Secluded Royale

Hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

Woman hiking down the stairs to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach. From the parking area, start on the Seaview Park Overlook Trail and hike to Aliso Peak Trail all the way to Valido Trail. The section from Aliso to Valido is steep, descending via a narrow singletrack, where eventually the trees part to reveal views of the Pacific Ocean and Laguna Beach.

Hikers going down stairs on a trail towards Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

Hiker going down stairs towards Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

Hikers going down to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

Hike to a junction of multiple trails and take Valido Trail down sections of stairs until it ends at Valido Street, where you’ll head south until it dead-ends on West Street. Keep going west until you can cross the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) at a crosswalk and head for the long stairway just north of the intersection.

Hikers head down Valido trail towards Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

Woman standing at a turquoise beach cove at Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

Hiker going down stairs surrounded by trees enroute to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

The stairs lead to Coast Royale Beach. Views are mostly obstructed for the majority of the stairway descent, but once you make the final left turn, all the trees and buildings disappear, revealing a beach that feels reminiscent of Hawaii. The sparkling turquoise water and unique rock formations with tidepools make this beach a true hidden paradise (and an ideal place to relax weary legs before beginning the trek back).

Beach goers on the sand by the water at Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

Enjoy! Then return the way you came, taking frequent pauses to take in the view behind you and feel the ocean breeze. 

Hiker going up the trail overlooking the ocean at Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park in Orange County

The trailhead is located in Laguna Niguel at Seaview Park within Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Park is open from 7 a.m. to sunset. Trail may be closed for three days or more following rain. Free street parking available. From June 15 to September 10, no dogs allowed on the beach between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Dogs must remain on leash at all times on the beach. Trail is dog friendly!

Story and photos by Natalie Bates, @wanderwithnatalie

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View