Best Beach Near DL?

[farmfresh]

We have arrived in LA Heading down to DL Wednesday from Santa Monica. We have a car and most of the day free and thought we might head to one of the nearby beaches for lunch and a walk around before 3pm check in atGCH. Any thoughts on the best beach?

 

[caylene44]

You're staying in Santa Monica? Santa Monica is one of my favorite beaches/places in the LA area so that would be my first recommendation. If you're already staying there, disregard.

A lot of people think Venice Beach is a must do/must see mostly because of how eccentric it is. I wasn't a fan but it's right down the way from Santa Monica so easy to get to.

Huntington Beach is really popular, albeit it might be slightly out of the way because it's SW from DL on the coast. In you've ever set foot in a Hollister, this is the beach on the webcams

Here's an article that might help also: https://disneylanddaily.com/disneyland-rr-nearby-beach-destinations/

 

[IAmDis]

Go down to Laguna. Much nicer and weather will be cool to slightly warm. Lot of cool boutique shops and restaurants.

However, Huntington and/or Newport Beach is popular as well. These two are true beach cities in So Cali, so you'll see more of the local beach culture here, but plenty of places to grab a good lunch and walk PCH, Main Street (HB) or the big shopping center at Pacific City. Ton of oceanfront eating places to try.

Newport is good for nighttime walks and things to do along PCH, so I'm thinking HB may be closer with more things to see and eat before you check-in.

 

[GoingSince1990]

We always go to Laguna.

 

[TinkSassy]

Great food in Huntington and surfer viewing. Duke's is a Hawaiian chain and right at the end of the pier (Don't miss the Hula Pie!), Ruby's is a 50's diner at the end of the pier and Fred's Mexican for some killer fish tacos.

 

[farmfresh]

Great suggestions everyone! Very helpful - thank you!

 

[friedela]

We were considering doing Huntington Beach but was told by someone who went that a local informed them that is has sewage going into it. Maybe they were speaking about this incident in 2017?

https://www.ocregister.com/2017/05/...osed-in-huntington-beach-due-to-sewage-spill/

Not sure if that is true or not, maybe someone else can speak to it. My kids would love to go in the ocean (they have never seen it before!) so the idea makes me kind of grossed out, lol.

We were looking at Venice beach.

 

[azdisneylover]

Great food in Huntington and surfer viewing. Duke's is a Hawaiian chain and right at the end of the pier (Don't miss the Hula Pie!), Ruby's is a 50's diner at the end of the pier and Fred's Mexican for some killer fish tacos.

I second Ruby's.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... We were looking at Venice beach.

Venice is far from DLR. Are you going to rent a car? Huntington is much closer and your kids may enjoy eating at Ruby's on the pier. Our kids loved Ruby's. (Most kids do, it seems!) Keep in mind that the water will be cold during your visit -- CA beaches aren't year 'round warm water for swimming like the TV shows would like you to believe!

 

[TinkSassy]

Huntington has surfing waves so keep that in mind with the little ones. I would look at beaches further south from Huntington for calmer waters. Also, not sure Venice is appropriate (depends on age). I don't swim extremely well so I wouldn't do more than wade at Huntington.

 

[loloandstitch]

We were considering doing Huntington Beach but was told by someone who went that a local informed them that is has sewage going into it. Maybe they were speaking about this incident in 2017?

https://www.ocregister.com/2017/05/...osed-in-huntington-beach-due-to-sewage-spill/

Not sure if that is true or not, maybe someone else can speak to it. My kids would love to go in the ocean (they have never seen it before!) so the idea makes me kind of grossed out, lol.

We were looking at Venice beach.

Huntington is nice and very family friendly. I don't believe there is noticeable sewage or debris right now- sometimes IMO I think that the water at Venice is actually much worse at times. Parking is $15 which is a little high but worth it if you're spending most of the afternoon there.

 

[longboard55]

My favorite beach would be Hermosa

 

[friedela]

Venice is far from DLR. Are you going to rent a car? Huntington is much closer and your kids may enjoy eating at Ruby's on the pier. Our kids loved Ruby's. (Most kids do, it seems!) Keep in mind that the water will be cold during your visit -- CA beaches aren't year 'round warm water for swimming like the TV shows would like you to believe!

We are renting a car for a couple days! I can't imagine they will actually swim (they have a major fear of sharks, lol) but they will want to probably walk in the water at the very least

 

[jerseygal]

You're staying in Santa Monica? Santa Monica is one of my favorite beaches/places in the LA area so that would be my first recommendation. If you're already staying there, disregard.

A lot of people think Venice Beach is a must do/must see mostly because of how eccentric it is. I wasn't a fan but it's right down the way from Santa Monica so easy to get to.

Huntington Beach is really popular, albeit it might be slightly out of the way because it's SW from DL on the coast. In you've ever set foot in a Hollister, this is the beach on the webcams

Here's an article that might help also: https://disneylanddaily.com/disneyland-rr-nearby-beach-destinations/

We were only in DL once, 10 years ago, but we did go to Huntington Beach one day and enjoyed it. Even in August, the water was chilly. We enjoyed the day though!

 

[DLgal]

Newport Beach. Park near the main pier.

Don't even expect to dip a toe in...the water is FREEZING (60 degrees currently) and the air temp isn't much better. But Newport is the nicest beach in the area. Both Huntington and Laguna get disgusting storm runoff and there is often lots of garbage. Laguna has a growing homeless population that is starting to become a problem. Plus, Laguna is far.

Stop by Moulin on your way to or from Newport Beach. It's a FANTASTIC authentic French Bakery/cafe.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We are renting a car for a couple days! I can't imagine they will actually swim (they have a major fear of sharks, lol) but they will want to probably walk in the water at the very least

Renting a car will definitely help you see a lot more and have more fun on your trip! If you do visit Huntington, the Ruby's Diner is on the end of the pier and you can see the water from some of the window booths (if I'm remembering correctly). Our kids loved having burgers and shakes overlooking the ocean there. (And, if your kids really like Ruby's, there is one near DLR on Lincoln -- about 10 minutes from the parks.)
As the pp says, Newport Beach is lots of fun, too. Both Huntington and Newport are more family friendly than Venice. Venice has great food, but it's inland and expensive.

 

[IslaLila]

Laguna is our favorite. We stayed there for 5 days during fall break and had a blast - watched the sunset over the beach every night. Great gelato too! Huntington is nice too with big waves and a nice shopping center with some restaurants. We like Newport too. Our other favorite beaches are farther south.