Laguna Beach

Directions

Dive Site

Beach Access

What You'll See

Facilities

Parking

  Access is off of Pacific Coast Highway at Cleo Street.  Note, Cleo Street ends at Oceanfront, a private street.  If you try to go down the street you'll have to back out and you'll bypass the only Beach access located at the top.  So don't go down Oceanfront.

    Sometimes it may be more convenient to drop your gear at the top of the stairs with your buddy and then go park, but you may lose the last parking space...

  The access is relatively easy.  There's a staircase at the end of Cleo Street where it crosses Oceanfront.  It leads down to a sandy stretch of beach below. Watch for sand on the concrete because it can make the walk a little slippery - Use those Hand-Rails!  Caution!!  Watch that last step, the sand washes away from the base of the stairs and sometimes that last step is a BIG ONE! (See picture Below Right)

Please be mindful of the neighbors - Stairway access is between private homes...nobody enjoys a rude awakening on the weekends!

Cleo Street at PCH  ("A" Below)

Cleo Street at Oceanfront Street

Beach Access Shown from Oceanfront at Cleo Street

Access at OceanFront ("C" Below)

Beach Access looking back up to Cleo Street - Watch that Last Step! ("C" Below)

Stairway going to Beach ("B" Below)

Cleo Street is a Marine Sanctuary

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Cleo Street is often overlooked as a Dive spot in Laguna Beach, perhaps because parking is so limited.  The entry is littered with large rocks, so be careful when entering the water.  During High Tide most of the beach will be covered, so don't leave stuff on the beach and expect to find it when you get back.

  Cleo does have good access and something unique to the area however -

Located in about 50 feet of water about 200 yards from shore (a 220 degree compass heading from the beach), you'll find an old ship wreck in relatively good condition considering it's been there nearly 50 years.

The wreck is the Foss 125, AKA the Cleo Street Barge. The Foss 125 was built in 1919 in Chicago and sunk in 1958 with a deck load of gravel used in constructing a sewer line for the city of Laguna.

  Cleo Street is monitored by the Laguna Beach life guards so make sure you have a buddy and a snorkel - they check.

Cleo Street Beach From the Stairs

Cleo Street Beach

A-Cleo Street Entrance at PCH, B-Stair Access at Oceanfront, C-Stair Access at Beach, D-Foss Wreck

Picture Courtesy of Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman © 2002-2005 California Coastal Records Project

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The Foss Wreck is the highlight of the dive here since there are no real reefs in the area. To navigate out, use a compass bearing of 220 degrees from the stairway and swim out about 200 yards.  The wreck will be in about 50 feet of water.  If you prefer to use natural navigation, align yourself straight out from the center of the big brown house (second house in from the stairs).  Swim out about 150 yards and drop down - you should be close.  Visibility here is usually pretty good and I would say averages 15 to 20 feet and up to 35-50 feet on a good day.

  Sea life is typical for the area and much of it will be found around and on the wreck.  You're likely to see Senoritas, Lobster (except during Lobster Season), spanish shawls, nudibranchs, Garibaldi, sheepshead, eel grass, bat rays and assorted other goodies. 

This is a preserve, so take only pictures.

There are no facilities at Cleo Street, but there are several fast food places nearby on PCH.

There is street parking, but it is limited to about 11 spots.  You can also park on Sleepy Hollow Lane (it runs parallel to PCH).  Watch the parking signs, because Parking Enforcement here is quick and unforgiving. 

Sometimes it is may be more convenient to drop your gear at the top of the stairs (Cleo Street at Oceanfront) with your buddy and then go find Parking.

The Beach Stairway is at the end of Cleo Street with Parking along both sides of Cleo Clearly marked AND Metered.  Parking runs 25 cents per 15 minutes (that's $1 per hour for the math challenged) and runs a maximum of 3 hours.  The meters take ONLY Quarters, so bring plenty.

Parking is limited - Especially on nice Weekend Days, so plan on arriving early for the best Parking Opportunities (Before 7:00 am).

Parking Meters take only Quarters

Cleo Street has a signal

Cleo Street - Good drop-off point

Looking up Cleo Street Towards the Ocean

DIRECTIONS

From 405 Freeway exit Laguna Canyon Road (133) South towards Laguna Beach
Follow Laguna Canyon Road till it ends at Pacific Coast Highway (1)
Turn Left onto PCH and proceed about a mile just Past "Legion Street" to "Cleo Street".  There's a Taco Bell on the corner and Cleo Street is at a signal.

Turn Right onto Cleo and immediately look for Parking.
 

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