Best Family Beach

[RLAlden]

We'll be visiting DL and DCA in April and was wondering about suggestions for the best beaches to go to. We have children aged 3 to 16, so it needs to be some place that they'll enjoy. We're fine driving 30-60 minutes to get to something fun and safe for the kids.

Thanks for any tips you can provide.

 

[Carlen T]

I went to some beach in CA about 15 years or so ago, the water was nice and warm, the beach was nice as well, don't remember what part of CA it was but I'm from Oregon and I remember thinking that our beaches in Oregon don't have warm water like this! LOL...I think the beach started with an "L" or something...sorry if I'm not more help...





Carlen

 

[almostGoofy]

I like the beaches in Huntington Beach which are about a 30 mins. drive from Disneyland. There's actually three beaches that make up 8 miles of continuous beach; Huntington State Beach, Huntington City Beach, and Bolsa Chica. There's a pier at the City beach and a small Main St. in their downtown area to stroll. I've seen comments on this board that some prefer Newport Beach but I've never visited the beach there so I can't give you any comments on that one. Huntington Beach is closer to me.

 

[RLAlden]

Thank you for the suggestions...

 

[mobetsy]

Newport Beach is very nice and a little better for young kids, I think. Huntington Beach is good, but the waves can be a bit bigger, and the water quality near the pier can be highly questionable (not just my estimation, but actual testing of it...especially after storms, it often gets an "F"). The person remembering someplace starting with L might be thinking of Laguna Beach, also very lovely.

 

[maci]

Laguna beach is pretty, and has a fun little town and shops to visit.
That is all I can think of!
Last I was there was with out kids! Anyone else have suggestions for someplace with maybe a boardwalk kind of area with fun shops and stuff, that kids would enjoy??? I dont even know if that exists!LOL!!!!!!!!

 

[RLAlden]

Thanks...

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I agree with Newport Beach. The waves are gentler, and there are some nice places to eat, including a restaurant at the end of the pier. You can rent boogie boards, and the kids can play all day in the waves. When my cousin was pretty young (about your youngest's age), she loved being towed around on the boogie board by her dad and brother.

You can also rent bikes there. We've done that, and taken the ferry across to Balboa Island - it was such a fun day.

Laguna Beach is an artsy town, and though I've only driven through it, I think it would be another nice option.

Huntington Beach is great, but the waves are a lot rougher there.

 

[Tink33]

Maci,

There is a boardwalk area in Balboa - the Fun Zone.

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/newport3.html

I grew up in Newport Beach so I am partial to the beaches there.

 

[vcasey]

I've been spying on this thread and am thrilled to see all the great beach advice here regarding beaches.

May I add an additional question... which beach near DL is most picturesque? To give you a point of reference, last time we were in CA we went to Torrey Pines state park and thought it was breath-taking. My 10 year old wants us to go back there but this is a shorter trip so I was hoping to find a beach with cliffs etc. closer to Anaheim vs having to drive that far.

Suggestions??? Thanks.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Is Santa Monica beach a good family beach?