Beaches - The DIS Discussion Forums

PA DisneyFan · 02-15-2013, 12:05 AM

We are planning our first DL trip in May. This is our first trip to the west coast so we'd like to check out a beach while we are there. Gotta try and dip our toes in the Pacific

It will be me, DH, and DD (2.5 years old). We will not have a car.
1) Whats the best way to get to a beach?
2) Which beach is best for a family?
3) Which beach has the most 'California' feel (like what we see in movies

)

Thanks!

Disney Dreams · 02-15-2013, 12:26 AM

There are several beaches in the general OC area. The top that I would suggest are Seal Beach, Sunset Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach. It's probably about 20 minutes via car depending on which beach and traffic. You could run a search for bus routes or take a taxi.

HTH,
Dreams

profa · 02-15-2013, 01:00 AM

We went to Laguna Beach. There was hardware store right close to the boardwalk and we picked up some sand toys. Even though we drove we didn't pack that stuff. I think most of the beaches were about 45 min. H untington and Laguna seemed to be mostly a straight shot.
I guess if you want the movie feel you can't go wrong w/ Laguna since there was a tv show named after it

CaptainEIEIO · 02-15-2013, 07:23 AM

Huntington Beach is the one we always go to. Its just straight up Beach Blvd and has a pier too and you can watch the surfers better from the pier. Parking is reasonably priced also, and is right on top of the beach.

HydroGuy · 02-15-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA DisneyFan

We are planning our first DL trip in May. This is our first trip to the west coast so we'd like to check out a beach while we are there. Gotta try and dip our toes in the Pacific

It will be me, DH, and DD (2.5 years old). We will not have a car.
1) Whats the best way to get to a beach?
2) Which beach is best for a family?
3) Which beach has the most 'California' feel (like what we see in movies

)

Thanks!

Many easterners who watch Hollywood shows of the California beaches are unaware that the water is typically very cold. The beaches can be nice to visit and walk along. You really do not want to go in the water until June up thru September. Sure you can wade around in May or other months. Just sayin' expect cold water. Like 60 degrees cold in May. Maybe a bit less. You can probably check some data somewhere on this.

ajwilmoth · 02-15-2013, 08:23 AM

We are going to Santa Monica just because the amusement park in the pier is so known. Then we are going to try to get to Laguna beach just because it is beautiful.

KCmike · 02-15-2013, 10:45 AM

My pick is Newport Beach/Corona Del Mar. It's about 30 min or so away but ideal for wading and seeing the perfect crescent shaped beach. Newport and CDM are separated by a jetty so you can't walk from one to the other. Newport has a pier and CDM is the perfect swimming/wading area. CDM also has big homes up on the cliffs that overlook the ocean. Laguna is beautiful but further down the the PCH.

Newport has a concrete boardwalk where you can get greasy foods, there's a Ruby's diner at the end of the pier, and you can take smaller cruises from there. There are some smaller boats that do sunset cruises and harbor cruises. We did the 60 min harbor and sunset cruise one year and it was amazing. The cost was something like $15 per person. They took us around the harbor showing us famous million dollar homes and then out onto the Pacific to see the sunset over the coastline.

I definitely recommend Corona Del Mar for dipping your toes in.

Corona Del Mar Beach by KC MikeD, on Flickr

Corona Del Mar from the Cliff by KC MikeD, on Flickr

Newport Pier by KC MikeD, on Flickr

Newport Beach by KC MikeD, on Flickr

If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Like Hyrdoguy stated the Pacific is cold (60 degrees or so) but it is breathtakingly beautiful and blue. If you ever find the time you should drive from LAX to Monterey up the PCH/HWY 1.

wiigirl · 02-15-2013, 11:00 AM

Beautiful pictures...

PA DisneyFan · 02-15-2013, 11:06 AM

Thank you all for the replies and beautiful photos!

From doing some research, I'm pretty sure we are between Newport or Laguna Beach. Could we take a taxi from Paradise Pier to one of those beaches? Is there a flat rate or would taking a taxi be really expensive?

I also came across the OC Beach Bus Tour. Sounds pretty great as it goes to Huntington, Newport, and Laguna beaches. Any experiences with this tour? Also, is my 2.5 year old allowed on without us having a carseat--do they provide something?

One more question: If we go to Newport Beach, could we walk over to Corona del Mar?

Thank you!!!

KCmike · 02-15-2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA DisneyFan

Thank you all for the replies and beautiful photos!

From doing some research, I'm pretty sure we are between Newport or Laguna Beach. Could we take a taxi from Paradise Pier to one of those beaches? Is there a flat rate or would taking a taxi be really expensive?

I also came across the OC Beach Bus Tour. Sounds pretty great as it goes to Huntington, Newport, and Laguna beaches. Any experiences with this tour? Also, is my 2.5 year old allowed on without us having a carseat--do they provide something?

One more question: If we go to Newport Beach, could we walk over to Corona del Mar?

Thank you!!!

I don't believe you can walk from Newport to Corona Del Mar. There is a rental car service at Downtown Disney (Alamo) which is located over by EArl of Sandwich and Disneyland Hotel. You could take the car out just for the day if you wanted.

I've heard of the tour but never have done it.

Good luck with your decisions!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiigirl

Beautiful pictures...

Thank you very the kind words!

