HOW TO COAST
Experience the coastal lifestyle and beauty of our picturesque little town through films, live music, art workshops, and more as you curate your ideal festival week using our "How to Coast" guide.
INFO + ACTIVITIES
Important Festival Info
➜ To create a smooth festival experience, 9-day pass holders must pre-register for their favorite films and activities via the pre-registration email to guarantee access. Don’t miss out on some of the festival’s most popular events! If you need assistance, please contact help@events.com.
➜ Seating at all venues is first-come, first-served.
➜9-Day Pass Holders reserved seating is available up to 15 minutes before showtime.
➜ If you have questions or want to pick up or purchase tickets or passes in person, visit our COAST Information Desk at Rivian South Coast Theater, open Nov 1st - 9th, 10 AM - 5 PM.
➜ Introducing COAST’s “Shop for Good!” An online auction loaded with goods and services generously donated by local businesses and supporters. All proceeds support the Coast Film Foundation. #GoodStuff
➜ FREE COMMUNITY EVENT!
Join us on Thursday, November 6 for Films on Forest Ave, a pop-up movie night under the stars from 5:30–9:30 PM. Enjoy live music from Jason Feddy and Party Foul, plus a curated lineup of Stoker Short Films with special guest speakers. Limited seating available—bundle up and join us for an unforgettable night on Forest Avenue!
➜ FREE ACTIVITIES!
#Getoutside by joining us for a coastal run with ROARK, move your body with a Vuori yoga class, hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation, or grab your mountain bike and join Troy Lee, and other athletes for some of the best mountain bike trails in California! Reservations are required.
EXPERIENCE LAGUNA BEACH
Throughout the week, experience more than just films. We’ve curated a range of activities that showcase the true Laguna Beach experience!
Laguna Art Museum’s Art x Nature Activation | November 1-10
An annual event celebrating the dynamic exchange between artistic expression and environmental awareness.Guided Hikes + Trail Stewardship with Laguna Canyon Foundation | November 1-9
Join Laguna Canyon Foundation for daily guided hikes, nature meditation walks, and trail stewardship experiences throughout Laguna Beach. Open to all skill levels—come learn about the local trails we all know and love, and get outside to explore! For more information and to register, visit lagunacanyon.org.Do Good Village | November 8 + 9 | Check out the schedule of events!
Discover the Do Good Village — a hub of inspiring storytellers, interactive workshops, and hands-on experiences celebrating local to global organizations driving real impact for our planet.Outdoor Activities | November 8 + 9 | Check the festival schedule for sign-ups!
#GETOUTSIDE with a lineup of activities! Move your body in a yoga session or hike with Vuori, coastal run with ROARK, or grab your mountain bike and join Troy Lee, and other athletes for some of the best mountain bike trails in California!For the best beaches, hiking, mountain biking, rooftop bars, cafes, shopping, and more, check out Visit Laguna Beach!
Rivian South Coast Theater | 162 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach
FESTIVAL VENUES
This year, we’ve expanded our festival to several locations throughout beautiful Laguna Beach. Enjoy nine days of films from around the world, including features, shorts, documentaries, animations, youth, and student films.
All of our theaters will have snacks and beverages available for purchase. Outside food or beverage is not allowed.
Please be respectful to the filmmakers and audience by silencing your phones upon entrance and limiting coming and going once the films have begun.
Festival of Arts
650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach
Forum Theater @ Festival of Arts
650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center
235 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach
Hobie Surf Shop
294 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach
Photo credit: Mary Hurlbut @lagunabeachphotographer
PARKING + TRANSPORTATION
Coast Film and Music Festival theaters and venues are located Downtown and are all within about a 10-minute walk from each other. Lots of paid parking can be found, or take a ride on the FREE Laguna Beach Trolley! Find the live trolley schedule HERE.
All day, paid parking lots near venues:
Lot 10 - Laguna Canyon Rd lot - $4 all day
Lot 11 - Forest/Laguna Canyon lot - $4 all day
3-Hour limit, free after 7pm paid parking:
Lots 1-5 - Broadway, Peppertree, Ocean Avenue A + B, and Mermaid lots
Check out City of Laguna Beach’s trolley and parking lot map.
Artwork by: Sli Dawg
SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
At Coast Film & Music Festival, it is a priority for us to make our events as earth-friendly as possible.
WASTE: We have partnered with CR&R to have marked receptacles available across venues for compost, recycle, and landfill. This waste will be taken to respective compost and recycling facilities to ensure as much as possible is diverted from landfills.
NO SINGLE-USE: Bring your reusable water bottle and utilize the free water refill stations throughout the venues. All of our vendors will be serving food on compostable service ware with compostable utensils — no single use plastic! All cups are aluminum (with a fun Coast logo!) to ensure they can be recycled and reused next year.
BIKE OR CARPOOL: To reduce transportation emissions, we encourage guests to bike or take the local trolley instead of driving — there are plenty of bike racks close to the venues and easy trolley access available. If driving is your only option, please carpool!
While there is always more to do, these efforts reflect our commitment to protecting the environment while celebrating the stories that inspire us to care for it.
RIVIAN DEMO DRIVES
Schedule your Rivian demo drive today. Discover electric trucks and SUVs crafted with the performance, handling, and capability for wherever your journey takes you. Take a demo drive and receive a 25% discount for a Festival of Arts Single Event ticket, valid Nov 7-9. *Discounted ticket does not provide access to Irvine Bowl.
The test drives will be held Friday, November 7 - Sunday, November 9 from 10 AM to 4:30 PM at Festival of Arts.
LOCAL FOOD + BEVERAGE PARTNERS
Huge thank you to our local food + beverage partners for offering delicious options to our festival-goers throughout the festival. Check out their locations on your quiet festival days!
Ahba: Craft beer, cocktails, and natural wine served alongside gourmet comfort food in a cozy indoor/outdoor space. *We confirm, best burger in town! Available at Festival of Arts, November 7-9.
Wahoos: Best quick bite on the west coast. Fresh and delicious Mexican food with an Asian & Brazilian twist. Available at Festival of Arts, November 7-9.
The Cove by Starfish: Our new culinary point of view featuring Asian coastal offerings. Available at Festival of Arts, November 7-9.
Bianchi Laguna Beach Tasting Room: Elevated boutique wine tasting experience. Official wine sponsor and will provide tastings throughout the festival!
Jedidiah Coffee: Keeping us caffeinated throughout the festival! Family owned + operated ♡
Laguna Beer Co: Award-winning, Independent Craft Beer Brewed for the Beach! Providing custom CFMF beer cans at all bar locations + hosting our after parties November 7+8!
LODGING PARTNERS
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious resort, a sustainable boutique hotel, or a cozy beachfront rental, Laguna Beach has accommodations to suit every traveler’s style. Our lodging partners have offered our festival goers a discounted rate! Book Now!
VISIT LAGUNA BEACH RESPONSIBLY
Make the most out of your festival experience by checking out Visit Laguna Beach for the best restaurants and activities in town. While you’re here, we ask you to respect the local community by following the "Leave No Trace" principle, using reusable items, and opting for eco-friendly transportation. Littering, smoking, or drinking alcohol on City beaches, parks, and trails is NOT permitted. Help us keep Laguna Beach beautiful —together, we can preserve this special place for everyone to enjoy.