aliso Creek (Orange County)|Aliso Creek]] served as a territorial boundary between [[Gabrieleno]] and [[Acjachemen]] groups, or [[Juanenos|Juaneños]], named by Spanish missionaries who first encountered them in the 1500s.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cameron |first=Constance |title=Determining tribal boundaries through potsherds-an archaeological perspective |journal=Pacific Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly |volume=35 |issue=2/3 |year=1999 |pages=96–126 |issn=0552-7252 |url=http://www.pcas.org/Vol35N23/3523Cameron.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Archaeology in America: An Encyclopedia |first1=Francis P. |last1=McManamon |first2=Linda S. |last2=Cordell |first3=Kent G. |last3=Lightfoot |first4=George R. |last4=Milner |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |date=December 2008 |isbn=978-0-313-33184-8 |page=97}}</ref> The area of [[Laguna Canyon]] was named on an 1841 Mexican land grant map as {{lang|es|Cañada de las Lagunas}} (English: Glen of the Lagoons).<ref>{{cite book|last=Gudde|first=Erwin Gustav|title=California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names|url=https://archive.org/details/californiaplacen0000gudd|url-access=registration|edition=3rd|year=1969|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley and Los Angeles, California|page=[https://archive.org/details/californiaplacen0000gudd/page/170 170]}}</ref> 

=== American era ===
After the [[Mexican–American War]] ended in 1848, the area of [[Alta California]] was ceded to the United States pursuant to the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]]. The treaty provided that Mexican land grants be honored and [[Rancho San Joaquin]], which included north Laguna Beach, was [[Land patent|granted]] to [[Sepúlveda family of California|José Antonio Andres Sepúlveda]] prior to the war. Following a drought in 1864, Sepúlveda sold the property to [[James Irvine (landowner)|James Irvine]].<ref name="CCC">{{cite book|last=[[California Coastal Commission]]|title=The California Coastal Resource Guide|date=November 6, 1987|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-06186-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/californiacoasta00cali/page/324 324–25]|url=https://archive.org/details/californiacoasta00cali/page/324}}</ref> The majority of Laguna Beach was one of the few parcels of coastal land in Southern California that never was included in any Mexican land grant.<ref name="CCC" />
[[File:Hotel Laguna pre-1917.jpg|thumb|left|Pre-1917 postcard of Joseph Yoch's original Hotel Laguna, built in 1888 and replaced in 1930]]
[[File:Laguna Beach Main Beach, Sayles Dance Hall at left, Hotel Laguna Beach in center - Tom Pulley Postcard Collection-L.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Main Beach c. 1915]]
[[File:Laguna Beach, Festival of the Arts Sign.jpg|thumb|Laguna Beach, Festival of the Arts Sign]]
Settlers arrived after the [[American Civil War]]. They were encouraged by the [[Homestead Act]] and [[Timber Culture Act]], which granted up to {{convert|160|acre}} of land to a homesteader who would plant at least {{convert|40|acre}} of trees. In Laguna Beach, settlers planted groves of [[eucalyptus]] trees.<ref>{{cite book|last=Vogel|first=Claire Marie|title=Laguna Beach|series=Images of America|date=March 31, 2009|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-6997-0|page=36}}</ref> In 1871, the first permanent homestead in the area was occupied by the George and Sarah Thurston family of Utah on {{convert|152|acre}} of [[Aliso Creek Canyon]].<ref name="Boyd">{{cite web|url=http://www.lagunabeachindy.com/early-days-of-a-pioneering-laguna-family/|title=Early Days of a Pioneering Laguna Family|last=Boyd|first=Michelle|date=March 31, 2011|publisher=Laguna Beach Independent|access-date=October 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Joseph Smith |last=Thurston |year=1947 |title=Laguna Beach of Early Days |publisher=Murray & Gee |oclc=3512568 }}</ref> In 1876, the brothers William and Lorenzo Nathan "Nate" Brooks purchased tracts of land in Bluebird Canyon at present-day Diamond Street. They subdivided their land, built homes and initiated the small community of Arch Beach.<ref name="Turnbull">{{cite book |last=Turnbull|first=Karen|title=A Hundred Years of Yesterdays: Centennial History of the People of Orange County & Their Communities|editor=Ester R. Cramer|date=January 1, 1988 |publisher=Orange County Centennial Inc.|location=Santa Ana|oclc=18979450}}</ref> In his book, ''History of Orange County, California'' (1921), Samuel Armor cited the permanent homestead of Nate Brooks as the beginning of the modern day town and described Brooks as the "Father of Laguna Beach".<ref>{{cite book|last=Armor|first=Samuel|title=History of Orange County, California|url=https://archive.org/details/historyoforangec00armo|year=1921|publisher=Historic Record Company|location=Los Angeles|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyoforangec00armo/page/478 478]–81}}</ref>

The community in Laguna Canyon and around the main beach expanded during the 1880s. The city officially founded a post office in 1887 under the name Lagona, but the postmaster in 1904, Nicholas Isch, successfully petitioned for a name correction to Laguna Beach.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Talber|first1=Thomas B.|last2=MacAuthur|first2=Mildred Yorba|last3=Meadows|first3=Don C.|title=The Historical Volume and Reference Works: Orange County|year=1963|publisher=Historical Publishers|page=241}}</ref> By then Laguna Beach already had developed into a tourist destination.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Clemence|first=Sara|date=May 23, 2005|title=Lavish Laguna Living|journal=Forbes Magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/2005/05/23/cx_sc_0523how.html}}</ref> Hubbard Goff built a large hotel at Arch Beach in 1886, which later was moved and added to Joseph Yoch's Laguna Beach Hotel built in 1888 on the main beach.<ref>{{cite book|last=Vogel|first=Claire Marie|title=Laguna Beach|series=Images of America|date=March 31, 2009|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-6997-0|page=17}}</ref> Visitors from local cities pitched tents on the beaches for vacation during the warm summers.<ref name="Neisser">{{cite journal|last=Neisser|first=JaPatmes|date=April 12, 1979|title=Laguna Beach: Orange County's Eclectic Village|journal=[[Orange Coast Magazine]]|volume=5|issue=4|pages=10–16|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zg0EAAAAMBAJ&q=Lagonas+%22Laguna+Beach%22&pg=PA10|access-date=October 8, 2013}}</ref>