02-15-2013, 12:05 AM	#1
PA DisneyFan Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: PA Posts: 67	Beaches We are planning our first DL trip in May. This is our first trip to the west coast so we'd like to check out a beach while we are there. Gotta try and dip our toes in the Pacific It will be me, DH, and DD (2.5 years old). We will not have a car. 1) Whats the best way to get to a beach? 2) Which beach is best for a family? 3) Which beach has the most 'California' feel (like what we see in movies ) Thanks! __________________ Sailed: Celebrity Millenium to ALASKA (cruise and land tour) June 27, 2008 Disney Magic 7-night Western Caribbean January 24, 2009 Disney Magic 7-night Eastern Caribbean February 27, 2010 Disney Trips: Pop Century - 2006/2010 *All-Star Movies - 2007 (DH) + (DW) = (DD)

02-15-2013, 12:26 AM	#2
Disney Dreams Proudly afflicted with TDMA! Major pin collector in denial Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Somewhere this side of the rainbow Posts: 15,119	There are several beaches in the general OC area. The top that I would suggest are Seal Beach, Sunset Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach. It's probably about 20 minutes via car depending on which beach and traffic. You could run a search for bus routes or take a taxi. HTH, Dreams __________________ Uh-oh! What did we do?!?! OMG, we did it!

02-15-2013, 07:23 AM	#4
CaptainEIEIO Even if you choose not to decide you still have made a choice! Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 304	Huntington Beach is the one we always go to. Its just straight up Beach Blvd and has a pier too and you can watch the surfers better from the pier. Parking is reasonably priced also, and is right on top of the beach. __________________ I cant even begin to count the times I was constantly their since my first visit in 1962, then I moved to Alaska in 1970 and lost contact until....DL 1982, DL 1985, DL 1988, DL 1990, DL 1994, DL 1997, DL 1999 , DL 2004, DL 2005, DL 2007, WDW 2009 (Pop), DL 2012, WDW UPCOMING IN JAN 2014. Me DW

02-15-2013, 10:45 AM	#7
KCmike Never have fallen asleep on any attraction Nothing wrong for dreaming for sure Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kansas City Posts: 7,668	My pick is Newport Beach/Corona Del Mar. It's about 30 min or so away but ideal for wading and seeing the perfect crescent shaped beach. Newport and CDM are separated by a jetty so you can't walk from one to the other. Newport has a pier and CDM is the perfect swimming/wading area. CDM also has big homes up on the cliffs that overlook the ocean. Laguna is beautiful but further down the the PCH. Newport has a concrete boardwalk where you can get greasy foods, there's a Ruby's diner at the end of the pier, and you can take smaller cruises from there. There are some smaller boats that do sunset cruises and harbor cruises. We did the 60 min harbor and sunset cruise one year and it was amazing. The cost was something like $15 per person. They took us around the harbor showing us famous million dollar homes and then out onto the Pacific to see the sunset over the coastline. I definitely recommend Corona Del Mar for dipping your toes in. Corona Del Mar Beach by KC MikeD, on Flickr Corona Del Mar from the Cliff by KC MikeD, on Flickr Newport Pier by KC MikeD, on Flickr Newport Beach by KC MikeD, on Flickr If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Like Hyrdoguy stated the Pacific is cold (60 degrees or so) but it is breathtakingly beautiful and blue. If you ever find the time you should drive from LAX to Monterey up the PCH/HWY 1. __________________ "WDW Vet Who Found His New Home in Disneyland" 2013 Disneyland Christmas 2013 Plan to go in May to WDW, Universal, and SeaWorld with the kids and their High School Marching Band Event 2012 Back to Disneyland for a late June/Early July Vacation\|2011- WDW Grand Floridian/Port Orleans Riverside \|2010 - Disneyland/Monterey 20th Anniversary Day trip and 1st time to see Christmas at any park (BWPPI) 2010 - Disneyland (Grand Californian) \|2009 - Disneyland/San Francisco/Monterey/ Yosemite National Park (Disneyland Hotel) \|2008 - Disneyland/San Diego (Hotel Del Coronado & Hojo) \|2007 - Disneyland (Fairfield Inn) \|2006 - WDW - Port Orleans Riverside \|2004 - WDW - Port Orleans Riverside \|1996 - WDW - Dixie Landings \|1993 - WDW - Offsite \|1992 - WDW - Condo in Kissimmee \|1990 - WDW - Condo in Kissimmee Gear:Canon 60d, Canon xti, and a few lenses

02-15-2013, 11:00 AM	#8
wiigirl DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 4,537	Beautiful pictures... __________________

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02-15-2013, 01:00 AM	#3
profa Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 360	We went to Laguna Beach. There was hardware store right close to the boardwalk and we picked up some sand toys. Even though we drove we didn't pack that stuff. I think most of the beaches were about 45 min. H untington and Laguna seemed to be mostly a straight shot. I guess if you want the movie feel you can't go wrong w/ Laguna since there was a tv show named after it

02-15-2013, 08:23 AM	#6
ajwilmoth Earning My Ears Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 32	We are going to Santa Monica just because the amusement park in the pier is so known. Then we are going to try to get to Laguna beach just because it is beautiful.

02-15-2013, 11:06 AM	#9
PA DisneyFan Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: PA Posts: 67	Thank you all for the replies and beautiful photos! From doing some research, I'm pretty sure we are between Newport or Laguna Beach. Could we take a taxi from Paradise Pier to one of those beaches? Is there a flat rate or would taking a taxi be really expensive? I also came across the OC Beach Bus Tour. Sounds pretty great as it goes to Huntington, Newport, and Laguna beaches. Any experiences with this tour? Also, is my 2.5 year old allowed on without us having a carseat--do they provide something? One more question: If we go to Newport Beach, could we walk over to Corona del Mar? Thank you!!! __________________ Sailed: Celebrity Millenium to ALASKA (cruise and land tour) June 27, 2008 Disney Magic 7-night Western Caribbean January 24, 2009 Disney Magic 7-night Eastern Caribbean February 27, 2010 Disney Trips: Pop Century - 2006/2010 *All-Star Movies - 2007 (DH) + (DW) = (DD)

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