Well, Youll need to go from May - Sept. To enjoy the ocean...kinda cool other times. The Pacific is a cold ocean..but you get used to it. El Porto at Manhattan beach is one of Southern California BEST beach. (its right below El Segundo) which is right by LAX. Especially for swimming and large waves.
Disneyland Resort...is just simply better than WDW. IMHO....Its Disney at its best, so you will love it!! There is ALOT of great things to see and do in L.A. (i lived there 5 years in the Air Force.) I miss SoCal.
Staying off property is common there. Literally hundreds of great places. On site..is basically only Deluxe. IMHO, Disneyland hotel is best but its $$$.
Just do some pricing online but i highly recommend. DLR. We always stay at a hotel on Harbor Blvd. 3 minutes and you are parking at DLR.
We also love WDW..but once you goto DL...you hare hooked. When we only do disney...we goto WDW when we also want to do the beach and touring scene....we goto California and DLR for at least 4 days.
You WILL need 3 full days minimum to see both parks. 2 for DL and 1 C.A...then maybe one more..for anything you missed.
If Disney lovers have never been too DL...then they are missing not only the original..but the essence of Disney. Its just Disneys best park. Period,