=== 20th century ===
The scenic beauty of the isolated coastline and hills attracted [[plein-air]] painters in the early 1900s. [[William Wendt]], [[Frank Cuprien]], and [[Edgar Payne]] among others settled there and formed the Laguna Beach Art Association. The first art gallery opened in 1918 and later became the [[Laguna Beach Art Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lagunaartmuseum.org/about-us/|title=History|year=2013|work=About Us|publisher=Laguna Art Museum|access-date=October 8, 2013|archive-date=September 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930135824/http://lagunaartmuseum.org/about-us/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Precursors to The Festival of Arts and the Pageant of the Masters began in 1921, and eventually were established in their present-day form by Roy Ropp in 1936.<ref>{{cite book|last=Vogel|first=Claire Marie|title=Laguna Beach|series=Images of America|chapter=4 Art, Festivals and Films| date=March 31, 2009|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-6997-0|pages=77–86}}</ref> Due to its proximity to [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], Laguna also became a favorite filming location. Starting in 1913, dozens of silent films were made at local coves with [[Harold Lloyd]], [[Mary Pickford]], [[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]], and others. Actors and film crews stayed during long production shoots at the Arch Beach Tavern on the hillside above Moss Street.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sleeper |first=Jim|author-link=Jim Sleeper|title=Great movies shot in Orange County that will live forever (or at least until 1934)|year=1980|publisher=California Classics |location=Trabuco Canyon, CA}}</ref>

The arrival of painters, photographers, filmmakers, and writers established Laguna Beach as a noted artist community.<ref name="Neisser" /> Although there only were approximately 300 residents in 1920, a large proportion of them worked in creative fields.<ref name="249-250">{{cite book|last1=Talber|first1=Thomas B.|last2=MacAuthur|first2=Mildred Yorba|last3=Meadows|first3=Don C.|title=The Historical Volume and Reference Works: Orange County|year=1963|publisher=Historical Publishers|pages=249–50}}</ref> The small town remained isolated until 1926 because the long, winding Laguna Canyon road served as the only access.<ref name="249-250" /> With the completion of the [[California State Route 1|Pacific Coast Highway]] in 1926, a population boom was expected. To protect the small-town atmosphere of the art colony, residents who called themselves "Lagunatics" pushed for incorporation.<ref name="249-250" /> The municipal government for Laguna Beach incorporated as a city on June 29, 1927.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/about/overview.htm|title=City of Laguna Beach. Overview|access-date=April 29, 2009|publisher=City of Laguna Beach|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416075759/http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/about/overview.htm|archive-date=April 16, 2009}}</ref> The city has experienced steady population growth since that time, rising from 1,900 residents in 1927 to more than 10,000 in 1962, and becoming four times larger in area.<ref name="249-250" />

Many creative, bohemian, and wealthy people have made Laguna Beach their home. They have added to the local culture by providing a theme for the small town. Adventurer [[Richard Halliburton]] built his [[Hangover House]] on the slopes of South Laguna. Hildegarde Hawthorne, granddaughter of the novelist [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]], described Laguna "as a child of that deathless search, particularly by persons who devote their lives to painting or writing, or for some place where beauty and cheapness and a trifle of remoteness hobnob together in a delightful companionship."<ref>Gerry Max, ''Horizon Chasers: The Lives and Adventures of Richard Halliburton and Paul Mooney'' (McFarland, 2007), p. 67 and 258n9 for references.</ref>

Laguna Beach was the Southern California epicenter of the 'alternative' [[hippie culture]] in the late 1960s and early 1970s.<ref name="Schou">{{cite book|last=Schou|first=Jonathan |title=Orange Sunshine: The Brotherhood of Eternal Love and Its Quest to Spread Peace, Love, and Acid to the World|date=March 16, 2010|publisher=St. Martin's Press|location=New York|pages=2–8}}</ref><ref>Liz Goldner. [https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/laguna-beach-in-the-1960s-and-1970s-photos "Laguna Beach in the Sixties: A Colony for the Arts,"], KCET Artbound, January 25, 2016.</ref> In early 1967, John Griggs and other founding members of  [[the Brotherhood of Eternal Love]] relocated from [[Modjeska Canyon]] to the Woodland Drive neighborhood of Laguna Beach, which they later renamed "Dodge City".<ref name="Schou" /> [[Timothy Leary]] lived in a beach house on Gaviota Drive.<ref>{{cite book|last=Schou |first=Jonathan|title=Orange Sunshine: The Brotherhood of Eternal Love and Its Quest to Spread Peace, Love, and Acid to the World|date=March 16, 2010|publisher=St. Martin's Press|location=New York|page=69}}</ref> The Utsava Rajneesh Meditation Center was located on Laguna Canyon Road and was the last remaining commune in the United States for followers of the spiritual teacher and guru Osho, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.<ref>{{cite web |last1=EMMONS |first1=STEVE |title=Rajneesh Meditation Center Giving Way to Children's Day-Care Facility |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-10-19-me-5989-story.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120061459/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-10-19/local/me-5989_1_meditation-center |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |url-status=live |date=October 19, 1986}}</ref> 

The city was deemed a smoke-free place by Laguna Beach Council on May 23, 2017. Ordinance 1624 was imposed by the Beach Council to prohibit smoking in all public places in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lagunabeachcity.net/resident/smoking.htm|title=City of Laguna Beach - Smoke-Free Public Places|website=lagunabeachcity.net|language=en|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004185753/http://lagunabeachcity.net/resident/smoking.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Since the founding of Laguna Beach Art Association in 1913, the community has been considered an open-minded artist village. <ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Lewinnek |first=Elaine |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv2j6xf5f |title=A People's Guide to Orange County |last2=Arellano |first2=Gustavo |last3=Vo Dang |first3=Thuy |date=2022 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-29995-5 |edition=1 |volume=4}}</ref> The election of Robert F. Gentry in 1982 marked the first openly gay elected official in southern California and the first openly gay mayor in the state. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Gentry Papers |url=https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8k64jv6/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=oac.cdlib.org}}</ref> The city has held a sizable LGBTQ population since the 20th century. The Boom Boom Room of the Coast Inn was a nightclub and disco that predominately catered to the gay community until it shut down in 2007. <ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.coastinnlagunabeach.com/history |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Coast Inn |language=en-US}}</ref>

