About Laguna Beach, California

Laguna Beach is a historic artist-rooted coastal city in Orange County midway between Los Angeles and San Diego.

A Protected California Original

Over millennia, time has crafted Laguna’s renowned beaches, coves and canyons into one of California’s most magnetic coastlines. One visit and you with see the small, passionate community that has worked to keep thriving for future generations.

Born by artists nearly a century ago, Laguna still hums with creativity. With more than 100 galleries and studios, seven miles of protected coastline, hiking and mountain-biking trails through miles of preserved coastal wilderness, and more beachfront lodging than anywhere else in California. It’s easy to see why people from around the globe visit our unique destination.

How Visitors Support the Arts and the City by Staying Overnight

Visitors who stay overnight in Laguna Beach play an important role to the arts in Laguna Beach. Through the Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District (TMD), visitors pay a 2% fee that is added to their hotel stay or vacation rental.

Half of that 2% directly supports the arts in Laguna Beach including the Laguna Art Museum, Laguna College of Art + Design, Laguna Playhouse, Arts Commission projects, and Cultural Arts grants.

The other half of that 2% is used to attract overnight and group guests, and to steward and strengthen our three pillars of stewardship: our environment, our culture, and our heritage.

In addition to the 2% fee, visitors also pay a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). In Laguna Beach that tax is 12% of the room fee, of which 100% goes into the City of Laguna Beach’s general fund that helps pay for city services including public safety, parks, streets, and services that residents and visitors both benefit from.

Overnight visitors to Laguna Beach hotels, resorts and vacation rentals generated more than $15.4 million in revenues for the City of Laguna Beach. Of that amount, $2 million was related to Measure LL, a 2% tax that was voted on and approved by the residents of Laguna Beach in 2016.

Laguna Beach’s Thriving Economy:
Attracting Millions and Boosting Revenue

Attracting visitors to the community is economic development, and, over six million annual visitors chose Laguna Beach to spend their time and money. Total direct visitor spending totaled $556.6 million, and equally important, was the $17.8 million visitor-generated local taxes for the local government.