About Visit Laguna Beach
Stewarding the coast, the culture, and the creative economy.
A protected California original
Rooted in art
Founded by plein-air painters nearly a century ago, Laguna still hums with creativity — more than a hundred galleries and working studios line the village and the canyon.
100+ galleries & studios
Seven miles of coast
A near-continuous stretch of protected shoreline, from Main Beach to the hidden south coves, backed by tide pools and marine-protected water.
7 miles of coastline
Wild at the edges
Trails for hiking and mountain biking thread the preserved coastal wilderness that wraps the town — canyon, ridge, and sage all the way to the sea.
Open wilderness trails
Every overnight stay gives back
Visit Laguna Beach runs the city's Tourism Marketing District — a 2% assessment on overnight stays. Half goes straight to the arts: the Laguna Art Museum, Laguna College of Art + Design, Laguna Playhouse, the Arts Commission, and cultural grants. The rest funds coastal stewardship, heritage, and the programs that keep Laguna, Laguna.
How the TMD worksA thriving coastal economy
Tourism is Laguna's quiet engine — filling shops, restaurants, and galleries, and returning millions to the city and its arts each year.
2%
Overnight assessment funding the arts and the coast
50%
Of that goes directly to Laguna's arts institutions
7 mi
Of protected, public coastline
100+
Galleries and working studios in town
Our partners
We work alongside the destination-marketing organizations that promote California and the country as places to visit.
The Visit Laguna Beach team
Meet the Visit Laguna Beach team. We're here to help you plan your visit and make the most of your time on the coast.
Joanna Bear
President & CEO
Emma York
Director of Marketing
Amber Alba
Office Manager
Board of Directors
Our board brings together representatives from lodging businesses, the City of Laguna Beach, local business owners, and independent professionals.
Chris Wylie
Chairman of the Board
Casa Loma Beach Hotel & Laguna Beach House
Karyn Philippsen, CMP
Interim Treasurer & Founding Member
K.P. Company
Mark Christy
Member
The Ranch at Laguna Beach & Hobie
Bob Whalen
Member
City of Laguna Beach
Hallie Jones
Member
City of Laguna Beach
Victorio Gonzalez
Member
Montage Laguna Beach
Ante Dapic
Member
Surf & Sand Laguna Beach
Ash Cintas
Member
Oto Sushi
AnnaSophia Servin
Member
John Wayne Airport, Orange County
Katie Cahill
Member
Laguna Surf Lodge & Seven4One
Gavin Curran
Non-Voting Advisory Member
City of Laguna Beach
Debbie MacDonald
Non-Voting Advisory Member
Board meetings are open to the public
The Board of Directors meets regularly, and every agenda and set of approved minutes is posted publicly. Browse the full record of past and upcoming meetings.
Board Meeting Agendas & Minutes