Laguna Beach is a unique California coastal town known for its artists' community as well as a series of more than two dozen beaches and coves accessible only by stairs that descend from rocky cliffs. Blow holes, tide pools, submerged shipwrecks and sea mammals are just some of the wonders that await the visitors. Amazingly, there are still some cheap places to stay in this beautiful beach community.
Starting at $79 (in 2010) for a standard room without a view, the Laguna Eco Inn is, as its name implies, an environmentally friendly motel with all the necessary fittings for a comfortable stay: hairdryer, cable TV, VCR, WiFi and an outdoor pool. Situated on the beach side of Pacific Coast Highway, Eco is a mile from downtown Laguna and only a few yards from the sand. All rooms have down pillows and feathertop beds; higher-priced suites have flat screen TVs, refrigerators, and balconies with ocean views and kitchenettes. Complimentary coffee and continental breakfast is served in the lobby each morning. AAA and AARP rates are significantly lower than rack rates, and there is no charge for parking.
Laguna Eco Inn
1661 S. Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-1031
lagunaecoinn.com
Laguna Beach is an upscale town, and there are far more fancy and expensive places to stay than there are cheap ones. The Tides, located three blocks north of lively Main Beach in downtown Laguna, is a nice compromise, with 21 tastefully decorated rooms as well as The Plate Room, which is lined with plates from every state and parts of Europe. This pet friendly establishment has a salt water pool, an outdoor fireplace and WiFi. Rates as of 2010 began at $99 through the end of June and are slightly higher during the peak of summer.
The Tides
460 N. Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, Ca 92651
(949) 494-2494
tideslaguna.com
Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach is home to many seals and sea lions and this little motel offers a close vantage point. The bay is also popular for surfing, rock fishing, body surfing, skim boarding, skin diving, scuba diving and volleyball. The Crescent Bay Inn's rooms are very small and anything but fancy, but the 2010 rates started at $79, with an ocean view room going for $105 and prices slightly higher during the peak of summer. There are also cheaper weekly rates and AAA discounts. The motel is on the beach side of Pacific Coast Highway and a mile from downtown Laguna shops and art galleries.
Crescent Bay Inn
1435 North Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-1318
(949) 494-2508
crescentbayinn.com
