Beach town to visit between Anaheim and SD?

[anna08]

We're doing the California trip for the first time this summer, and I've been spending an insane amount of time looking at various lodging options after our first 3 days at DL. We'll probably head to Legoland and Sea World, so I'd like to be somewhere from Carlsbad to San Diego. Transportation is not an issue.

I'd love to stay in a beach town where we can go to the beach and walk around restaurant/shops at night. We've got kids and active grandparents so night life is not really a priority.

I've been looking at VRBO, but have no idea which waterfront towns may have what I'm looking for. Surprisingly, some of the deluxe hotels cost as much as a rental.

Any familiar with the area have a recommendation?
Thanks!!

 

[summerw]

It depends on what you like. Here are a few...

Huntington Beach: surf town with big name surf and volleyball competitions throughout summer. Lots of surf/swim shops, restaurants, movies etc.
Newport Beach/Balboa: a bunch of different areas (lido, peninsula, fun zone, fashion island for fancy retail shopping) tending to be more on the upscale side (well not the fun zone). Probably your best bet for finding a rental close to the water.
Laguna Beach: smaller with a lot of art galleries and the sawdust art festival during part of the summer.
Dana Point: more about the boat harbor than the "beach" feel of the others and pretty.
San Clemente: more old school surf town with cute main road from the beach. On a hill if that's a concern for the gp's. Eat at Fisherman's on the pier for great clam chowder and mixed drinks (bar and apps on right, fancy restaurant with same chowder on left) or Sonnys for Italian. I don't think too many shops are open late though.

I listed them going from north to south. And Huntington is only 30 or so minutes from San Clemente so you could stay in one and visit any with a car easily.