===1993 fire===
In October 1993, a fire in Laguna Beach destroyed or damaged 441 homes and burned more than {{convert|14,000|acre}}. The National Fire Protection Association listed it as the seventh-largest loss wildland fire in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=Remembering the Day Laguna Beach Burned|newspaper=[[The Orange County Register]]|date=October 27, 2013|page=News 1}}</ref> To avoid a recurrence of the damage to animals that occurred during the fire, a [[wildlife corridor]] is being created between Laguna Beach and the Cleveland National Forest in order to ensure that animals can retreat from fire safely if needed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brazil|first=Ben|date=January 29, 2021|title=Progress made on wildlife corridor connecting O.C. coast with Cleveland National Forest|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-29/progress-made-on-crucial-wildlife-corridor-connecting-o-c-coast-with-cleveland-national-forest|access-date=November 3, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
Laguna Beach is part of the [[metropolitan Los Angeles|Los Angeles metropolitan area]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Laguna Beach has a total area of {{convert|25.4|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|22.9|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} are land and {{convert|2.5|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} are covered by water. Its coastline is {{convert|7|mi|km|abbr=on}} long and includes 27 beaches and coves.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beaches|url= http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com/things-to-do/beaches/ | work=Visit Laguna Beach | publisher=Laguna Beach Visitors Center | access-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref> It is bordered by the [[Pacific Ocean]] on the southwest, [[Crystal Cove State Park]] on the northwest, [[Laguna Woods]] on the northeast, [[Aliso Viejo]] and [[Laguna Niguel]] on the east, and [[Dana Point]] on the southeast. It also borders the unincorporated community of [[Emerald Bay, Orange County, California|Emerald Bay]], which divides the northernmost part of its coastline (Irvine Cove) from the rest of the city's coast.

The land in and around Laguna Beach rises quickly from the shoreline into the hills and canyons of the [[San Joaquin Hills]]. The town's highest point, at an elevation of {{convert|1007|ft|m}}, is Temple Hill in the Top of the World neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite GNIS|1661555|Temple Hill}}</ref> Because of its hilly topography and surrounding parklands, few roads run into or out of town; only the [[California State Route 1|Coast Highway]] connecting to [[Newport Beach]] to the northwest and to Dana Point to the south, and [[California State Route 133|State Route 133]] crossing the hills in a northeastern direction through [[Laguna Canyon]]. Parts of Laguna Beach border the [[Aliso/Wood Canyons Regional Park]].

The natural landscape of beaches, rocky bluffs, and craggy canyons have been noted as sources of inspiration for plein air painters and landscape photographers who have settled in the Laguna Beach since the early 1900s.<ref>{{cite book|last=Harris|first=Eleanor|title=Quick Escapes Los Angeles, 7th: 20 Weekend Getaways from the Metro Area|edition=7th|date=November 2, 2006|publisher=GPP Travel|isbn=978-0762742196|page=[https://archive.org/details/quickescapeslosa00elea/page/11 11]|url=https://archive.org/details/quickescapeslosa00elea/page/11}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Vogel|first=Claire Marie|title=Laguna Beach|series=Images of America|date=March 31, 2009|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0738569970|page=7}}</ref> The hills also are known internationally for mountain biking.<ref name="imba.com">{{cite web |title=International Mountain Bicycling Association |url=http://www.imba.com/blog/Morgan-and-Steve-lommele/mtb-oc |access-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-date=April 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414030714/https://www.imba.com/blog/Morgan-and-Steve-lommele/mtb-oc |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Laguna Coast Wilderness Park]]<ref name="Laguna Coast Wilderness Park,">Adam Maya. [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/park-371883-laguna-save.html "Laguna Coast Wilderness Park,"] ''Orange County Register,'' September 23, 2012.</ref> is a {{convert|7,000|acre|adj=on}} wilderness area in the hills surrounding Laguna Beach. This park features coastal canyons, ridgeline views, and the only natural lakes in Orange County. Wildlife that can be found on Laguna Beach includes the Lined Shore Crab, Black Oystercatchers, Barred Sand Bass, Spiny Lobsters and the Great White Egret.  Due to the numerous steep cliffs, landslides have occurred in Laguna Beach. One incident occurred on Jan 31, 2025 and resulted in temporary closure of Thousand Steps Beach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-31 |title=Landslide in Laguna Beach shuts down Thousand Steps Beach; portion of iconic steps wiped away |url=https://abc7.com/post/landslide-laguna-beach-prompts-closure-thousand-steps-9th-street/15851723/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref>

=== Biogeography ===
The most common native species: Red Sand Verbena, Pink Sand Verbena, and Big Leaf Maple. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Calscape |title=Search California Native Plants |url=https://calscape.org/search/?plant=&orderBy=&location_name=Huntington%20Beach,%20CA,%20USA&lat=33.6594835&lng=-117.9988026&page=1&perPage=60&height_from=&height_to=&width_from=&width_to= |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=calscape.org |language=en}}</ref> {{climate chart|Laguna Beach, California|59|79|0.82|59|78|1.49|58|70|0.72|59|87|0.94|61|71|0.0.06|70|87|0.00|70|84|0.00|70|90|0.00|76|105|0.00|69.5|83|0.00|58|80|0.00|55|80|0.00|float=right|source=Weather Underground [https://www.wunderground.com/]|clear=right|units=imperial}}

===Climate===
Under the Köppen climate classification, Laguna Beach has a Cold semi-arid climate classified as BSk. The weather is considered mild with abundant sunshine all year. The average daily high temperature ranges from {{convert|68|F}} in January to {{convert|80|F}} in August. Mean annual precipitation is relatively low, at {{convert|13.56|in|mm}}. The average ocean water temperatures range from about {{convert|59|F}} in February to {{convert|68|F}} in August, with early to mid-September water temperatures often peaking at about {{convert|72|F}}.<ref name="surf-forecast">{{cite web|url= http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Laguna-Beach/seatemp |title=Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Laguna Beach|year=2013|work=Laguna Beach Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide (Orange County, USA)|publisher=surf-forecast.com|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref> However, the ocean surface temperatures along the beaches of Laguna Beach may vary by several degrees from the average, dependent upon offshore winds, air temperature, and sunshine.<ref name="surf-forecast"/>

