| General Overview: |
Laguna Beach is surrounded by the Laguna Coast Wildness, a wild area canyon protected by various non-profit and government organizations dedicated to preserve the wilderness. Within the wilderness area trails, the land connects to Irvine, Newport Coast, and Aliso Viejo.For this hike, we selected the Dartmoor Rd entrance to enjoy the 4 mile round-trip hike. It’s the perfect distance to enjoy the coast views and also see the back country of Boat Canyon and Emerald Bay Canyon.
The trail starts in North Laguna, approximately a 2-5 minute drive north from the Laguna Beach lifeguard tower. The first section of the trails goes up a moderate hill for approximately .25 miles and then the rest of the trail switches between short inclines and flat terrain.
Dartmoor is a popular hike with Laguna locals because it’s easily accessible, offers free parking, and provides scenic overlooks of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Laguna Beach. It’s the perfect hike for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels!
If you enjoy Laguna Beach and nature, this hike is for you! We loved the beautiful coastal views and even unique views of the downtown canyon. If you have extra time, there is a beautiful ocean overlook with two benches at the top of the first uphill climb (see map below for details).
Trail Map:
View Laguna Beach Hiking Trail – Dartmoor Hike in a larger map
Directions:
From the South Laguna Beach area:
- Take the CA-1 N
- Turn right onto Viejo St.
- Take the 1st left onto Hillcrest Dr.
- Take the 1st right onto Darmoor St.
From the North Laguna Beach area:
- Take the CA-1 S/E Pacific Coast Hwy
- Turn left onto San Joaquin St.
- Take the 1st right onto Hillcrest Dr.
- Take the 1st left onto Dartmoor St.
From San Diego:
- Take the I-5 N
- Take exit towards Beach Cities
- Merge onto CA-1 N
- Turn right onto Viejo St.
- Take the 1st left onto Hillcrest Dr.
- Take the 1st right onto Dartmoor St.
From Los Angeles:
- Take the 1-5 S
- Take the California 133 S exit toward Laguna Beach
- Merge onto CA-133 S
- Turn right onto Viejo St
- Take the 1st left onto Viejo St
- Take the 1st right onto Dartmoor St
Where to Park: Parking along the residential Dartmoor Street is free.
Total Hiking Distance: 2.0 Miles (one-way)/ 4 Miles Round-Trip
What to Bring:
- Camelbak 50 oz Hydration Pack
- Sunscreen SPF 30 (especially during the summer months)
- Trail Snacks
- Cell Phone
When to Go:
- Year-round: Dartmoor is a fun hike to enjoy year-round! Since it’s a shorter hike, it’s a fun one to enjoy during the sunset hours. If you are feeling brave, you can even try to a night hike (don’t forget the flash light!)
How it Looks:
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| Dartmoor Canyon Hiking Trail |
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| Boat Canyon overlooking Emerald Bay and Pacific Ocean |
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| Hikers enjoying the scenery |
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| Spring Flowers in Boat Canyon |
Dog Friendly:
- No, only service dogs.
Intensity Levels:
- Barry-the-Bear:
“This hike is amazing! We did the hike in the summer months and enjoyed taking Laguna’s free trolley service to North Laguna. It was easy to find Dartmoor from the highway. Although the first section of the trail was challenging, the coast views made every step worth it!”
- Larry-the-Lion: “The entire hike took us around 1.5 hours. The scenery was amazing and it wasn’t too crowded! We cooled down at the beach afterwards!”
- Chris-the-Cheetah:
“After finishing the first 2 miles, I decided to go further into Laguna Canyon and make it a 8 mile round-trip hike. There are several trails in the area that are challenging enough for any speedy cheetah!”