1000 Steps Beach

I had the pleasure of photographing a senior portrait session at Thousand Steps Beach. While this beach is a popular spot, it's not always my first recommendation for those traveling specifically for a photo shoot due to the crowds. However, it's an excellent option if you're already staying in one of the beautiful nearby homes. Despite the crowded conditions, the photo shoot was spectacular, and we captured some truly stunning images. If you're considering this location, I highly recommend visiting during the off-season in winter to avoid the crowds and have a more intimate experience. For any senior, family, or wedding photography needs, I'm available to help you find the perfect backdrop and capture beautiful memories, whether at Thousand Steps or one of the many other incredible beaches in the area.

I was a little nervous to visit at first, but I’m so glad I did, it was absolutely worth it! The views are stunning, truly some of the best I’ve ever seen. Photos don’t do it justice. The people are friendly, and the sound of the waves is so calming. I wish I lived nearby so I could come more often. This place is a hidden gem, I highly recommend visiting if you get the chance!

The steep stairway down may seem intimidating at first, but once you reach the bottom, you’re rewarded with stunning ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and soft sand stretching along the shore. The waves crash with a calming rhythm, and the whole place has a secluded, almost secret vibe. It’s the kind of spot where you can just sit back, breathe in the sea air, and lose track of time.

1000 Steps Beach is a hidden gem with breathtaking natural beauty. The staircase down is a workout, but absolutely worth it. There’s an incredible cave that’s fun to explore—feels like a secret spot. If you walk past the cave, you’ll discover stunning tide pools by the sea. These pools are only accessible during low tide, so plan accordingly. Crystal clear water and fascinating marine life make it magical. The beach is peaceful and less crowded than other spots. Perfect for photography, nature walks, and exploring. Waves can be strong, but it’s a great place to chill and enjoy the view. Definitely a must-visit for adventure and nature lovers!

If you are looking for a hidden gem along the coast, Thousand Steps Beach is an absolute must-visit! I went there in April and was blessed with perfect weather — sunshine, a gentle breeze, and that magical light you only get on rare days. The beach itself is breathtaking: secluded, peaceful, and absolutely stunning. You access it by descending a long staircase (about 200 steps, not really 1000!), which feels like the start of a little adventure. Don’t worry — the climb back up is manageable and totally worth it. Highlights: - The Grottos: This was easily the highlight of my visit. At low tide, you can explore the mesmerizing caves on the left side of the beach. If you venture through, you’ll even reach another hidden beach — a real secret paradise! - Crystal-clear water and soft sand make it ideal for relaxing, swimming, or just soaking in the beauty. - Facilities: There’s a shower and a toilet down by the beach (only one each, but it wasn’t crowded at all during my visit). - Parking: Street parking is available at the top — it might get tricky during peak times, but in my case, it was easy and stress-free. - Sunsets: If you can, stay for sunset! The colors are unforgettable, and it’s one of the best places to watch the sun dip into the ocean. - Timing Tip: Visit at low tide if you want to explore the caves safely — and check tide charts beforehand. It’s an amazing spot for photography, quiet reflection, romantic walks, and of course, adventure if you love discovering hidden natural beauty. I genuinely had the perfect day and would come back again without hesitation. Highly recommend for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants a slice of paradise without the crowds!

The stairs keep the crowds away! There are a LOT of them. Definitely not 1000 but lots. It's easier to go down then come up. There is a lifeguard on duty and bathrooms at the bottom. Parking is TRICKY but it's well worth it. The beach is absolutely beautiful and it's clean and the water is so pretty. It wasn't crowded at all.

First time coming here and it all starts with 1000 steps down!!!!…. Actually not that many, it’s more like 200-250 steps but they call it to make people prep for the beautiful view that that can see from the shoreline! If you are around, it’s worth the try going down there! BUT, there’s only one bathroom so if there are many people you have to wait for good long time like I did… good 30 mins waiting just to pee :( so I just suggest to go to the restroom before coming here or just go to nature :p Overall, I had a good time spending time here but ironically waiting for bathroom was longer than seeing the ocean view… yet still it’s worth it! So go visit! Enjoy the steps and the ocean view! Cheers 🥂

Awesome beach! If youre driving in, the parking is limited out on the road, so go early. Starts with a couple of hundred steps down. Which wasn't bad. Beach is beautiful and waves were active. -John Wayne's house sits here and believe it's a rental - Beautiful scenery - there was water access to clean feet - was a bathroom, but was locked, so not sure on availability - nice shopping and restaurants not far away Definitely recommend visiting if youre in the area

