Laguna Beach

Directions

Dive Site

Beach Access

What You'll See

Facilities

Parking

 Heisler Park (South) - "Rock Pile" is at the foot of Jasmine Street and Cliff Drive just west of Pacific Coast Highway.  There is plenty of street parking all along Cliff Drive in front of Heisler Park (Which runs about four city blocks). 

  Please be mindful of the neighbors - Side streets have exclusively private residences with people who enjoy sleeping in the the weekends...nobody enjoys a rude awakening!

  The Beach access is very easy to get to down a paved trail...till you get to the stairway leading to the beach.  Be prepared, it's one heck of a climb (especially after a long dive).  The stairway will lead down to the sand and onto a rock beach - you'll note when looking back up the stairway it was built on a huge "Rock Pile" (Imagine that). 

The Water is a short walk once you hit the sand and is relatively easy access.  However, there are lots of hidden rocks and crevices, so mind your footing on the way in.

Jasmine at Cliff  Drive (Beach Access)

Top of Stairs - Beach Access

Heisler park "Rock Pile" Entry Sign

Bottom of Stairs at Beach

Beach Access looking down stairway

Beach Access from Beach Level

Beach Access looking up from Beach

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  Heisler Park's "Rock Pile" is located at the southernmost end of the park.  Plenty of Parking, nice facilities and a nice stairway leading to the beach make this a good dive spot if your willing to climb the stairs.  "Rock Pile" is easy walking distance to "Monument Point" (Just North) and "Picnic Beach" (further North) - both other sites boasting great views, good diving and facilities.

  We've rated this location as an "Intermediate Dive" because of the long stairway to the beach.  Mind your footing because sand, water, concrete steps and heavy gear make a slippery combo - Hold the hand-rails!

     Note that from June 15th through September 15th diving is only allowed from 7am till 10 pm, so prepare accordingly for the time limitations.

  Heisler Park is a preserve, so take only pictures.

Note rocky entry at "Rock Pile"

A-"Rock Pile" Access to Beach - Also shown Restrooms, parking & Change Machine

Picture Courtesy of Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman © 2002-2007 California Coastal Records Project

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  Sea life is typical for the area and much of it will be found around and on the rocks.  If your an observant diver and carry a small dive light you'll find all sorts of goodies hiding in the rocks. 

 You're likely to see Senoritas, Lobster (except during Lobster Season), spanish shawls, nudibranchs, Garibaldi, sheepshead, eel grass, bat rays and assorted other little guys & gals. 

This is a preserve, so take only pictures.

  There are excellent facilities at Heisler Park including Restrooms at both North & South Heisler.

• The South Heisler Park - "Rock Pile" facilities are at Jasmine Street & Cliff Drive behind the change machine located on the sidewalk.  Access is via a paved walkway both north & South of the Change machine

• The North Heisler Park - "Picnic Beach" facilities are North of Myrtle Street & Cliff Drive near the top of the Beach Access walkway.  Access is via a paved walkway along the cliffs of the beach.

South Heisler "Rock Pile" - Restrooms

North Heisler "Picnic Beach" - Restrooms

  There is plenty of street parking all along Cliff Drive in front of Heisler Park.  There is also a change machine at Cliff Drive and Jasmine you'll find handy if you forgot quarters.

  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 still relatively limited - Especially on nice Weekend Days, so plan on arriving early for the best Parking Opportunities (Before 8:00 am).  Remember, during the summer Divers are only allowed in the water from 7 am till 10 am.

Change Machine at Jasmine & Cliff

Plenty of Street Parking

DIRECTIONS

  From 405 Freeway exit Laguna Canyon Road (133) South towards Laguna Beach
Follow Laguna Canyon Road / Broadway till it ends at Pacific Coast Highway (1).
 

  Turn right onto PCH and then:

• Left onto Aster to Cliff Drive to Reach South Heisler Park "The Rock Pile". 

• Left onto Jasmine to Cliff Drive to Reach Mid Heisler Park "Monument point".

• Left onto Myrtle to Cliff Drive to Reach North Heisler Beach "Picnic Beach".   

  Park anywhere along Cliff Drive - There's plenty of parking all along Heisler Park.

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Pacific Wilderness, Inc.

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