Help us get to the Beach.

[barbaraann]

I am in the process of planning a brand new trip to Disneyland, and my friend wants to take her three handicapped kids to the beach. They are mobile, they just have verbal, and social handicaps. I hope I am explaining that right.

What I would appreciate is this. What beaches are close, and easy to get to without driving. I was thinking a shuttle, perhaps Super Shuttle. I need to know what beaches are family friendly, and with plenty to do for the kids, and two adults. I am going on 70, but mom is a mid 40 mom, with three teenagers.

Thanks for any who take the time to help.

We are most likely staying at Anaheim Desert Inn on Harbor. I am hoping on making that reservation at the end of the week.

 

[Karyanne]

I would recommend either Huntington Beach or Newport Beach.

 

[Baptist]

There is a great whale watch cruise (watch for Groupons), "boardwalk" shops and games, and beach at Newport Beach. It's hard to go wrong with any Southern California beach. I love the moderate temperatures and big waves for body boarding. We are heading to Huntington in a few weeks. But we are staying a few days there, then going to our DL hotel. We are renting a car.

Are you better off renting a car for the day? I would lean that way to give you the most flexibility.

 

[barbaraann]

I don't drive, and I am not sure if my friend wants to drive just for one day. I saw that whale cruise on Super Shuttle Anaheim's website. I just checked and Uber price, and it's about 65 dollars, one way. How much would that be for 5 people, I wonder? The fare calculator did not ask for the number of people. It might just be 4, if I decide not go. I did see a beach tour on another site, but that cost is about $50 per person. They take you to both Huntington, and Newport Beaches.

 

[barbaraann]

I just got a great quote for a town car to Newport Beach. Flat rate of $158 for the 5 of us. That's round trip. The quote is good for a week. I am meeting my friend on Thursday, so we can finalize most of our reservations. That rate is comparable with most Super Shuttle Rates of $30 per person, to a lot of destinations like Universal, and Sea World.

 

[luulu1999]

We def liked Newport they also have Balboa Island you can take a ferry over cheap and do stuff there and the fun zone

 

[luulu1999]

All though there was a shark attack this weekend at Newport so I might be rethinking that!!!!

 

[justgrace]

I would not do a whale watching trip. We did one at Newport just this past year and it was no bueno - our whole family got so sea sick. We were near passing out on the bottom of the boat. If her kids have some disabilities, that would probably not be a good combination. Our driver told us that one lady got so sick and had a major anxiety attack while they were out in the ocean, so the whole boat had to turn around! Luckily none of us got that bad! We did see some dolphins, though.

I think I wrote this somewhere else, but if you want to visit Laguna, Huntington, and Newport beaches - there is a beach tour that is really nice. They do 3 hours at each beach. It's really nice because the bus picks you up at your hotel, so no driving necessary. I think it's called the OC Beach Tour.

 

[barbaraann]

I would not do a whale watching trip. We did one at Newport just this past year and it was no bueno - our whole family got so sea sick. We were near passing out on the bottom of the boat. If her kids have some disabilities, that would probably not be a good combination. Our driver told us that one lady got so sick and had a major anxiety attack while they were out in the ocean, so the whole boat had to turn around! Luckily none of us got that bad! We did see some dolphins, though.

I think I wrote this somewhere else, but if you want to visit Laguna, Huntington, and Newport beaches - there is a beach tour that is really nice. They do 3 hours at each beach. It's really nice because the bus picks you up at your hotel, so no driving necessary. I think it's called the OC Beach Tour.

I priced this beach tour, and it's about $50 per person. That's $100 more money than the town car service I received the quote for.

I have been researching this trip for days. My friend has a lot of decisions to make.

 

[Chris9ty]

We hired a driver from Johnnys Taxi recommended by our hotel Indigo. I called that morning. It was a large SUV and held 8 of us (car seat and booster for my boys too) it was $140 round trip. We left the hotel at 10am for Huntington Beach, walked the pier, took tons of pics, and walked to the ocean (we may never make it back to the Pacific Ocean!) then we had lunch at a small restaurant called our driver while we shopped a few min (it's half hour from Anaheim) and he picked us up at 2pm back at the pier. Super easy and nice since my boys didn't disrupt anyone and we could leave when we wanted. Travel was expensive, but we didn't want to split up and taking a bus would have been a long trip with transfers. Check out my trip report for our pics.

 

[Bud Ice]

Here's how I recommend getting to the beach from DLR...

22 Freeway->Bolsa Chica->Warner->PCH
(Don't necessarily need to take I-5, thats Google. Harbor/Euclid to 22 just fine)

https://goo.gl/maps/Es9q856hnx32

 

[barbaraann]

Thanks for the additional replies.

 

[DLgal]

Get in an Uber and go to Corona del Mar. That is "our" beach. It's absolutely beautiful, has clean bathrooms, food locations, and the water is very calm and clean.

My kids have autism and it's the only beach we go to. Uber will cost you probably half what a town car will. Although, a one day rental car is the best option, to be honest.

 

[amyg1975]

By the way, Uber does not charge per person, it is by carload. However, since there are 5 of you, you would need a larger Uber car, which could raise the prices.

 

[barbaraann]

Get in an Uber and go to Corona del Mar. That is "our" beach. It's absolutely beautiful, has clean bathrooms, food locations, and the water is very calm and clean.

My kids have autism and it's the only beach we go to. Uber will cost you probably half what a town car will. Although, a one day rental car is the best option, to be honest.

I will be passing all this information along to my friend. She will make the final decisions. She is the mom, and it is her kids that will definitely enjoy the beach time.

Thanks for your input.

 

[DLgal]

By the way, Uber does not charge per person, it is by carload. However, since there are 5 of you, you would need a larger Uber car, which could raise the prices.

Or just take two separate Ubers. Still probably cheaper than a towncar.