Recent Developments with Free Parking at Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach https://gofund.me/873cb310

First time coming here and it all starts with 1000 steps down!!!!.... Actually not that many, it's more like 200-250 steps but they call it to make people prep for the beautiful view that that can see from the shoreline! If you are around, it's worth the try going down there! BUT, there's only one bathroom so if there are many people you have to wait for good long time like I did... good 30 mins waiting just to pee :( so I just suggest to go to the restroom before coming here or just go to nature :p Overall, I had a good time spending time here but ironically waiting for bathroom was longer than seeing the ocean view... yet still it's worth it! So go visit! Enjoy the steps and the ocean view! Cheers

If you can make it down those 225-250 steps of stairs up and down - the trip is worth it. It is BEAUTIFULLY MAJESTIC when it is low tide! The cave is the only reason I come here. Once you can enter the cave at low tide, you get to see more and it makes it fun especially for kids AND ADULTS (lol) to explore. Bring your water/pool shoes so you don't slip or cut to your skins on those sharp rocks. Very slippery. TIPS: hide all shiny objects (bags, chips, candies, snacks etc..) inside your towel or your backpack because the birds will come after those shiny items. Parking is hard to find for sure so be careful.

Never been to a beach quite like this one. There are indeed MANY steps when you come to the main entrance but once you're on the beach it's just a long stretch of coast. Low tide is definitely when you want to come because there's a big part of the coast to venture along with little cave structures that you can cross safely on foot when the tide is low. The walk we took ended at a very cool little area with a man-made pool constructed from rocks; it reminds me of something you'd see in Greece. Apparently it was made for some movie shoot but ended up not being used? Whether or not that's true - it makes for a great photo op! Of note the water in that little pool comes from the sea at higher tide, so it's as cold as the ocean water. It's only up to your knees or so, so not really for swimming - but it's still fun to wade around! I saw some sea urchins along the inner wall too, so that's fun. Of note, some folks do live just above the beach area and that is private property so be mindful where you go and respectful where you are! But the beach itself is public so of course you can just go and spend some time. 10/10 would rec a visit to this beach - it's oddly idyllic, and very "California" to me. :)

Very secluded and private. Lovely place to go if you want to get an insane leg workout

1,000 steps is a local favorite spot. Even in the winter it was a lovely 70 degrees. The clouds burned off and we had a beautiful day at the beach with the family. We checked the surf report and saw the waves were only 1-2 feet so perfect for the kids to play in the water. Parking is always a bit challenging, but we found a spot on PCH and walked a few stressful blocks alongside the main road. The beach had so much room for groups to spread out and enjoy. The water was quite cold but the kids loved playing in the waves. We saw anemones, crabs, fish and other animals/ creatures in the tide pools. Make sure not to take anything with you because that's illegal and you can get in trouble from lifeguards/ rangers. There were boggie boarders, some fishermen and lots of families, groups and individuals enjoying this beautiful beach. I bet it gets very crowded in the summer, but it was about perfect for us today. There aren't any restaurants like the main Laguna beach but it's feels more relaxed because of that. We love this spot.

Thousands Steps Beach is a gem in Laguna Beach. Surfers find surfable waves, walkers enjoy a pristine beach for a nice walk. Lifeguard stations are open during beach hours. A restroom and water stations are available at the bottom of the steps.

Feel the burn.. and I'm not talking about the sunburn. Thousand Steps Beach is located at the bottom of a very steep staircase in Laguna Beach. Luckily for us, 1,000 steps is an exaggeration since the staircase is closer to 250. Unluckily for us, 250 steps is still a brutal workout. Our crew planned an impromptu trip on Presidents Day to explore the Laguna coastline. We successfully avoided tourist season and February gifted us with a small taste of summer. While this famous beach gets a small crowd, it's absolutely beautiful and incredibly well kept. You'll also notice that the crowd falls off as you walk further along the coastline. This beach is also home to one of Laguna's hidden gems! If you go left at the bottom of the staircase and hike for half a mile, you'll stumble upon a man made beachside pool. Be sure to visit during low tide, otherwise the cave entrance might be closed off to visitors.

