4 mile hike gives you sweeping views of the coast and then ends at the Laguna Bowl.
While Laguna Beach is mostly known for its beaches, there are also quite a few hikes that provide great views of the coast. The Laguna Bowl/Water Tank Road loop is a less trafficked hike that allows you to see snow-capped mountains and the ocean with a 180 degree turn.
While there are many varieties of this hike, the version we took begins in a residential neighborhood that has limited street parking. The trail begins at a small grove of trees, which will be the last of the shade on this hike.
You'll start an aggressive upward ascent along a paved trail with the coast becoming more and more visible with every step. In the springtime, the trail will be lined with a variety of wildflowers to make the views even more pleasant.
Eventually the trail will shift to dirt and the incline does not seem to ever end. As your legs tire, I recommend turning and walking backwards for short intervals to keep pushing through toward the top. Once you get to the top, there are smaller, less visible trails that give you additional perspectives. This is a good spot to rest as the elevation tapers off from here.
You'll continue on along the dirt road and see signage for the Pacific Pocket Mouse, as the San Diego Zoo is attempting to establish a population of them here in the wild. To your left you'll also see a variety of small wind caves, which are likely home to local wildlife.
Eventually, you will come to a junction where you make a sharp right to continue on the loop trail. Here, you 'll have views of the trails you just passed and on a clear day, views out to Santa Catalina Island.
The trail will straighten out a big with lots of green space on all sides. Enjoy this easy portion of the hike as the trail then turns into a sharp decline. I find this to be the most difficult part of the hike (hiking poles will really help here) as you're hiking on your toes on uneven ground.
Once you get past this tough part of the hike, the trail will again level out and you'll spot the red seats of the Laguna Bowl. You'll continue past the bowl to Laguna Canyon Road. From here, you'll take paved roads past the Festival of Arts and onto side streets on your way back to your vehicle. Please note that these streets are very steep, so we like to break up the hike with a meal in downtown Laguna Beach before heading back up.
This is a great hike to burn some calories before a relaxing day at the beach!
Know Before You Go
There are no shaded areas on this hike - sunscreen and water are a must.
Do not go after a recent rainfall as the trail will be will of mud and difficult to traverse.
Wildflowers typically appear in March and April after a solid rainy season.
The final portion of the hike is very uphill, so prepare for steep inclines and declines.
Resources
Video
The video below shows an overview of the Laguna Bowl Loop during wildflower season.
Location
There is a variety of ways to access this trail, but I recommend starting at the address shown (intersection of Poplar and Harold). Please note all parking regulations shown.
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