{{Weather box
|location = Laguna Beach, California (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1928–2010)
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F  = 89
| Feb record high F  = 92
| Mar record high F  = 92
| Apr record high F  = 97
| May record high F  = 96
| Jun record high F  = 96
| Jul record high F  = 100
| Aug record high F  = 100
| Sep record high F  = 104
| Oct record high F  = 100
| Nov record high F  = 100
| Dec record high F  = 90
| year record high F = 104
| Jan avg record high F  = 78.8
| Feb avg record high F  = 78.9
| Mar avg record high F  = 80.0
| Apr avg record high F  = 83.2
| May avg record high F  = 80.9
| Jun avg record high F  = 82.3
| Jul avg record high F  = 85.7
| Aug avg record high F  = 88.1
| Sep avg record high F  = 90.3
| Oct avg record high F  = 88.3
| Nov avg record high F  = 82.4
| Dec avg record high F  = 75.6
| year avg record high F = 93.9

|Jan high F = 68.4
|Feb high F = 67.8
|Mar high F = 69.3
|Apr high F = 72.5
|May high F = 74.5
|Jun high F = 76.0
|Jul high F = 79.5
|Aug high F = 81.2
|Sep high F = 81.0
|Oct high F = 77.2
|Nov high F = 72.2
|Dec high F = 67.3
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 56.3
|Feb mean F = 56.3
|Mar mean F = 58.6
|Apr mean F = 61.3
|May mean F = 64.5
|Jun mean F = 66.9
|Jul mean F = 69.8
|Aug mean F = 71.2
|Sep mean F = 69.7
|Oct mean F = 66.2
|Nov mean F = 60.3
|Dec mean F = 55.6
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 44.2
|Feb low F = 44.8
|Mar low F = 47.9
|Apr low F = 50.1
|May low F = 54.5
|Jun low F = 57.8
|Jul low F = 60.1
|Aug low F = 61.2
|Sep low F = 58.5
|Oct low F = 55.1
|Nov low F = 48.5
|Dec low F = 43.8
|year low F =

| Jan avg record low F  = 34.7
| Feb avg record low F  = 36.9
| Mar avg record low F  = 38.9
| Apr avg record low F  = 41.7
| May avg record low F  = 46.3
| Jun avg record low F  = 49.8
| Jul avg record low F  = 53.2
| Aug avg record low F  = 53.5
| Sep avg record low F  = 51.6
| Oct avg record low F  = 45.8
| Nov avg record low F  = 39.0
| Dec avg record low F  = 34.6
| year avg record low F = 32.4
| Jan record low F  = 21
| Feb record low F  = 27
| Mar record low F  = 28
| Apr record low F  = 31
| May record low F  = 33
| Jun record low F  = 37
| Jul record low F  = 38
| Aug record low F  = 38
| Sep record low F  = 40
| Oct record low F  = 33
| Nov record low F  = 28
| Dec record low F  = 24
| year record low F = 21

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.78
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.39
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.62
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.80
|May precipitation inch = 0.20
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.11
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.11
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.02
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.16
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.49
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.13
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.87
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6.1
|Feb precipitation days = 6.5
|Mar precipitation days = 4.3
|Apr precipitation days = 2.8
|May precipitation days = 1.1
|Jun precipitation days = 0.8
|Jul precipitation days = 0.4
|Aug precipitation days = 0.1
|Sep precipitation days = 0.6
|Oct precipitation days = 1.6
|Nov precipitation days = 2.5
|Dec precipitation days = 4.3

| Jand sun  = 7
| Febd sun  = 8
| Mard sun  = 9
| Aprd sun  = 10
| Mayd sun  = 9
| Jund sun  = 9
| Juld sun  = 11
| Augd sun  = 11
| Sepd sun  = 9
| Octd sun  = 8
| Novd sun  = 7
| Decd sun  = 7
| yeard sun = 
| Jan light = 10.2
| Feb light = 11.0
| Mar light = 12.0
| Apr light = 13.0
| May light = 13.9
| Jun light = 14.4
| Jul light = 14.1
| Aug light = 13.4
| Sep light = 12.4
| Oct light = 11.3
| Nov light = 10.4
| Dec light = 10.0
| year light= 
| Jan uv  = 3
| Feb uv  = 4
| Mar uv  = 6
| Apr uv  = 8
| May uv  = 9
| Jun uv  = 10
| Jul uv  = 10
| Aug uv  = 10
| Sep uv  = 8
| Oct uv  = 6
| Nov uv  = 4
| Dec uv  = 3
| year uv = 
|source 1 = NOAA (mean maxima/minima 1981&ndash;2010)<ref>{{cite web |title=NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sgx |publisher=NOAA |access-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426005251/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=sgx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00044647&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Laguna Beach, CA
|access-date = May 25, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = Weather Atlas<ref>{{cite web |title=Monthly weather forecast and climate<br />Laguna Beach, CA |url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/california-usa/laguna-beach-climate |publisher=Weather Atlas | access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>
|date=June 2020
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1930= 1981
|1940= 4460
|1950= 6661
|1960= 9288
|1970= 14550
|1980= 17858
|1990= 23170
|2000= 23727
|2010= 22723
|2020= 23032
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706023553/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br>1860–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title=1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=September 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907072108/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title=1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828190324/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1880–1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812164053/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823050629/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828162810/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=September 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918190408/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=September 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921120611/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><br> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812164028/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812164028/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823052400/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><br> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814213918/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=August 12, 2024|archive-date=February 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204210903/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><br> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

After incorporation in 1927, Laguna Beach appeared as a city in the [[1930 U.S. Census]] as part of Laguna Beach Township.<ref name=1930CensusCA/>

