Southern California Best local beach

[proud_canadian]

Hi, on our non-park day the kids want to spend some time at the beach. It will be early/mid September, so not sure if it will be warm enough for swimming. What beach do you recommend (family oriented)? Is it safe and warm enough for swimming?

 

[KCmike]

We like Corona del Mar and Newport Beach.


Corona Del Mar Beach by KC MikeD, on Flickr


Corona Del Mar from the Cliff by KC MikeD, on Flickr


Newport Beach by KC MikeD, on Flickr

 

[pixarmom]

I vote for Newport! I created a Newport Beach thread a while ago that may be helpful: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2895078

Have a great trip!!

 

[DPickering]

Newport is really nice. For very young kids, like 6 and under Seal Beach is a good choice as they have a kids playground with a low wall around it right on the beach. Nice pier with a good burger place at the end. Surf is usually fairly mild and it shouldn't be crowded.

 

[ahsquared]

Love love love Newport and seal beach. Those were our top picks when I was a kid for beach trips.

 

[jazzkitten]

It might be a little cold in September for swimming, but sometimes California stays warm through October, so it depends. FYI, most California beaches have brown looking water. It doesn't mean it's "dirty" though. Personally, I wouldn't swim in LA beaches (Santa Monica, Venice, Redondo, Hermosa), but Santa Monica has a pier with rides, games, an arcade, and nearby newly revamped shopping area.

My favorite beach in So Cal is Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna/Newport. It is in a more ritzy area and the beach is pretty private. You pay a small fee for parking, but it's worth it because the beach is clean and not over populated like other beaches. There are a lot of pics on the yelp page http://www.yelp.com/biz/crystal-cove-state-beach-newport-beach

 

[DarthMole]

It might be a little cold in September for swimming, but sometimes California stays warm through October, so it depends.

September is actually still pretty warm in California. Check out Hydroguy's weather thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

It's just a tick off July & August. Oct isn't too bad either.

Beach... I hear a lot of good things about Huntington Beach, plus it's the closest. Had plans to go there on our last trip but I got sick.

 

[Califlove]

Huntington Beach is a great place to go and watch surfers and Vball. It has a cool vibe and is laid back/casual. We have taken our kids there on all of our Disney trips. If you can swing it, stay at the Shorebreak hotel there. So cool.

 

[Girimama33]

Laguna, CDM and Newport would be my top suggestions.

 

[Barry Browning]

Santa Monica Pier.Its not close.The problem here is that realistically the water is like ice.The pier here has Bubba Gumps, rides, shell shops, beach, touch toes in water, amazing scenery.We always see something memorable here.Last time they were filming Sharkanado there that was way cool.Anyway we spent part of the day at Warner Bros, Hollywood sign, Manns and then the pier.

My son is a CM and we have pretty much seen it all this year, I have been here three times and enjoyed it every time.I know there are other beaches but this has a lot more distractions besides the sand and cold water although they have that too.

A Hollywood /beach day can be a real great day away from the disney scene.

 

[jazzkitten]

Here are some pictures of Santa Monica beach. I agree with what pp said about Santa Monica. It's probably not somewhere where you'll want to take a dip in the ocean, but get your feet wet and enjoy the people watching and entertainment.

Santa Monica Pier

3rd Street Promenade - walkable distance from the beach. You'll see a lot of street performers - singers, dancers, magicians, etc.

Santa Monica Place - at the beginning of 3rd St. Promenade. The last time I was there, I ran into the guy who plays Ian on ABC's LOST.

 

[nrichards]

Last time they were filming Sharkanado there that was way cool.

Oh man you guys didn't get attacked by it, did you? That thing looks terrifying!