There are two beaches in California called 1000 Steps Beach. Most people searching for one do not know the other exists. Both are worth visiting. Both have their own secrets. And neither actually has 1,000 steps. This guide covers both completely, starting with the more dramatic of the two in Laguna Beach, then moving up the coast to the quieter, lesser-known version in Santa Barbara.
Whether you are planning a Southern California beach day or a Central Coast escape, here is everything you need to know before you go.
1000 Steps Beach is one of the largest beaches in South Laguna Beach, a sandy beach with volleyball courts, restrooms, and tide pools and sea caves to discover.
It sits about four miles south of Laguna Beach’s main town center, tucked below coastal cliffs lined with palm trees and expensive homes. The combination of limited parking, a steep staircase, tide pools, sea caves, and a genuinely beautiful stretch of sand makes it one of the most rewarding beaches in Orange County for visitors willing to put in a little effort.
The name is part myth, part earned. The actual number of steps is 223, which has been double-checked. Just take your time and you will get there. But after climbing back up from the beach in the afternoon sun, 223 feels entirely accurate.
To get to Thousand Steps Beach, head to the intersection of 9th Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. The beach access staircase is directly across from 9th Avenue on PCH.
By car: Enter “1000 Steps Beach Laguna Beach” into GPS and it will take you directly to the access point.
Parking: There is both free and metered parking available along PCH, and you will want to park as close as possible to 9th Avenue. Laguna Police love to give out tickets to those who make parking mistakes so pay close attention to signs and painted lines.
Backup parking: If you cannot find parking at 1000 Steps Beach, which is common during summer, head south along PCH for four miles and you will arrive at Salt Creek Beach. This beach has a large parking lot and the fee is $1.00 per hour.
Best alternative: Consider the free Laguna Beach trolley or ride-sharing services to avoid parking headaches. The trolley runs seasonally and stops near the beach access point.
The staircase is steep, narrow in parts, and built into the cliff face. Going down takes only a few minutes. Coming back up is the part nobody warns you about enough.
Those 218 steps are no joke. Good footwear is essential for the trek down and back up.
Wear proper shoes. Flip flops are fine on the beach itself but the stairs, especially the lower sections, can be wet, sandy, and uneven. Sneakers or water shoes are the right call.
For anyone with mobility concerns: due to the steep descent, this beach is not easily accessible for those with mobility issues and parking is a distance away and fills up early.
The tide pools at 1000 Steps Beach are the reason most visitors make the trip.
Crucially, always check tide charts before visiting, especially if you plan to explore the caves and hidden pools, as access is only safe during low tide.
At low tide the rock shelves below the cliff expose a series of natural pools filled with sea anemones, hermit crabs, small fish, sea urchins, and starfish. These are not manicured aquarium exhibits. They are wild, living ecosystems. Touch things gently if at all. Do not remove anything.
The saltwater pools further north along the rocks are the most photogenic. They hold clearer water than the lower tide pools and reflect the cliffs beautifully. Getting to them requires scrambling over rocks so water shoes are not optional.
Always check the tide before going. A high tide does not just cover the tide pools. High tides can cover a great deal of the beach. Visit at low tide or within two hours either side of low tide for the best experience.
A reliable tide chart app or NOAA’s free website (tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov) shows predicted low tides for Laguna Beach days in advance.
On the south end of the beach there is a pretty decent-sized cave that you can walk in and explore. During low tide there is almost no water in the cave, but at high tide it can start to move around quite significantly, so be careful. Pay attention to the water coming in so that you do not get stuck inside.
This is the detail most guides skim over. The cave is not just a cave. At the south end of Thousand Steps Beach there is a cave in the rock wall that you can enter when the tide is out and the entrance is exposed. You can walk all the way through this cave, which is actually a tunnel, to a tiny rocky cove on the other side.
That cove on the other side connects to Table Rock Beach and eventually to Totuava Beach, a completely secluded spot almost no visitors ever reach.
At the north end of Thousand Steps Beach there is another rock tunnel, but this one leads to an excellent beach that you must see. This hidden beach, known as Totuava Beach, is not accessible at high tide as the water around the rocky point will be too deep and the tunnel will be closed off too. When the tide is low it is easy to walk on sand around the point but the tunnel is way cooler.
One sea cave actually leads to another beach, Totuava Beach, a very secluded cove beach that also has another sea cave access point from Table Rock Beach. Should you venture there, it is extremely important to pay close attention to tides, otherwise you run the risk of getting stuck on the beach.
