Beach before DL

[jilliemom]

We are planning a 4 day trip to DL in April, but first we'd like to spend a few nights at a beach resort. Any suggestions as to where?? We've been looking at Laguna Beach, Santa Monica, Huntington Beach & La Jolla. Would love any resort recommendations as well. Thanks!!

 

[ncc1701]

We love Huntington Beach. One of our favorite vacation places. We have stayed at both the Hyatt and Hilton. They are about a 15 to 20 minute walk to Main St. which has a good mix of restaurants. We usually do the walk for at least 2 meals each day when we stay . Both resorts are across the PCH from the beach but there traffic lights and the Hyatt has a walkway over the it.

 

[PHXscuba]

We are planning a 4 day trip to DL in April, but first we'd like to spend a few nights at a beach resort. Any suggestions as to where?? We've been looking at Laguna Beach, Santa Monica, Huntington Beach & La Jolla. Would love any resort recommendations as well. Thanks!!

Telling us what your traveling party is like and what your desires are can be helpful because there are so many options. Kids/teens? Beach? Pools? Walkable? Shopping? Touring other places from the resort?

PHXscuba

 

[jilliemom]

We love Huntington Beach. One of our favorite vacation places. We have stayed at both the Hyatt and Hilton. They are about a 15 to 20 minute walk to Main St. which has a good mix of restaurants. We usually do the walk for at least 2 meals each day when we stay . Both resorts are across the PCH from the beach but there traffic lights and the Hyatt has a walkway over the it.

Thanks - I'll look into those!!

 

[jilliemom]

Telling us what your traveling party is like and what your desires are can be helpful because there are so many options. Kids/teens? Beach? Pools? Walkable? Shopping? Touring other places from the resort?

PHXscuba

There'll be myself & husband along with 15 yr old DD. Looking to relax a bit (before going nuts at DL -lol), beach, nice resort, walkable shopping & restaurants.

 

[PHXscuba]

I was just in Huntington Beach last week and here's what you'll find if you decide to go:
--Nice, walkable downtown with good shopping and restaurant choices
--The new Pacific City retail/dining complex (between downtown and the resorts) should be open by then. Landscaping going in last week.
--Best beach in OC, IMO, with big wide beach and open views. Surfers for DD to watch
--Surfing lessons, surrey bikes to rent, Segway tours
--I haven't used the pools at the resorts (we stay with family locally) but both are nice. The Hyatt is bigger but slightly farther from downtown

DD16 and I were just discussing while in SoCal last week that each of the OC beach towns has a different vibe -- HB is laid-back surfer, Newport is higher-end, Laguna is artsy and creative.

PHXscuba

 

[jilliemom]

Thank you for the responses. Seriously looking into hyatt in HB. Do you think we'd need a car? From the responses everything sounds walk-able. We'd just need to figure out airport transportation and getting to DL - although I think I read there's a hotel shuttle to theme parks.