Beaches and Seashells

[jennilouwho]

Hi!

Our trip isn't until next year, but we keep telling DS 2 1/2 that someday we will go to the ocean (and then suprise him by going to Disneyland too!) Anyway, he keeps saying "We'll go to the ocean and get seashells!" He got that out of a Dora book we have. Anyway, are there any beaches in Orange County that have a decent amount of seashells on them? Is there a certain time of day to go and be able to find them? I know nothing about the ocean or seashells, so any info would be appreciated. Worse case Mommy can buy some and hide them in the sand around us...

 

[eduk8r26]

From what I've seen of SoCal beaches, you are better off buying some and hiding them. You CAN find shells, but they are mostly clam shells and usually not very pretty. Every once in awhile you can find some really tiny ones, but the really nice ones are in Florida.

 

[queenrollog]

We go to Seal Beach frequently and find lots of shells! If you go and don't find what you want, there is a great souvenir shop on Main Street and you can buy a few shells there pretty cheaply. We have fun digging a handprint about 2 inches deep, lining it with shells and then pouring in quick-dry cement. We take the cement in a zip-loc bag and then just add water. DS likes to make these -- they're easy and inexpensive.

 

[LauraAnn630]

Just back from Huntington, Dana Point and Long beaches. No shells.

When we went to Marco Island, Fl the beach was LOADED with shells.
It was amazing!!

I know your not going to Florida but heres some of my shells from Marco...

 

[jennilouwho]

Thanks for the info! I guess we'll be trying Seal Beach. I don't think I've been there before, although we did find a dead seal at Huntington once...

Cool shells Laura Ann!

 

[jessica52877]

We were at Huntington in October and found what I would think would be enough shells to please him. We could have easily filled a little cup full.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Sometimes sand dollars can be found at Torrance Beach.


I'd bring some to hide just in case. If he finds them naturally, great. If not, scatter them when he's not looking and "let" him find them.

But yeah, I grew up at the ocean here in SoCal and the best shells I ever found were in Florida!

One thing to look out for...we have sandcrabs. These are really, really cool to find and are alive. They don't pinch and we have them all over the place. They tickle when you catch them.

The best way to catch them is to wait for a wave to recede, then cup one hand and dig into the sand opposite the water flow, then raise your hand up. The sand and water will drip off and if you are lucky, you'll get a sandcrab snuggling into your hand. (Again, no pain!)