232 to be exact but definitely might feel like more! Take your time or use it as a work out just prep for the depth of these steps. I promise it's worth it all once you get fish below. Been here a few times and it still remains one of my favs with low tides being the best part of the adventure. Hang and swim or go left for a short walk to the sea cave. Be careful as you walk through the built up sand and rock formations. Watch the tide as it can come up quickly before you know it. Unique and another reason for you to come have a beach day. Restroom located at the bottom of the stairs. Pretty neat to see the tide pool wildlife just make sure to respect their natural habitats while passing through.

Lets just skip over the part of finding parking since it's just street parking so good luck to those who wish to come here. This is one of the cleaner and less crowded beaches because of the limited parking. We had a great time here bringing our beach umbrella and table set up so that we were just chilling on the beach in style! There was quite a bit to explore here but unfortunately I didn't learn about the hidden pools till after, but that's fine. It just means there'll be more to explore next visit.

Not really a 1000 steps but there's alot. Their steep n a bitch to go back up especially if u r carrying anything. So pack lightly. Place gets crowded quick, and parking is a nightmare. Literally have to park on pch n good luck w tht, also depending on where u park ur gunna hve to walk a good distance on the highway. It's a lil hard to find but just follow the people to the gate. I got thr early so was able to find a good parking spot. The water was rough the day I went so was unable to make it to tide pools. They had it closed off completely. Nice clean beach. Only have 1 restroom, yes 1 so u cld imagine the line of ppl, plus it's right where the bottom of the steps are, they didn't think this one thru wen building this place. Yea so like I said get thr early.

This place is beautiful! but.... draws large crowds, much traffic, and parking is unsafe on main road.

This is a pretty cool beach. Parking isn't too bad if you're willing to walk about 15 minutes to the steps. The walk down isn't bad but I did have to rest a couple times going up! It's not very crowded which is great and the water looks very clean!

HAHAHA... when planning our trip, i thought a thousand steps meant the beach was long! looked that way on the map LOL i was met with a long staircase that seemed to never end! truly a laguna beach experience since the light at the end of the tunnel was fully worth it! absolutely love laguna beach and this one was no exception! beautiful clear blue water with a nice clean bright sandy beach. the walk down the staircase has wonderful foliage to almost make you forget you're close to passing out! truly happy to have experienced this but definitely won't be back HAHA!! still sore with smiles :-) ...and my legs! ouch!

Worth the steps! Beautiful beach spot of laguna, nice water, soft sands. Great spot for a beach day, not too crowded.

Awesome, somewhat non-crowded and somewhat secluded OC beach! Just as described on many of the travel sites I read, the entrance to this beach is right at PCH & 9th Ave. The opening to the staircase is kinda small, but you'll likely see other people around it so you won't miss it. Staircase itself is steep but nothing too crazy. Hold on to the rail and move carefully as you descend, and you'll be totally fine. The walk back up is a doozy-- I'm no stranger to fitness (and the Stairmaster at the gym), but this climb had me stopping to catch my breath on multiple landings! Take it slow and steady, stop and rest when you need to, and you'll make it back up. Beach itself is staffed with 2 lifeguards and has plenty of space to claim a spot and relax! I went during high tide so I didn't get to explore any of the rocks or caves. Still had a very enjoyable visit. There's a little street parking on PCH, but if you go on a weekend, there is free public parking at the hospital about one more block down PCH. Just a short walk from the hospital to the stairs for the beach (be very careful though, as this part of PCH does not have sidewalks on either side of the road). It's about a one-block walk and way less stressful than trying to parallel park in the traffic of PCH.

Probably one of the nicer beaches in the area. Don't be fooled by "Thousand Steps"...the stairs only has about 221 steps so, I guess the remaining 779 steps are the steps from from the bottom of the stairs all the way to the end of the beach. It was nice and quiet when we went on a Friday afternoon. Not a whole lot of people. Just 4 surfers, 4 people doing their photo shoot for the 'Gram, a lifeguard, us, and 5 other people. The stair steps are kind of little so, if you have big feet, watch your step or walk sideways like a crab. From the top of the stairs, it seems steep but it's not too bad. You cannot bring your furry friend to this beach, sorry. It's also not wheelchair accessible. There are no escalators or elevators...just stairs and steps. Unless you own one of the houses sitting on top of this beach that has a funicular, you have to take the stairs. After you enjoy your time on the beach, remember you still have to climb up the stairs. The entrance is on 9th Ave and S Coast Highway. Park along the street.