This is the gap most articles about 1000 Steps Beach completely miss. The beach you can see from the bottom of the stairs is just the beginning. With a proper low-tide window and water shoes, you can access at least two more beaches and two separate cave passages that most visitors never know exist.
The safety rule: Never enter the caves or venture around rocky points unless you have at least two hours of low tide remaining. Tides come in faster than they look. Getting trapped on Totuava Beach with the tide rising is a genuine emergency.
A popular spot for surfing, the waves here grow large and offer up a bit of a challenge.
The beach break at 1000 Steps is not beginner-friendly. The waves are powerful and the rocky bottom in sections means wipeouts carry real consequences. Intermediate to advanced surfers will find good conditions here, particularly in the morning before onshore winds pick up.
Kayak tours also operate in the area and provide access to the sea caves from the water side, which gives a completely different perspective on the same coastline.
For tide pools and caves: Low tide windows, typically 2 to 3 hours centered on the lowest point of the day. Check NOAA tide charts for exact times.
For crowds: Weekday mornings. Summer weekends are busy and parking becomes very difficult by 9 AM.
For weather: June, July, and August have the warmest water (around 66 to 70°F). May and June are affected by “June Gloom,” a marine layer that keeps the coast overcast until midday. September and October often have the best weather of the year with warm, clear days and fewer visitors than peak summer.
Sunrise: The beach faces west so it does not get morning sun directly on the sand. But early morning is the best time for empty tide pools and available parking.
Known as the Thousand Steps, 1000 Steps, One Thousand Steps, and originally Camino al Mar, this 157-step, multi-tier stairway will take you from the cliffs at the end of Santa Cruz Boulevard to the beach below. The steps included a rigid gazebo structure when built in 1925.
This is an older, quieter, and completely different experience from the Laguna Beach version. The Santa Barbara beach is smaller, more residential, and genuinely hidden within a neighborhood that most visitors never penetrate.
This beach got its name from what perhaps seemed like 1,000 steps leading down to the beach below. Today there are maybe 100 steps (if that) that lead to the sandy shoreline. It will take only a minute or two to descend.
1000 Steps Beach is at the end of Santa Cruz Boulevard off of Shoreline Drive at 1429 Shoreline Drive. This beach is usually accessed via the residential Mesa neighborhood and is somewhat hidden. There is no official parking lot. Rather, parking is curbside on nearby city streets. Parking is allowed on one side of the narrow end of Santa Cruz Boulevard.
The address to put in GPS is 1429 Shoreline Drive, Santa Barbara. Park on Santa Cruz Boulevard and walk to the end of the street to find the staircase.
One notable feature is the picturesque cliffs, which provide stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, especially at sunset. The beach also has tide pools home to various marine life, such as starfish, anemones, and crabs.
A fairly short drive from Shoreline Park Beach and during low tide you can actually walk between 1000 Steps Beach and Shoreline Park Beach. This makes for an excellent coastal walk that most visitors entirely miss.
Be careful on part of the steps. At times water flows over them and they can be fairly slippery.
| 1000 Steps Laguna Beach | 1000 Steps Santa Barbara | |
|---|---|---|
| Steps | 218 to 223 | 157 (feels like fewer) |
| Beach size | Large, 400 yards of sand | Smaller, more intimate |
| Tide pools | Exceptional, the main draw | Good, quieter version |
| Sea caves | Two cave passages, hidden beach | Not present |
| Facilities | Restrooms, showers, volleyball | No official facilities |
| Parking | PCH street parking, fills fast | Residential street parking |
| Crowds | Popular, busy in summer | Quieter, more local |
| Best for | Adventure, cave exploration | Sunsets, seclusion |
If you want a tide pool adventure, cave exploration, and hidden beaches, go to Laguna Beach.
If you want a quiet, local experience with beautiful sunsets and far fewer visitors: Santa Barbara.
Both versions of this beach have specific packing requirements. Most visitors underprepare and regret it.
Water shoes are essential at Laguna Beach. The rocks between the tide pools are sharp, covered in barnacles, and genuinely slippery when wet. Bare feet will get cut. Regular flip flops will come off in the surge. The WHITIN Men’s/Women’s Minimalist Water Shoes are a consistently rated option for tide pool exploration. They have a protective sole, drain fast, and grip wet rock properly. Shop on Amazon
Sun protection is not optional. Both beaches are fully exposed with minimal shade. The combination of direct sun and reflection off the water intensifies UV exposure significantly. The EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 is a water-resistant reef-safe sunscreen that does not rinse off in tide pools or ocean swimming. Genuinely better protection than most drugstore options. Shop on Amazon
For exploring the sea caves and photographing tide pools: A waterproof phone case that actually works. The Catalyst Waterproof iPhone Case provides genuine waterproofing down to 33 feet, protects against drops on rocky surfaces, and keeps your camera usable inside sea caves where waves come in without warning. Shop on Amazon
Check tide tables every time. This is not optional advice. At Laguna Beach, being caught in the sea caves or on Totuava Beach at rising tide is a rescue situation. At Santa Barbara, the steps can become slippery from water runoff. Know the tides before you leave home.
