I have been to the LA area a few times. great museums, decent beaches. And horrible streets that are very dirty with garbage and traffic and angry people all around. LAX is also in its own tier as the worst airport I've ever been to and it gets worse every year.
The Uber drivers all tell tales about how they left their old life behind to come and breathe fumes all day in the scorching sun which apparently is how paradise feels like.
Laguna Beach is OK for a short trip. Fly into SNA, hit some beaches, hikes, restaurants, and go home. you can walk mostly everywhere or there is a free public bus that takes you up and down the coast.
Or, you can rent a car and stay in the city and see the local points of interest in LA. you can drive 45 minutes in each direction to park your rental car at a strip mall and eat strip mall food like the locals do.