Went there around noon time. Parking on the street Stair is 218 steps as I read from other post. I went there 3 times, I was too concentrate not to fall off the stair and catch my breath and lost counts each time Stairs is kind of steep and good to hold on the rail. Its good workout. Not crowded at the time I went Nice big houses on top Short walk to Thousand steps sea cave - I couldn't get close since the tide is high Beach very clean and doesn't smell Bathroom / outdoor shower on bottom of stair

Beware lots of steps, but not actually a thousand (more like over 200). The stairs are small so don't trip. I see people jogging on this and wonder how they don't skip a step and fall down the whole way. Anyways it gets crowded trying to share the staircase and you can't really hold the railing because it's dirty from the trees and usually swarming with ants. Don't forget anything from your car or leave anything on the beach. Your boyfriend won't go back down and get it for you

This place is a must-visit for anyone looking for breathtaking scenery and an unforgettable experience.

Be prepared to walk far for parking. Probably best drop off your guests and gear near PCH and 9th and then walk back when you find parking. Be careful getting in and out of car if you park on street. Be careful crossing if you park across from beach. Don't bring small children old people or people not in good health. Don't bring alot of stuff. It's tricky walking down all those stairs and you don't want to he carrying alot of items. Just the bare minimum cause you have to bring it all back up. The beach is beautiful Waves come at you from multiple directions and can be strong. Getting back up felt like climbing Everest had to stop multiple times to catch breath. Also, some aggressive seagulls tearing up people's snacks as they went into water.

Such a beautiful and calm beach. You got a lifeguard on duty for those who surf and for those who might pass out from walking those stairs lol. Walk south of the beach and you'll find yourself one of the hidden pools of Laguna! But of course be safe and adventure out during low-tide. Looking forward to come back and search for the other hidden pools!

Stairs are open (9/5/22) I love the workout walking up and down the stairs. Definitely not the beach to bring a lot of things to unless you want to carry a lot walking up and down the stairs. Free street parking but may be limited during the holidays and weekends. Gate is located on PCH and 9th street.

Descending all those steps is a breeze. It's the ascending that's a serious workout. As I was walking down, I noticed a handful of people having to stop and catch their breath. I'm actually proud of myself. Even though I was struggling going up those stairs with my mask on, I didn't stop. Keep in mind, this is Orange County, so only 50% of the people were wearing masks, even though the stairs are a narrow walkway. Shoulder to shoulder. The ocean water is clear, blue, and beautiful at this beach. There are also homes right on the beach. Must be nice. Each with their own private staircases up the steep hill. Not exaggerating, the stairs are steep. It felt like a 70+ degree angle. The entranceway to the beach access is off of 9th street, with free street parking. There were two guys standing at the entranceway, greeting people on my visit. There's actually a hospital across the street, but I don't recommend coming here if you're not in good physical shape. The back of calves are still sore a few days later.

It's always a good idea when you hear it but until you experience it, oh man it's totally different. My love asked if I wanted to go to the beach with him and he knows I LOVE the beach and that it's rare for him to want to go to the beach because he's not a fan of the heat but I couldn't turn it down. Parking was difficult on a Sunday. We had to drive up and down a few times before we found a spot. Small little entrance. It's a very narrow stone stairway. The steps are high/low but the step in general is a bit shallow. The slope is quite steep so going down, I recommend you hold onto the hand rail because it's also very sandy. Wasn't too bad coming down and it felt a lot shorter than I had expected. There is a small restroom area at the bottom and outdoor showers. The beach is very secluded and private since it's a hike down. There wasn't many civilians which was nice. As we were walking towards the cave, we noticed it was closed due to being high tides so I was pretty bummed I didn't get to experience the cave. That was the main purpose of the trip. Now the hike up was horrible. I felt like I pumped myself up and was confidently going up with no issues. I was psyched because I was going ahead of him but after 40 steps, it was super tiresome. My calves started cramping up and I had to keep making stops at the gaps. Everytime I looked up, it looked so much closer but it was very hard to keep going especially on such a hot day. Overall I'm proud I survived it. Want to come back for the cave but I don't know if I'm ready to hike up the stairs ever again.

