Finding a spot in Laguna Beach on a Saturday in July is basically the final boss of Southern California driving. You’re circling PCH, the sun is glaring off the Pacific, and every single lot looks like a packed sardine can. Honestly, it’s enough to make you want to just turn around and go back to Irvine. But there is a tool that’s supposed to fix this, and most people aren't using it right.
The Laguna Beach parking app—officially developed by Frogparking—is kind of a lifesaver, but it’s also a bit of a localized secret. It’s not just a digital wallet to pay for your meter. If you’re just using it to tap "pay," you’re missing the actual point of having it on your phone.
Why you need to check the map before you arrive
Most of us wait until we’ve found a spot to pull out our phones. That’s a mistake. The real power of the Laguna Beach parking app is the live sensor data. Laguna Beach has actually embedded sensors in a huge chunk of their street spots and city lots.
This means the app shows you—in real-time—which blocks are full and which have openings.
You’ve probably seen those little grey pucks in the middle of the parking spaces. Those are the sensors. They talk to the app. Instead of blindly driving toward Main Beach (which is always a disaster), you can look at the app’s map while you’re still coming down Laguna Canyon Road. If the downtown core is glowing red, you head straight for the periphery.
It’s way less stressful. You’ll save 20 minutes of idling just by looking at the color-coded map before you hit the "Y" at the bottom of the canyon.
Managing your session without the "meter run"
We’ve all been there: you’re halfway through a great lunch at The Deck, and you realize your meter is about to expire. In the old days, you’d have to apologize to your date, sprint three blocks uphill, and hope the meter maid isn’t already writing a $50 ticket.
With the Laguna Beach parking app, you just hit "Extend."
There’s a catch, though. You can only extend up to the maximum time allowed for that specific zone. Most downtown meters have a 3-hour limit. If you’ve already stayed for three hours, the app won't let you add more time. The City of Laguna Beach is pretty strict about this—they want "turnover" so other tourists get a chance to shop.
If the app says you’re maxed out, you actually have to move the car. People try to "re-feed" the meter from the app thinking they’re being sneaky, but the sensors know if the car hasn’t moved. Don't risk it.
The Aliso Beach and Lot 22 situation
Things changed recently with how the city handles the south end of town. As of early 2026, the City of Laguna Beach fully manages the Aliso Beach parking lots (Lot 22). If you’re an OC local used to using your OC Parks pass there, stop. Those passes aren't valid anymore.
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You have to use the Laguna Beach parking app or the on-site pay stations.
The rate is usually around $2.50 per hour, which is actually pretty fair for beach-side parking in California. One cool thing is that the app stores your license plate. Once you set up your profile, paying for Aliso Beach takes about five seconds. No more digging for quarters in the center console or waiting behind a tourist who can't figure out the credit card slot on the machine.
Technical quirks you should know about
Look, no app is perfect. The Frogparking interface can be a little clunky if you’re used to something slick like Apple Pay (though they did finally add Apple Pay support).
Connection Dead Zones
Laguna Beach is famous for its "canyons and coves," which is code for "terrible cell service." If you’re parking in a lower-level structure or deep in a canyon lot, the app might spin its wheels.
- Pro Tip: Try to start your session as soon as you step out of the car and get a clear line of sight to the sky.
- Plate Numbers: Double-check your license plate entry. The enforcement officers use plate readers. If you're off by one digit, you're getting a ticket even if you paid.
The "No Signal" Backup
If the app fails you, the city still has QR codes on most meters. You can do a "One-Time Payment" via a web browser without even having the app installed. It’s a solid Plan B if your phone is low on storage or the app is acting up.
Beyond the app: The Trolley trick
Even with the best Laguna Beach parking app strategy, some days are just too crowded. This is where you pivot.
The city runs the Laguna Beach Trolley, and it’s free. If the app shows that every single downtown lot is 100% full, don't even go down there. Instead, look for the "remote" lots like ACT V on Laguna Canyon Road or the Summer Breeze lot.
You can park there—often for a lower daily rate or even free during special events—and then use the other app, the Laguna Beach Trolley tracker (sometimes integrated or through TransLoc), to see when the next shuttle is coming.
Actionable steps for your next visit
To make your trip actually enjoyable, do these three things:
- Download and Profile: Download the Laguna Beach parking app (Frogparking) before you leave your house. Put in your credit card and license plate while you have stable Wi-Fi.
- The 10-Minute Warning: Check the live map in the app about 10 minutes before you arrive. If the downtown lots (Lots 1-12) are red, head straight for the Forest/Laguna Canyon lots.
- Set an Alarm: The app sends notifications when your time is low, but cell service is spotty. Set a manual timer on your watch or phone for 15 minutes before your parking expires so you have time to walk back or extend the session.
Parking in a world-class beach town will never be "easy," but using the tech available makes it a lot less of a gamble. Stick to the lots the app says are open, keep an eye on your time, and you'll spend more time in the water and less time hunting for a 20-foot slice of asphalt.