Thousand Steps Pools

Laguna Beach, California

4.3/5
based on 9 reviews

Description

Added by Connor Van Orden

A beautiful, sometimes secluded beach with two man made pools that collect saltwater during high tide and warm up during low tide. Unbelievable sunset views.

Driving down PCH southbound. Park at 9th street Laguna beach. You'l descend 219 stairs to be exact (feels like a 1,000). Once on the beach head to your left (south) until you come across a cave.

Head through the cave (tide willing, best to go during a mid-low tide) and continue along the sea-side rocks. After only about 1/4 mile, you'll get to the highest point of the hike and you will be able to see the pools on the other side of the beach.

Note:
Please exercise extreme caution if heading to this location. This area may be closed due to tide or a large, incoming swell. Be sure to ask the lifeguards and check the tide and swell conditions before visiting.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Bathrooms
Beach
Food Nearby
Romantic
Scenic
Swimming Hole

Thousand Steps Pools Reviews

Anywhere where the median high tide touches and lower is considered public...like with all things nature, be careful; just wait a few hours for the low tide. Use your brain and be safe its not that hard to pull up the high/low tide time on your iPhone

Danger secret spot not fun or cool place to go! Move along nothing to see here. Love tim

My brothers and I are all lifeguards. One of my brothers is a supervisor at thousand steps beach. We all feel very strongly about these pool. Every year someone dies or gets gravely injured trying to reach the pools that lie on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Currently the property is for sale which is why everyone wants to go there but going to the pools is trespassing. If you are caught by the lifeguard going up there they will warn you that it is dangerous and illegal but people don't listen and that's why they get injured or killed.

Hey those are my photos! :D This is by far my favorite beach spot. It sucks that social media has blown up the spot and it's currently guarded by cops/lifeguards. Definitely watch the tides if you're trying to get over - that's how accidents happen!

Folks this is a fun spot but one thing that needs to be addressed for people unfamiliar with the ocean and getting to this location is tidal changes as well as current ocean swells. To prevent incidents like the one that Scott Bideau posted, please know what time low tide and high tide is at. When people try to scurry between wave intervals on mossy rocks during high tide, there will likely be consequences - and the ocean is unforgiving. Like all beautiful places, there are some risks involved and the only way to minimize those risks is to be knowledgeable. Check local forecasts, go during a low or moderate tide after high tide has passed, during small swells, listen to lifeguards if they are present, and have fun.

More and more people without ocean knowledge or proper navigation to the spot have been getting hurt. http://m.ocregister.com/articles/pools-650856-cave-beach.html

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Laguna Beach Caves

Thousand Steps Beach

Skimboard Table Rock Beach

Aliso Peak via the Valido Trail

Bodysurf at Aliso Beach

Salt Creek Trail

Laguna Beach

Hike gorgeous ridgelines, play in the waves, or simply meander through the jaw-dropping coastline, Laguna Beach is a memorable destination for artists and adventurers alike. 

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