Thousand Steps Beach is one of the several beaches that line the Laguna Beach coast line. This beach, like the other ones in the area, is unique yet somewhat similar. Most, like this one, are bound by beautiful rock formations to the sides and houses up above. The main thing that defines this particular beach is the very long stairwell that you must travel down to get to the beach and back up when you hope to leave. You cannot really discuss this beach without discussing the stairwell. There are a lot of steps! Many people who come here don't even go to the beach. Instead, they use this long flight of stairs as a workout tool. So, it is quite common that you will find people running up or running down the stairs when you are moving towards or away from the beach. As I am writing this review during the time of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the one thing that I find troubling about this beach and the stairwell is that many of the people are not wearing masks. This, as we are currently in the middle of a coronavirus surge where virtually all of the hospital beds in Southern California are filled. As we all understand, we don't wear the mask to protect ourselves, we wear the masks to protect the other person. As this is a thin stairwell, the people running by you, breathing heavily, could be exposing you to the coronavirus. Thus, this is something that I believe you should keep in mind when you come here because it is undoubted that you will encounter people on the stairwell not wearing their mask. In terms of the beach itself, there's a good portion of sand that people use for sunbathing and other beach recreational activities. A lot of people also come here to serve and/or play in the waves. In this regard it is truly an ideal example of a southern California beach. Overall, it is a pretty spot. Plus, you're going to get a good work out climbing back up the stairs when you leave.

The greatest rock and roll song ever comes from Led Zepplin... "The piper's calling you to join him Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow? And did you know Your stairway lies on the whispering wind?" And did you know that Thousand Steps Beach also lies on the whispering wind? I didn't count the steps, but no way was there 1,000 steps even roundtrip. The origin of the naming of this beach is lost on me. Free street parking. Good luck, though. On 12/2/20 at around noon the parking spots were almost all taken. No disability accessibility whatsoever. The stairs are a bit steep in some sections. The beach is mostly clean and the rushing waves are crystal clean, but I don't recall seeing a restroom nearby much less trash cans. Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. So remember to pack it in, pack it out. Feels great to get out during COVID-19... most people were wearing masks including me and my girls at least when we were stair stepping. I did, however, see a few rebels after my own heart.

This place serves two purposes! Beautiful location and a heck of a workout:) not technically thousand steps but might as well be called a million steps ! It's so freaking hard going up lol The payout is so amazing! The beach area and caves are worth the steps .

You want to put in work? You want to be around fitness enthusiasts? You want to get that heart pumping? You want your legs feeling like jello after a flight? Then thousands steps beach is for you! Located in Laguna off of Pch and 9th. Get there by 7:30am to avoid the battle of parking-although it's free. Honestly, this is an intense workout if your looking for some intense cardio. You will see people climbing these stairs countless times to feel the burn. I willingly decided to go when my friend mentioned it but had no idea how intense it was. We arrived at 7:30am on a Saturday and I was amazed at how many people were already going up and down the stairs countless times!! Although not 1000 steps, I read it's roughly about 220. I was so focused on not falling or tripping that I couldn't count! However, we repeatedly did the steps 6 times through and my legs are still on fire 8 hours later! Beast workout or what?! For those wanting to just enjoy the beach the stairs lead to a beautiful beach and there are caves if you keep walking to the left. It's a beautiful spot to spend the day. Regardless, to get access to this part of the beach you do have to endure the stairs so pack light if your planning a beach day trip. For the more Covid conscious person, I honestly don't recommend this spot. The stairs are not wide so it feels a bit tight and with so many people working out I can see someone getting paranoid. Laguna tried to enforce social distancing with signs but unfortunately no one follows it and limited mask wearing for those working out. However, great experience and very challenging!

Beautiful beach! Wished it was low tide so I could see the hidden pools across the cave! Definitely will be back for that! There were street parking available about 0.25 miles past the entrance! Just pay attention to whether the curbs are red or not. Furthermore, there's not 1,000 steps to get down to the beach; it should be around 200 steps. Some of the steps have deteriorated so pay attention as you walk down.

Such an amazing hike down these steps to Thousand Steps Beach. The beach was clean, beautiful and quiet. So realizing you have to get here really early to enjoy the man made pools at low tide. There's also a cave that you can hike over to a hidden beach but only at very low tide. This beach is definitely a great choice if you want to take a beach hike and explore.

So the beach was gorgeous! However with my asthma going back up the steps was horrendous. I don't regret it whatsoever. Definitely worth checking out!