===2020===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Laguna Beach city, California – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Laguna Beach city, California|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0639178&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laguna Beach city, California|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0639178&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laguna Beach city, California |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0639178&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|20,921
|19,472
|style='background: #ffffe6; |18,328
|88.17%
|85.69%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |79.58%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|183
|158
|style='background: #ffffe6; |181
|0.77%
|0.70%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.79%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|59
|34
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25
|0.25%
|0.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.11%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|486
|797
|style='background: #ffffe6; |961
|2.05%
|3.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.17%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|19
|13
|style='background: #ffffe6; |18
|0.08%
|0.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.08%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|36
|52
|style='background: #ffffe6; |130
|0.15%
|0.23%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.56%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|453
|547
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,234
|1.91%
|2.41%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.36%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,570
|1,650
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,155
|6.62%
|7.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9.36%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''23,727'''
|'''22,723'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''23,032'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010===
The [[2010 United States census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0639178|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715030328/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0639178|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Laguna Beach city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that 22,723 people, 10,821 households, and 5,791 families resided in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,313.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 12,923 housing units averaged {{convert|1,315.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race (United States census)|racial makeup]] of Laguna Beach was 90.9% White (85.7% non-Hispanic White), 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 1.51% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races.<ref name="quickfacts">{{cite web | url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0639178.html | title=Laguna Beach (city), California | work=Quick Facts | publisher=United States Census Bureau | date=June 27, 2013 | access-date=December 18, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701223548/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0639178.html | archive-date=July 1, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> About 7.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="quickfacts"/>

The census reported that 99.6% of the population lived in households, and 0.4% lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters. Of the 10,821 households, 20.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 43.6% were opposite-sex married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present. 5.2% of households were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 2.8% were same-sex married couples or partnerships. About 35.2% of households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09. The average family size was 2.72.

The population was distributed as 16.1% under the age of 18, 4.8% aged 18 to 24, 23.4% aged 25 to 44, 37.4% aged 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.6.<ref name="Bureau">{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=U.S. Census website |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|language=en|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> For every 100 females, there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.8 males.

Of 12,923 housing units, 60.0% were owner-occupied and 40.0% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%, and 64.6% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 35.0% lived in rental housing units.

During 2009&ndash;2013, Laguna Beach had a median household income of $94,325, with 6.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0639178.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=American FactFinder|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701223548/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0639178.html|archive-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref>

===2000===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 23,727 people, 11,511 households, and 5,778 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1035.1|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}. There were 12,965 housing units at an average density of {{convert|565.6|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.99% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.80% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.36% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.08% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.08% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.21% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 2.47% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] residents of any race were 6.62% of the population.

There were 11,511 households, out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.8% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the city, 15.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $90,017, and the median income for a family was $146,562.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US0639122&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0639122&_street=&_county=laguna+beach&_cityTown=laguna+beach&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= American FactFinder] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200211181146/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US0639122&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0639122&_street=&_county=laguna+beach&_cityTown=laguna+beach&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry= |date=February 11, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]</ref> Males had a median income of $66,221 versus $46,138 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $58,732. About 2.8% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

=== Crime ===
The Uniform Crime Report (UCR), collected annually by the FBI, compiles police statistics from local and state law enforcement agencies across the nation. The UCR records Part I and Part II crimes. Part I crimes become known to law enforcement and are considered the most serious crimes including homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Part II crimes only include arrest data.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Offense Definitions |url=https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/offense-definitions |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=FBI |language=en-us}}</ref> The 2023 UCR Data for Laguna Beach is listed below:
{| class="wikitable"
|+2023 UCR Data<ref>{{Cite web |title=https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend |url=https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250512145102/https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/ |archive-date=2025-05-12 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=cde.ucr.cjis.gov |language=en}}</ref>
!
!Aggravated Assault
!Homicide
!Rape
!Robbery
!Burglary
!Larceny Theft
!Motor Vehicle Theft
!Arson
|-
|Laguna Beach
|88
|1
|10
|15
|61
|243
|43
|1
|}

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach Entrance.jpg|thumb|Entrance to Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters]]

The [[Laguna Art Museum]] is rooted in the development of Laguna Beach as an art community with the creation of the Laguna Beach Art Association in 1918.<ref>{{cite book | first=Claire Marie | last=Vogel | title=Images of Laguna Beach | publisher=Arcadia Publishing | year=2009 | isbn=978-0-7385-6997-0 | pages=100}}</ref> Located beside the main beach, the museum focuses on the art of California. The [[Pageant of the Masters]], founded in 1933, is held annually during the summer months. The unique show presents recreations of famous artworks using real people as models. Community organizations also host several long-running art festivals during the summer season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Change|first=Richard|title=Summer is Festival Time|url=http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/art-255040-year-festival.html|access-date= June 28, 2010|newspaper=[[The Orange County Register]]|date=June 27, 2010|page=Arts & Entertainment 3}}</ref>

The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show, which underwent a major renovation in 2017, originated in the 1930s. It showcases juried works by 140 Orange County artists, and its stage provides a venue for daily musical performances in July and August of each year. The [[Sawdust Art Festival]] was founded in 1965 as a counterculture alternative to the Festival of Arts. It exhibits non-juried crafts and arts on a dedicated {{convert|3|acre|ha|adj=on|abbr=off}} site. The Art-A-Fair began in 1966, built an exhibition site in 1977 and exhibits juried works of 125 artists from outside the area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.coastlinepilot.com/2011-06-24/news/tn-cpt-0624-artafair-20110624_1_art-a-fair-festivals-focus-artists|title=Connection through Art-A-Fair|last=Clay|first=Joanna|date=June 24, 2011|work=Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot|access-date= October 9, 2013}}</ref>

{{anchor|Laguna Playhouse}}
The Laguna Playhouse, founded in 1920, is noted as the "oldest continuously running theatre on the west coast".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Allard|first=Maurice|date=July 1989|title=Spotlight: Laguna Beach|journal=Orange Coast Magazine|volume=15|issue=7|pages=22–24|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_GAEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22laguna+playhouse%22&pg=PA24|access-date=August 28, 2013}}</ref> The playhouse provides professional stage productions in its 420-seat Moulton Theater, as well as performances by the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre program. The [[Irvine Bowl]] is a 2600-seat amphitheater used for the Pageant of the Masters program and for occasional concerts.

The Laguna Beach [[Plein Air]] Painting Invitational is held annually in October.<ref>[http://www.LagunaPleinAir.Org Laguna Plein Air Painters Association — 15th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Some of North America's plein air landscape painters are invited to participate in the week-long events including public paint outs, artist meet and greets, and educational activities.

