A historic oceanfront hotel in Laguna Beach is under fire for setting up a private area for its guests. In violation of a California law ensuring public beach access, the upscale property faces a fine of up to $11,250 per day, according to the state.
Hotel Laguna claims to be first hotel located on the famous Orange County beach, set along the Pacific Coast Highway, for over 125 years, according to its website. It also has a several years-long history of breaking the law set by the California Coastal Act, which manages conservation and the development of coastal resources while also providing “maximum public access to the coast,” according to the California Coastal Commission.
Most recently, the hotel has built a “berm” on the sand outside of its property line with umbrellas, beach chairs and signage, according to a letter shared with USA TODAY that was sent to the property by the commission last week.
Such unpermitted developments “unlawfully discourage public access to public trust lands” by giving the impression that the beach is private, the letter continued. While private ownership on the shoreline is legal, the state owns all beaches “waterward of the mean high tide line.”
Feuds over ensuring access to public beaches are nothing new to California, with various battles hitting the sands of California’s coast from San Diego to Malibu to Half Moon Bay. California’s beaches are publicly owned on the water side of the high tide line. However, many communities have made it hard over the years for people to reach the coastline.
On social media, people have posted TikToks of the hotel’s employees allegedly threatening them if they don’t leave. Others have left scathing comments on the hotel’s Instagram posts, saying, “shame on you” and that it’s “stealing” the beach.
The government agency is requesting the hotel promptly remove these unpermitted developments but, due to a history of similar violations, is also considering “formal enforcement.”
In 2024, the commission received reports that people walking along the water’s edge were being told they were trespassing private property, when it’s lawfully state land. The hotel had also set up a barrier for a volleyball net, poles and other “other equipment that discourages public access.”
The hotel has until May 23 to provide photographic evidence that the berm and other beach equipment have been removed.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Upscale Laguna Beach hotel under fire for violating coastal access law