This beach is stunning. It's also a great workout going up and down those stairs. I almost died going back up, but at least I only almost died at the top. The beach isn't packed and is very picturesque. Walk further down the beach to check out the cool cave. Would 10000% recommend if you are in the area.

This was my third visit to Thousand Steps beach and to be completely honest it will most likely be my last. It has been 48 hours since my visit and my legs are so incredibly sore from all the steps that I can barely walk. Each of the three times I have visited I have hoped that I could visit the cave and get to the "secret" tide pools. This visit I even checked the tides before going but they were still closed. The area is beautiful but if you want a gorgeous area that isn't as crowded as the main beaches I prefer Treasure Island beach by the Montage. This particular one is just too challenging to get to. I was pleased to see that people were social distancing and parking was not as big of an issue as it has previously been. It was wonderful to introduce my boyfriend to this beach. I have a feeling that being less active due to the pandemic has really heightened how sore my muscles are. There is a restroom that is open at the bottom of the stairs near where you can rinse your feet off.

Super fun beach located at 9th and PCH, but there is limited parking in the surrounding areas. Plan ahead and be prepared to walk and use stairs. If you want to explore it is recommended to arrive during low tide.

This is my second time in California; the first was a business trip. Therefore, this was the first time I was able to do some real sightseeing. Let me tell you; this is a beach that needs to be witnessed in person; it is cinematic. The views, breeze, and atmosphere were something that needed to be seen in person. Your senses will surely thank you. Normally, I am on the edge when I am at beeches due to my son being on the spectrum and simply making me nervous; however, he was at such peace that I could relax for hours with him. Trust me when I say, this is a beach that much be seen and felt in person.

It's very overcast today but it's still beautiful and clean. There's tons of sea birds and a single sea lion swimming just past where the waves start to form. Not many people are swimming due to Blue jellyfish-like creatures known as "by-the-wind sailors" in the water and washing up on shore. We learned these lil creatures can sting and will certainly irritate your skin. We'll be back soon when it's warmer and less stingy!

Thousands Steps Beach is also a hidden gem in Orange County if you're looking for a spot to chill by the beach without any firepits. Grab your sandwiches, snacks, juices and a good book. What a great spot for you to just relax by yourself or hangout with some friends on a weekend. Parking - Free Street Parking The entrance toward the steps is on PCH & 9th. There's no actual spot to park. When you enter 1000 steps beach into google, it'll make you turn into a residential gated neighborhood. I suggest parking on the side of the ride on PCH or PCH/7th street next to the Mission Hospital of Laguna Beach. Be careful and read all signs while parking. Amenities include: - public restroom - drinkable water - water to rinse off by the steps Enjoy your time at the beach!

Finished work early on a Thursday afternoon and wanted to go to the beach and get some exercise. If you are following your gps it will tell you to turn left or right on Pointe Place from PCH depending which way you are coming. There's no parking there. Park on the side of road on PCH and be sure not to park in the red zone. Also park someone that you will be able to pull out during traffic when leaving. You may have to walk a few blocks but that's part of the exercise I was looking for. The entrance to the steps is on 9th. There's really not 1,000 steps to the beach but it's definitely a workout. I saw several people going up and down the stairs multiple times. The beach is clean and beautiful. There seemed to be mostly local teenagers playing volleyball etc. It's nice to know that parking and beach access was free. There's also a bathroom and drinking water fountain near the bottom of the stairs. Such a peaceful beautiful beach. Note you should be somewhat fit to walk up and down the stairs.

Great spot to get a workout in up and down the stairs or chill on the beach. Careful parking on the street and walking over to the entrance on 9th ave.

Only 1,000 Steps to a BEACH PARADISE... THOUSAND STEPS BEACH, Laguna Beach, California! Everyone who has been here, knows, it's really not a 1,000 Steps, to get down to the Beach! However, after a Day in the Sun, it might just feel like a 1,000 Steps, to get Back up to the Top! I love 1,000 Steps Beach! I use to come here often, just for the Great Step Exercise! Unfortunately, I'm not the only one that likes the StairMaster & it's a Popular Exercise Morning Spot! And nowadays, because the Steps are Steep & the Stairwell is Cozy, I prefer to just come here, & enjoy this Beautiful Beach location! Truth is, I'd come here, if there were 5,000 Steps, it's that Cool of a Beach Spot! TIPS: Use the Staircase handrail, to help guide you down, because the steps are very short and can be sandy & slippery! Also Be Aware, this Beach, not only has Steep Steps when heading down, there is also a Steep Beach Face, causing Waves to vary from Size & Strength! And it's no Surprise, Parking can be a nightmare, & all I can say is Good Luck!