The Laguna Beach Arts Commission sponsors a weekly Summer Concert in the Park series at Bluebird Park and Heisler Park. The [[Laguna Beach Chamber Music Society]] holds an annual chamber music festival during the winter season. Laguna is also home to the annual Bluewater Music Festival, and Kelpfest held on [[Earth Day]], to raise awareness of the importance that kelp plays in ocean habitat.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kelpfest.org/ |title=Kelpfest 2014}}</ref>

==Registered Historic Places==
* [[Crystal Cove Historic District]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/SearchResults/e5277350-5102-445a-bccd-2337851299f8?page=6&view=list&sort=default |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=National Park Service}}</ref>
* Mariona<ref name=":1" />
* [[St. Francis by-the-Sea American Catholic Church|St. Francis by-the-sea American Catholic Church]]<ref name=":1" />

==Sports==
[[File:Lagunabeach III.jpg|thumb|Goff Cove]]

Laguna Beach has a surfing history centered on a five-block stretch of rocky reefs between Brooks and St. Ann's streets.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/surf-530717-laguna-beach.html|title=Corky: Laguna enjoyed surf scene all its own|last=Carroll|first=Corky|date=October 11, 2013|work=Orange County Register|page=Home|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref> The Brooks Street Surfing Classic, begun in 1955, is a "contender for the world's longest running surf competition," according to the Encyclopedia of Surfing.<ref name="EoS">{{cite book|last1=Warshaw|first1=Matt|last2=Finegan|first2=William|url=http://encyclopediaofsurfing.com/entries/brooks-street-surf-classic|title=The Encyclopedia of Surfing|date=November 7, 2005|publisher=Mariner Books|isbn=9780156032513|page=86|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-date=April 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232928/http://encyclopediaofsurfing.com/entries/brooks-street-surf-classic|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The competition is held only when peak swell conditions occur during a four-month-long window in the summer and has been held 52 times from 1955 to 2015. Participation is open only to Laguna Beach residents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://lagunabeach.patch.com/groups/sports/p/brooks-street-surf-classic-finally-happens-after-a-twosummer-wait|title=Brooks Street Surf Classic Finally Happens After a Two-Summer Wait|last=Kane|first=Rich|date=June 10, 2013|work=Laguna Beach Patch|access-date= April 1, 2014}}</ref>  Notable participants have included [[Hobie Alter]], [[Mickey Munoz]], and [[Tom Morey]].<ref name="EoS" />

Started in 1976, the 'Vic' Skimboarding World Championship is held at Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach and is the longest running skim boarding contest on the pro circuit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Best skimboarders in the world to hit Laguna Beach|first=Laylan|last=Connelly|newspaper=Orange County Register|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/year-362544-beach-sport.html}}</ref>

The Laguna Open Volleyball Tournament began in 1955 and, according to tournament directors, it is the second oldest volleyball tournament in the United States.<ref name="RIZK">{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/beach-512405-tournament-laguna.html|title=Laguna Beach Open returns to Main Beach|last=Rizk|first=Gabriel|date=August 21, 2013|work=Orange County Register|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref> Participants have included several Olympic gold medalists, including [[Chris Marlowe]], [[Dusty Dvorak]], [[Scott Fortune]], [[Dain Blanton]] and [[Gene Selznick]], who won the first seven competitions.<ref name="RIZK" />

==Parks and recreation==
Laguna's foothill trails are known internationally for mountain biking.<ref name="imba.com" /> [[Mountain bike hall of fame]] legend [[Hans Rey]] makes his home in Laguna Beach, as do the Rads,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtnbikehalloffame.com/page.cfm?pageid=6 |title=Hall of Fame Inductees |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706031700/http://www.mtnbikehalloffame.com/page.cfm?pageid=6 |archive-date=July 6, 2014 }}</ref> pioneers of mountain biking going back to the 1970s.

The U.S. Open for Lawnbowling is held annually at the lawn bowling field at Heisler Park.<ref>{{cite web|title=US Open 2014|url=http://www.usopenlawnbowls.com/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142658/http://www.usopenlawnbowls.com/|archive-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> There is [[Victoria Beach Pirate Tower|a historic tower]], built in 1926, at Victoria Beach.

==Government==
Laguna Beach was first settled in the 1870s, but was founded officially in 1887 and, in 1927 it incorporated as a city. Beginning in 1944, a [[council-manager]] form of government was adopted.<ref name=about>{{cite web|title=City Profile |work=City of Laguna Beach |publisher=lagunabeach.net |url=http://lagunabeachcity.net/about/localgov/default.asp |access-date=October 7, 2013 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202141501/http://lagunabeachcity.net/about/localgov/default.asp |archive-date=December 2, 2013 }}</ref> Residents of Laguna Beach elect five [[non-partisan]] council members who serve four-year staggered terms, with elections occurring every two years. The position of mayor is non-elected and chosen annually among the members of the city council. The council serves to pass ordinances, approve a budget, and hire the city manager and city attorney. The city manager oversees administrative operations and the appointment of department heads. In 2011 Ken Frank retired after 31 years, one of the longest-serving city managers in Orange County history.

The city clerk and city treasurer are elected by popular vote and serve four-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/cityclerk/default.asp | title = City Clerk | publisher = Laguna Beach, CA | access-date = January 13, 2015 | archive-date = December 23, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141223052832/http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/cityclerk/default.asp | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/treasurer/default.asp | title = City Treasurer | publisher = Laguna Beach, CA | access-date = January 13, 2015 | archive-date = December 2, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141202163213/http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/treasurer/default.asp | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===County, state, and federal representation===
Laguna Beach is located in the fifth district of the [[Orange County Board of Supervisors]] and is currently represented by Democrat [[Katrina Foley]] since 2023. 

