Description
General Information
The Laguna Beach Community and Recreation Center is located on top of a modest hill just off Pacific Coast Highway with clear ocean views. The official address is 30516 Coast Highway, however, it’s actually on Terry Rd, a street nearby that runs parallel to the highway. As a result, it’s recommended to use coordinates instead of the address to get there (see google map below). Although not visible when visiting, Aliso & Wood Canyon Wilderness Park’s south end is located right behind it.
The center previously was a private school called the St. Catherine of Siena School. The school sold the grounds to the city December of 2022 after experiencing multi-year declining enrollment. This center has been open since April of 2023.
Primary Indoor Features
One of the center’s primary features is a chapel, which has great views of the ocean through a large half-moon window and additional views from its side patio. Another primary feature is the gym. Although it doesn’t have scenic views while inside, the city regularly offers:
- Drop-in pickleball
- Basketball
Check their website for further details on specific days and times.
Outdoor Recreation
For outdoor recreation, there are several amenities, all with views of the ocean:
- Basketball court (converts into a skate park with wooden ramps most days of the week)
- Soccer field (please note that as of this writing, the field doesn’t seem to be open to the public yet)
- Small playground
- Sheltered picnic tables
Ongoing Work
The city will be adding more amenities to the center in the near future, such as:
- Additional parking
- Possibly an art studio or fitness center
Fee if wanting to reserve
The chapel can be reserved for wedding ceremonies and other special events. No rates are publicly available. Interested parties should call the center for more information.
