If you’re planning a trip to Laguna Beach, California, you may want to find the easiest or quickest way to get there. Flying is usually the quickest way, and finding the nearest airport to your destination is the best place to start.
Orange County John Wayne Airport is the closest airport to Laguna Beach. There are other airports near Laguna Beach.
The following airports are within 100 miles of Laguna Beach if you want to rent a car and drive.
Orange County John Wayne Airport
The Orange Country John Wayne Airport is around 15 miles from Laguna Beach. It is also around 4.8 miles south of Santa Ana and 3.8 miles northeast of Costa Mesa. The IATA airport code for this airport is SNA.
The Orange County John Wayne Airport also offers free WiFi, water refilling stations in all three terminals, and a Nursing Mother’s Lounge. There are USB charging stations available through the Thomas F. Riley Terminal, as well as ATMs available in every terminal.
There are various restaurants and dining options available in the Thomas F. Riley terminal, as well as several shops. There is also a public art collection to enjoy, live music, rotating exhibits, and trained therapy dogs!
Regarding transportation from the airport to Laguna Beach, Route 76 of the Orange County Transportation Authority has a bus stop in Terminal B. The nearest train stations are around 10 miles from the airport in Irvine, Santa Ana, and Tustin. You can also use taxis or rideshare apps to get to and from the Orange County John Wayne Airport.
Long Beach Airport
The Long Beach Airport is about 33.8 miles from Laguna Beach. This makes it the second closest airport to Laguna Beach. It is also around 4.1 miles northeast of Long Beach. The IATA airport code for this airport is LBG.
There are 4 airlines that fly to 17 nonstop destinations out of the Long Beach Airport. The North and South Concourses both boast a variety of shops and dining options for travelers.
For transportation from the Long Beach Airport to Laguna Beach, there are car rental services available, as well as taxis. The closest Metro Rail station is the Wardlow Station which provides service between Downtown LA and the Long Beach transit buses. You can also catch the Long Beach Transit from the Long Beach Airport. It’s also possible to use rideshare apps such as Lyft or Uber.
McClellan-Palomar Airport
The McClellan-Palomar Airport is about 51.2 miles from Laguna Beach. This makes it the third nearest airport to Laguna Beach. The IATA airport code for this airport is CLD.
This airport is located in Carlsbad, not far from San Diego’s North County. Oceanside Harbor is not far from this airport, providing a variety of dining and shopping establishments as well as yachts and fishing boats.
There are beautiful beaches a short drive from the airport as well. Legoland is also only two miles west of this airport if you want to include it in your trip.
Car Rental services from Hertz and Avis are available at this airport. There are also taxi and shuttle services available from the airport to Laguna Beach.
LA/Ontario International Airport
The LA/Ontario International Airport is 51.6 miles from Laguna Beach. The IATA airport code for this airport is ONT.
There is a wide selection of dining and shopping options available in Terminals 2 and 4. There are 16 hydration stations where you can refill your water bottle.
There are also single-occupancy nursing rooms in Terminals 2 and 4 for nursing mothers. If you’re traveling with your pet, there are indoor and outdoor pet relief areas available.
Getting to Laguna Beach from here won’t be a hassle at all. There are several rental car options in the Rental Car Center, as well as a free shuttle ride from the terminal to the center. There is also the option of taking a rideshare, using a taxing, or renting a limo at the airport.
Many hotels close by have a partnership with this airport to offer guests shuttles to their accommodations. There is also a large number of bus and rail providers available from the airport.
Los Angeles International Airport
The Los Angeles International Airport is around 54 miles from Laguna Beach. The IATA airport code for this airport is LAX.
There are nursing stations in every terminal, as well as a first aid station. There are pet relief stations inside and outside. A Pets Unstressing Passengers program (PUP) allows passengers to cuddle and play with registered therapy dogs. There are a number of restaurants and dining options that offer delivery to the gate.
To help you get to Laguna Beach, Los Angeles International Airport offers a FlyAway nonstop bus service that takes passengers between the airport, Union Station, and Van Nuys.
There are a variety of Taxi companies, rental car companies, and rideshare apps that operate from the Los Angeles International Airport. There are also several public transit providers available from the Los Angeles International Airport.
San Diego International Airport
The San Diego International Airport is 78 miles from Laguna Beach. The IATA airport code for this airport is SAN.
The airport offers free WiFi for all travelers, there are ATMs available in three different locations, and there are courtesy phones throughout the terminals.
There are three lactation rooms available in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Each room has children’s seating, electrical outlets, and a hand washing station.
Getting to Laguna Beach from this airport will be a breeze. There are courtesy shuttles from any terminal to the car rental center, where several car rental companies are available.
You can also rely on taxis or rideshare apps to get you there. Public transit is also available to and from the airport via bus or trolley through the shuttle service.
FAQs
Is Laguna Beach closer to San Diego or Los Angeles?
Laguna Beach is closer to Los Angeles. Laguna Beach is 40 miles away from Los Angeles and 70 miles away from San Diego.
Do you need a car in Laguna Beach?
Laguna Beach is pedestrian-friendly, so you should able to get around on foot. You can also use public transit like the trolley.
More about our TFVG Author
A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.
Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.