In the [[California State Legislature]], the city is in {{Representative|casd|36|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|72|fmt=adistrict}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=County, State, and Federal Representatives |url=http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/living/representatives.asp |publisher=City of Laguna Beach |access-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016141347/http://lagunabeachcity.net/living/representatives.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Laguna Beach is in {{Representative|cacd|47|fmt=district}}.<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|47}}</ref>

According to the [https://ocvote.com Orange County Registrar of Voters], as of May 12, 2025 , Laguna Beach has 18,082 registered voters. Of those, 6,509 (38.12%) are registered Democrats, 5,042 (29.55%) are registered Republicans, and 4,620 (27.07%) have declined to state a political party/are independents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Experience |url=https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/cd9f3c5183514912af58b66dc9b37744/page/Map-Central-Main/?views=Daily-Stats%E2%80%8B |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=experience.arcgis.com}}</ref>

Laguna Beach is a Democratic stronghold in presidential elections due to its cultural liberalism and LGBTQ+ community, as no Republican has won the city since [[George H. W. Bush]] in 1988. In 2008, Laguna Beach was one of only four incorporated cities in Orange County (along with Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, and Irvine) to reject [[2008 California Proposition 8|Proposition 8]], the ballot initiative that revoked marriage rights for same-sex couples in California.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ocvote.com/fileadmin/user_upload/sov/gen2008/sov.pdf|title=Orange County Statement of Votes – 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry – November 4, 2008|website=ocvote.com|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> That same year during the [[2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic presidential preference primary]], Laguna Beach was one of three cities in Orange County where Democrats favored [[Barack Obama]] over [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ocvote.com/fileadmin/user_upload/sov/pri0208/sov.pdf|title=Orange County Statement of Votes – Democratic: President of the United States – February 5, 2008|website=ocvote.com|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>

==Education==

===Primary and secondary===
The [[Laguna Beach Unified School District]] manages public education for city residents. The district includes one high school ([[Laguna Beach High School]]), one middle school (Thurston Middle School), and two elementary schools (El Morro Elementary School and Top of the World Elementary School). One private elementary school, St. Catherine of Siena Parish School, is overseen by the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange]]. Students who live in the sall portion of Laguna Beach that borders [[Aliso Viejo, California|Aliso Viejo]], although contracted to the city's schools, may choose to attend the [[Capistrano Unified School District]], as the schools are closer and much more accessible to their homes.

===Higher education===
The [[Laguna College of Art & Design]] (LCAD) is a small [[private college]] located in Laguna Canyon. It was founded in 1961 by the Festival of Arts and Laguna Art Museum as the Laguna Beach School of Art. LCAD offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in drawing and painting, illustration, animation, graphic design, and game art, and master of fine arts degrees in painting and drawing. In 2013, enrollment was approximately 450 students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/laguna-college-of-art-and-design-23305|title=Laguna College of Art and Design|year=2013|work=Colleges|publisher=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|access-date=October 9, 2013|archive-date=September 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926091112/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/laguna-college-of-art-and-design-23305|url-status=dead}}</ref> The nearest public college is [[Saddleback College]] in [[Mission Viejo, California|Mission Viejo]].

==Media==
{{anchor|Laguna Beach Independent}}
Laguna Beach is part of the [[Los Angeles]] media market. Laguna Beach also has its own FM community radio station, [[KXRN-LP]].<ref>Laguna's Only FM Radio Station http://kx935.com Retrieved Sept.30, 2014</ref> The community is served by an online newspaper, ''Stu News Laguna'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Front Page |url=https://www.stunewslaguna.com |website=Stu News Laguna |publisher=Shaena Stabler |access-date=July 2, 2021 |language=en-gb |quote=Laguna Beach's online newspaper and community forum. We put out new editions online twice a week}}</ref> and one weekly print newspaper, the ''Laguna Beach Independent''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Laguna Beach Local News Feed |url=https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/ |website=Laguna Beach Independent |publisher=Firebrand Media LLC. |access-date=July 2, 2021}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Along Pacific Coast Highway..jpg|thumb|upright|Laguna Beach along Pacific Coast Highway]]

=== Transportation ===
[[Orange County Transportation Authority]] operates two bus routes in Laguna Beach.<ref>{{cite web |title=2024 Laguna Beach Fact Sheet |url=https://octa.net/pdf/fact-sheet/Laguna-Beach-Fact-Sheet.pdf |website=www.octa.net |publisher=Orange County Transportation Authority |access-date=17 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=System Map |url=https://www.octa.net/getting-around/bus/oc-bus/routes-and-schedules/system-map/ |website=www.octa.net |publisher=Orange County Transportation Authority |access-date=17 May 2025}}</ref>

=== Emergency Services ===
Fire protection in Laguna Beach is provided by the [[Laguna Beach Fire Department]], and law enforcement by the Laguna Beach Police Department.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-laguna-beach-police-cars-american-flag-20190413-story.html|title=Putting American flags on police cars sparks backlash in Laguna Beach|last=Pinho|first=Faith E.|date=April 14, 2019|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 15, 2019}}</ref> Marine safety services are provided by Laguna Beach City Lifeguards.

Laguna Beach has used goats for its fuel reduction and vegetation management program since the early 1990s.<ref>[http://www.fema.gov/mitigationbp/brief.do?mitssId=5386 FEMA: Mitigation Best Practices Portfolio<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

=== Health Care ===
Laguna Beach is served by one health care facility: 

* [https://www.providence.org/locations/socal/mission-hospital-laguna-beach?Is=location&y_source=1_MTMyNjgyNjEtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D Providence Mission Hospital Laguna Beach] (Hospital)

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Laguna Beach, California}}

==Conservation and environment==
[[Image:Laguna Beach people.jpg|thumb|Main Beach in Laguna Beach]]

Laguna Beach is the only Orange County city protected by a dedicated greenbelt inland and bluebelt seaward. In 1968, local conservationists founded Laguna Greenbelt and began a drive to conserve a horseshoe of hills and canyons surrounding Laguna Beach.<ref>{{cite news | title=Laguna Greenbelt: An Idea That Became a Crusade | newspaper=Los Angeles Times |last=Fetherling |first=Dale | date=September 19, 1976 | page=OC1}}</ref> As of 2011, more than {{convert|20000|acre}} of contiguous wildlands constituted The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Jim Dilley Preserve, Crystal Cove State Park, and the Aliso-Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lagunagreenbelt.org/laguna_greenbelt_history.html|title=Laguna Greenbelt History|year=2011|work=About|publisher=Lagunagreenbelt.org|access-date=October 6, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809214813/http://www.lagunagreenbelt.org/laguna_greenbelt_history.html|archive-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref>

