Laguna Beach's 8 miles of coastline is a collection of pocket beaches and secluded coves, anchored in the middle by Main Beach. As many as 30 named beaches are spread along the Laguna Beach coast between Crescent Bay and Thousand Steps Beach.

The longest continuous stretch of sand runs from Main Beach Park south to Cactus Point. For convenience, this 1½-mile-long beach is divided into a dozen named segments. To the north and south of it are the smaller pocket beaches and coves.