Favorite close to Disney, not official Disney

[JenniferFolsomCa]

Was planning to have dinner somewhere within 20 minutes of Disney, maybe down by the beach on one of our non park days? Which beach do you like for walking, too cold to swim in Nov? Any restaurants you like?

Jenn

 

[SteveMP]

So you are looking for a nice dinner by a beach not far from DL? Personally I like Newport Beach, but its more like 30 minutes. I'm not as familiar with Huntington Beach but i am sure there are ok places there and probably a little closer. Are you looking for social places to walk or more on the romantic side? Part of Newport Beach has like a "boardwalk" area with shops and restaurants and games/arcade etc, but as you get to corona del mar it gets quieter.
Swimming in November? I surf, but wear a full suit, kind of a chicken with cold water, but I see tourists swimming all year, never know where they are from.

 

[JenniferFolsomCa]

Not romantic, but nice, high quality food, spending the time with my daughter for a girls trip. I am a wimp with cold water so plan to sit in the hotel Jacuzzi : ) I might be willing to drive 30 minutes. Just want to walk along the beach and have a nice meal.

 

[SteveMP]

Not romantic, but nice, high quality food, spending the time with my daughter for a girls trip. I am a wimp with cold water so plan to sit in the hotel Jacuzzi : ) I might be willing to drive 30 minutes. Just want to walk along the beach and have a nice meal.

To be honest I've never really eaten a high end meal near the beach in Newport. We tend to just grab pizza or something while waiting for our boat to Catalina. I'm sure there are some good places but the nicer restaurants tend to be more inland, like near Fashion Island.

Huntington Beach does have a Dukes which is pretty good, that beach to me is kind of blase standard beach, not much to see like Corona Del Mar, and even more so Crystal Cove, but thats even further away.

 

[StormyCA]

It's been years since I've been at Newport, @SteveMP, but I used to spend summers there as a kid.

Is the Crab Cooker still there? Not much for 'atmosphere' but the seafood was delish!

 

[cruisehopeful]

It's about a 30 minute drive, but Crystal Cove State Beach is great for walking, tidepooling and having a meal on the beach. http://www.crystalcovestatepark.org/
http://thebeachcombercafe.com/_crystalcove/index.aspx

 

[Malcon10t]

Local friends suggest 320 Main in Seal Beach if you are in that area. Also a little more casual is The Hangout. Seal Beach is pretty much just straight out Katella.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Def too cold to swim in Nov imho.

 

[JenniferFolsomCa]

Thanks!

 

[IslaLila]

I like Nick’s in Laguna Beach. The beach is nice for walking too.