The creation of the {{convert|7000|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[Laguna Coast Wilderness Park]] as a protected area began in the late 1980s and early 1990s when local artists, activists and politicians rallied to preserve [[Laguna Canyon]]. With the environmentally focused [[Laguna Canyon Project]] and its photographic mural, "The Tell,"<ref>Cathy Curtis. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-21-ca-775-story.html "''The Tell'' Does Indeed Deliver Its Message of Protest,"] ''Los Angeles Times,'' August 21, 1989.</ref> as backdrop and stimulus, Laguna citizens forged a partnership to prevent construction of a {{convert|3200|acre|adj=on}} housing project in the canyon. An exhibition on the Laguna Canyon Project, titled "The Canyon Project: Artivism," was held at [[Laguna Art Museum]] in 2015–16.<ref>Dave Barton. [http://www.ocweekly.com/2015-10-29/culture/the-canyon-project-artivism-laguna-art-museum/full/" "Laguna Art Museum exhibit celebrates the city's defining feature—no, it's not the beach"]{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''OC Weekly,'' October 29, 2015.</ref><ref>Antoine Boessenkool. [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/laguna-687778-chamberlain-road.html" "New exhibit in Laguna recalls 'The Canyon Project'"] ''Orange County Register,'' October 17, 2015.</ref> Today the Wilderness Park and Laguna Canyon within it are designated as open space in perpetuity.<ref name="Laguna Coast Wilderness Park,"/>

The [[Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve]] (LBSMR), which extends from Irvine Cove to Treasure Island Beach, was established in 2012, to make most of the coastal area a no-take zone.<ref name="Reckas">{{cite news|url=http://www.lagunabeachindy.com/2011/12/30/ocean-protections-ashore/|title=New Ocean Protections Come Ashore|last=Reckas|first=Ted|date=December 30, 2011|work=Laguna Beach Independent|access-date=October 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724221935/https://lagunabeachindy.com/2011/12/30/ocean-protections-ashore/|archive-date=July 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Docents of the Laguna Ocean Foundation provide monitoring and education at tidepools within the LBSMR.<ref name="Reckas"/> In addition, the {{convert|3.2|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[Crystal Cove State Park]] abuts the northern border of Laguna Beach.

As a result of Laguna's Marine Protected Area "no-take zones" the local waters teem with fish, including sheepshead and large calico bass.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/opinion-green-light-7/|title=Opinion: Green Light|date=January 29, 2021}}</ref>

American Craftsman Bungalows from the early 1900s dot the downtown and South Laguna areas. Between 1980 and 1981, the city conducted the Laguna Beach Historic Survey, a citywide block-by-block study which noted the location of pre-1940 buildings and determined which had historic significance.<ref>{{cite web|last=UC Irvine Special Collections|title=Guide to the Laguna Beach Historic Survey Board Records, 1980-1981|url=http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt2h4nb12j/}}</ref> 706 homes and structures in Laguna Beach were classified as historically significant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lagunabeachcity.net/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=2500|title=Laguna Beach Historic Resources Survey|last=Rollinger|first=Verna|author2=Laguna Beach City Council|date=December 21, 1982|publisher=Lagunabeachcity.net|access-date=October 6, 2013|archive-date=May 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521154224/http://lagunabeachcity.net/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=2500|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Laguna Beach is the tenth official [[Transition Towns|Transition Town]] in the U.S. In February 2007, Laguna's city council unanimously voted to join the [[Mayors Climate Protection Center|U.S. Mayors Climate Initiative]], and in April 2013 became the first Orange County city to make a formal request that the San Onofre Nuclear Reactor not be restarted after its January 2012 shutdown. The Aliso Creek Water Reclamation Facility went into operation in 2014. The facility removes polluted runoff in Aliso Creek, improves ocean water quality, and creates locally recycled water.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://scwd.org/projects/alisocreek.asp |title=Laguna Beach Water Project |access-date=May 27, 2014 |archive-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528010717/http://www.scwd.org/projects/alisocreek.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> With a grant from Cal Trans, the city is undertaking a transition plan to implement [[Complete Streets]] for all users. A north–south bicycle route with signs and [[sharrows]] was completed through town in 2014. Laguna Beach passed a citywide "[[Idaho stop]]" ordinance for cyclists, a no-plastic-bag ordinance and a no-plastic-bottle purchasing policy for its government.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==In popular culture==
The 1972 instrumental by Black Sabbath "Laguna Sunrise" was inspired by a sunrise guitarist Tony Iommi witnessed after a night of partying. 
In 2004, MTV created a [[reality television]] show entitled ''[[Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County]]'', which aired for three seasons.

Laguna Beach is the setting for the Netflix television series ''[[Dead to Me (TV series)|Dead to Me]]''.

==Sister cities==
Laguna Beach has three sister cities:<ref>{{cite web |title=Laguna Beach Sister Cities|url=https://www.visitlagunabeach.com/about-us/sister-cities/|publisher=City of Laguna Beach|access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>

* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Menton]], France
* {{flagicon|MEX}} [[San José del Cabo]], Mexico
* {{flagicon|GBR}} [[St Ives, Cornwall|St Ives]], United Kingdom

==See also==
*[[List of beaches in California]]
{{Portal bar|Greater Los Angeles|California|United States}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links | wikt=no| commons=Category:Laguna Beach, California| b=no| n=no| q=no | s=no| v=no| voy=Laguna Beach| species=no | d=no | display=Laguna Beach}}
* {{Official website|http://www.lagunabeachcity.net}}
* [http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com/ Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau - Tourism]

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Laguna Beach
 | North = [[Laguna Coast Wilderness Park]]
 | Northeast = [[Aliso Viejo]] & [[Laguna Woods]]
 | East = [[Laguna Niguel]]
 | Southeast = [[Laguna Niguel]]
 | South = [[Dana Point]]
 | Southwest = [[Pacific Ocean]]
 | West = [[Pacific Ocean]]
 | Northwest = [[Newport Beach]]-[[Newport Coast]]
 | image =
}}
{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}
{{Orange County, California}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Laguna Beach, California| ]]
[[Category:Artist colonies]]
[[Category:Cities in Orange County, California]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in California]]
[[Category:San Joaquin Hills]]
[[Category:Skimboarding locations in California]]