Never turn your back on the ocean. Both beaches have strong shore breaks and occasional rogue waves. The rocks around the tide pools can be quickly covered by surge. Watch the water constantly when near rocks.
Do not take anything from the tide pools. It is illegal to remove marine life, shells, or rocks from California beaches. The fines are significant, and the ecological impact is real.
The cave at Laguna Beach can flood quickly. Enter only on a confirmed low-tide window. If you hear waves echoing loudly inside the cave, the tide is turning. Exit immediately.
Bring more water than you think you need. There is no food or drink at either beach. The climb back up the stairs at both locations will make you thirsty.
Aliso Beach: About a mile south on PCH. A larger, more family-friendly beach with a proper parking lot. Good if 1000 Steps parking is full.
Table Rock Beach: Just south of 1000 Steps and connected by low-tide rock walking. Beautiful, rarely crowded, and a good alternative if 1000 Steps is busy.
Crystal Cove State Park: About 5 miles north on PCH. One of the best preserved stretches of Orange County coastline with excellent tide pools and hiking trails above the cliffs.
Laguna Beach Main Beach: 4 miles north, the social center of the town. Good for the beach walk, volleyball, and the surrounding art galleries.
Shoreline Park: A short walk north along the cliff-top trail. One of the best ocean views in Santa Barbara and an excellent picnic spot.
Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry’s Beach): About a mile west, a popular local beach with a good restaurant (The Boathouse) and consistent surf.
Santa Barbara Harbor: 15 minutes drive, where fishing boats, whale watching tours, and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum all operate from the same protected harbor.
How many steps are actually at 1000 Steps Beach in Laguna Beach?
Approximately 218 to 223 steps, depending on the count. The name comes from the feeling of the climb rather than the actual number. Going down takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Coming back up takes longer.
How many steps are at 1000 Steps Beach in Santa Barbara?
The official Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation count is 157 steps on a multi-tier stairway built in 1925. Some visitors report it feeling like fewer.
Is 1000 Steps Beach good for families with young children?
The Laguna Beach version requires care with young children due to the steep stairs and rock hazards around the tide pools. The Santa Barbara version is shorter and calmer, making it more manageable for families. Both require supervision near the water and rocks at all times.
Can you swim at 1000 Steps Beach Laguna Beach?
Yes, but the shore break can be powerful. The beach is more popular for tide pool exploration, cave exploring, and surfing than for casual swimming. Boogie boarding is common when conditions are right.
What time should I arrive to find parking?
For summer weekends, arrive before 8 AM to find street parking on PCH near 9th Avenue. After 9 AM on summer weekends, parking becomes very difficult. Weekday visits have significantly better availability.
Is the sea cave at Laguna Beach safe?
Yes, with the correct tidal planning. Visit only during a confirmed low-tide window with at least 90 minutes of low tide remaining. Do not enter if there is strong surge inside the cave. The cave is a tunnel that leads to a rocky cove, not a dead end, but the exit on the other side requires scrambling on rocks.
Is 1000 Steps Beach in Santa Barbara the same as Laguna Beach?
No. They share a name and both involve a staircase to reach the beach, but they are two completely separate beaches in different cities. Santa Barbara’s version is in the Mesa neighborhood accessed from Santa Cruz Boulevard. Laguna Beach’s version is on PCH at 9th Avenue in South Laguna.
Do I need water shoes?
For the Laguna Beach version: yes, strongly recommended if you plan to explore the tide pools or caves. For the Santa Barbara version: useful but less critical since the beach access is less rocky.
The name 1000 Steps Beach promises a workout and delivers much more.
At Laguna Beach, it delivers tide pools that most visitors spend far too little time in, sea caves that lead to genuinely hidden beaches, and a stretch of coastline that somehow stays less crowded than it deserves to be purely because of the parking and the stairs.
At Santa Barbara, it delivers a quiet, neighborhood beach with a century-old staircase, beautiful sunset views, and the rare feeling of being somewhere locals actually come rather than tourists. Both are worth the climb. Just check the tides first.
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