One of the nicest coolest beaches in LA. By far. Loved the steps. So worth the drive from La County .

A MUST DO! 4 & 1/2 STARS! A FREE BEACH & FREE PARKING & A UNIQUE BEACH EXPERIENCE THAT'S COMPLETELY HIDDEN FROM THE STREET. You can Park for FREE along PCH & near 9th St.. You've got to be in Good Physical Condition to come here & Be Prepared. DO NOT BRING CHAIRS & HEAVY COOLERS. Think of Packing a Towel, a Soft Pack Cooler & a minimum amount of stuff. Triple Check Everything before you go - You don't want to forget anything & have to go back to your vehicle. Thousand Steps Beach is a Huge Steep Staircase of Steps with a Picturesque Beach with Powerful Waves. I never counted how many stairs there are but it seems like there is a Thousand Steps! Pay absolutely no attention to the skeletons along the side; they are merely people who never made it up or down the staircase. LOL! Just Kidding! And just so you know Uber & Lyft do not pick up 1/2 way up or down the staircase & there is no Ski Chair Lift. So keep that in mind! LOL! If you want to loose 20 pounds in one day just come here. All you have to do is just forget things in your car & go up & down the staircase 5 times & then call an ambulance so they can resuscitate your passed out body. LOL! Part of the beach is Private & part of the Beach is Public. There was a paraglider who landed right on the beach. There is a cave here & Tide Pools to check out. There are houses that literally hang out over the edge of the cliffs. I swear that if someone sneezed the whole thing would come crashing down. LOL! There's a Large Sandy Beach with a Rocky Coastline to explore. They have Beautiful Sunsets here too. There is a Restroom & an Outdoor Shower also. Have Some Fun in the Sun & Enjoy Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna for FREE! It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

I've been back to this beach time and time again. Recently I've been going for the workout. The steps seem to crumble every year but it looks like they just re-poured some concrete. It's a fight to find street parking but it's definitely worth it. One of my favorite spots in Laguna!

Parking is pretty tough depending on the type of day. It was a great workout going up and down.

It is literally one thousand steps. Going down is cake. Going up is a feat. Channeling in my inner Xena Warrior Princess. Cause God knows I need all the help I can get! This beach holds a once beautiful cave. It has been desecrated with human feces, toilet paper and ample trash. I can't blame transients for this but disgusting beach goers. Utter disgrace. So much scenic beauty to be seen! Pick up your trash, you filthy animals!

The entrance is conspicuous. But the beach is very well-maintained. So when you first get there, Google Maps will say "you've reached your destination" and you may be like "where? Lol". It's a small tunnel-like pathway in between two houses with a sign that says 1000 Steps Beach. Street parking is available around it, but often is difficult to find and you may have to walk a block or two. Once you find the sign, sure enough there's about a 1000 steps straight down to the beach. Not much to see except house walls and fences on either side. The steps are well-kempt but over the years have degraded a bit. There's often a mix of sludge and water that piles up at the bottom of the steps. So needless to say, it's not very good for someone not in good physical shape. But the beach is beautiful. Lots of sand and waves. Beautiful sunsets. We enjoyed our time here so much that we almost forgot we had to now climb those steps all the way back up! Haha. But it's not too bad. You can take some rest along the way, though someone in relatively ok shape should be able to do it in one shot no problem. Plus, you don't feel guilty about just lounging around on the beach all day - you can say you got a solid leg workout! I hope you enjoy friends.. if you like our reviews, please like or share so we can keep them coming :)

Awesome beach in Laguna! The views are nice, waves are bigger compared to Newport and not too crowded. The only rough part is getting there. First off, finding parking took awhile so if you don't come early, you'll have to walk pretty far. Next, going down the stairs to "Thousand Steps" Beach. Although it's only about 220 one way, it seems like a long way down. Then walking to find a good spot on the beach and exploring the area. Definitely feels like a workout coming here but worth it! Way better than going to the main beaches and the piers where everyone always want to be at. So peaceful.

Sooo beautiful one of the best beaches I've visited in California! Loved it my daughter also loved this beach we had a great time will definitely be back! The stairs are steep and parking is a hassle but soo worth it !