Like a grand sandcastle, this Spanish-style hotel sits just steps from the secluded Cress Street Beach, a short walk from Oak Street Beach and a quick ride from the bustling Main Beach. Enjoy some of the best seaside views in the neighborhood from the hotel rooftop lounge, while sipping on a fresh fruit mojito. Stay in one of the quirky surf-themed rooms complete with boards on the walls and shots of wave-riding pros.

Perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, the Inn at Laguna Beach offers direct access to the golden sands of Main Beach. From the moment you step into this hotel, you’ll get swept away by the hip, laidback atmosphere. Sunlight-filled rooms feature minimalist light wood furnishings, ’60s striped scatter cushions, boarded shutters and wicker balcony seats so you can sit back and admire the views. The pool and sundeck also face the ocean, with mature palm trees forming a tropical backdrop.

Plonked right on 500ft (152m) of pristine Laguna Beach, this palatial hotel offers guests an upscale seaside sojourn. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to ocean views at this spot, with the rooms, suites, restaurants, pool and spa forming a maze of memorable vistas. There are also two wedding terraces decked with glass panels to offer an uninterrupted view of the waves beyond. Alternatively, couples can tie the knot in true Californian style with a barefoot ceremony on the beach.

Talk about a dramatic location. This expansive luxury hotel sits on a bluff above the Pacific, with white sands and craggy coves making an attractive mix. Lush gardens frame zigzagged walkways that lead down to the shores. If you prefer a less active ocean adventure, you can sit on your balcony and soak up sea air or relax by one of the Pacific-facing swimming pools. The restaurants also offer sublime views, with artfully prepared seafood dishes.

Seek out the secret staircase at this enchanting property to gain access to the shores of Agate Street Beach. Sandstone cliffs and giant rocks on the shoreline give this pristine stretch of sand a dramatic edge. After a day hitting the beach, wind your way back up the stairs to the comfortable confines of your hotel. This boutique inn is the perfect place to relax, with a French cottage feel and a romantic pergola in the manicured garden.

Feast your eyes on the dreamy ocean views at this characterful Spanish and Moroccan-inspired boutique hotel. You’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from this jewel box of a place, with colorful Catalina ceramics, patterned fabrics and all the modern conveniences of the 21st century. But the local beach and surrounding area are well worth a visit, and if you venture further south along the shoreline you’ll discover the most famous sea cave in Laguna Beach.

Feel like a VIP with at this upscale hotel, with stays bagging you access to your very own private beach club. The grand Tuscan-style property sits on a 175-acre (71ha) site, with landscaped gardens, pristine lawns and an 18-hole golf course overlooking the golden sands below. Grab a free shuttle and head to the beach for morning yoga on the shoreline before grabbing a sun lounger and refueling with delicious Californian fare. Spend the afternoon hitting the water with surf and paddleboards.

Live like a local at this well-appointed beachside hotel, which offers all the conveniences of home. There are 14 tiled studios, complete with kitchens, fireplaces and comfy Tempur-Pedic mattresses. Don’t get too comfortable though, as a stretch of pristine beach is all yours to explore, just a short stroll away. If you’re a diver, there is a wreck just off Cleo Street Beach which is well worth exploring. The waters here also fall within the Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve.

Whisk together the French Riviera, Mediterranean and Laguna Beach and, voilà, you’ve got this beachside hotel in one. The family-owned property was built in 1948 and the renovated rooms still exude that historic character, with plantation shutters and ceiling fans. Murals from a local artist adorn the building and you can explore more of the artistic offerings with dozens of galleries and museums just a short stroll away.