We are taking our first trip to DLR the first week of June.
We have saved one day for visiting a beach - we're from KS and want the kids to see the ocean!
What beaches are nearby and fun for tourists?
I would say that Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Crystal Cove are all good options. Huntington is more of your typical "SoCal" beach experience, with the pier, the main drag, surf rentals etc. They have a street fair every Tuesday as well. Parking is easy and convenient, there's parking structure, several lots, and metered streets. Be courteous and don't park in front of private homes.
Newport is a bit more low key, I second the suggestion of Big Corona Beach... it's one of my favorites! Especially great if you have little kids, as the beach is a fairly small area due to the landscape. Great tidepools and smaller surf than some of the others in the area. Parking is quite difficult for this beach though. Get there early.
Crystal Cove is part of a state park, and near a kelp forest. Also has great tide pools. Parking is across the street, but there is a tunnel under PCH or a shuttle ($1 per person) to get you to the water. This beach also has a full service restaurant, The Beachcomber, as well as a refurbished 1930's beach colony of houses and lean-tos. There's almost always a painter or two out, and the beach sports its own gallery.
Any close by that are surfed?
Yes! Just about all of them at one point or another, but for the highlights you'll want Huntington Beach or the Wedge at Newport Peninsula. Huntington has the best viewing for surfing, as you can stand on the pier and look down on the surfers. It's also home to the Surf Museum. You can get lessons at most of the beaches in SoCal during the summer and high season.
We are a little nervous about driving but we'll try anything once!
Don't be nervous!!! The tales of CA driving are mostly over-dramatic. You can completely avoid Freeways to most locations if they make you uncomfortable. For example, it's actually more direct to take Beach Blvd. from Disney to the SoCal beaches, than to try and take Freeways. If you are going to drive on freeways, just remember that the flow of traffic is the rule of the road. Don't drive drastically faster or slower and you'll be just fine.