Huntington Beach or Santa Monica?

[sharoncity]

We want to spend a few days at the beach before heading to DL. During that time we will also tour Hollywood and such. Would you stay at Huntington Beach or Santa Monica and why? My kids are DD 14 and DS 9. DD wants to experience OC..... I found nice hotels for either location, but I don't know where to chose. We leave in 5 days!!!

 

[SunBunny23]

Well Santa Monica is very relaxing. There's shopping a nice quiet beach with a little carnival on the peir. Huntington Beach is crowded and good for playing in the water. Lots of surfers and lots of surf shops.

 

[PeterPansPixie]

I vote for Laguna Beach! I have never been to Huntington or Santa Monica but LOVE Laguna!

 

[honeymom]

If you plan on using it as a base to explore LA proper, then definitely Santa Monica. While I also like Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, both can be a pain when you factor in traffic.

I used to live in LA (close to Santa Monica) and worked in Santa Monica. There is a lot to do there and it isn't bad getting to Hollywood and the other LA things to do. The only thing that might bother some people is that it is more citylike than Huntington Beach or Laguna. Not full of skyscrapers or anything, but there are city like problems - i.e. more homeless - living there. That never bothered me, but some people might be uncomfortable with it.

I liked the city elements to Santa Monica - lots of shopping, restaurants, movies and nightlife. It was kind of our haunt when we used to live in LA. The pier is fun for kids. We enjoyed walking along the Promenade and Main Street as well.

 

[TXAng]

I prefer Huntington or Laguna, but I agree with honeymom. If you're trying to tour the LA/Hollywood area, Santa Monica would be much more convenient.

Have a great trip!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I agree w/ honeymom's reasoning as well.

However being a lover of Orange County (not LA County) I think Laguna is a bit touristy (reminds me of Sedona, AZ) & a tad uppity, but we only dined there so maybe I just didn't get to know the area well enough. Newport / Balboa Island parts are my FAVORITE places to bring the kids & Huntington a close 2nd b/c it's great w/ cheap parking & lots of it!

HTH

 

[sharoncity]

AARRGGGHHHHH! I just can't decide!

Huntington Beach sounds more my family's style. But we do want to tour Hollywood for a day. I THINK I am leaning towards Huntington Beach, but I am still somewhat undecided. Heck, I 've got 4 whole days to decide......

 

[tmatthews]

We went to both huntington and laguna... I vote laguna!

 

[rentayenta]

Huntington Beach. I grew up in Orange County and HB is my favorite of the beaches. HB is much cleaner than Santa Monica; good shopping, great restaurants (make you venture off the Main St. for local favorites and feel free to PM me and I will give you ideas), and the beach is a blast.

 

[ter-moo]

Although I used to live near Santa Monica and love that beach, Huntington Beach is more family friendly. PLUS, if your daughter likes to shop at Hollister, it's the beach they show on the live cam in the store, which might be a draw for her!

If you're just doing one day in Hollywood (and really that's all you need), you don't really need to worry so much about traffic. Do Hollywood in the morning, land at the beach for the late afternoon, evening and the next day.

 

[Adi12982]

For our first trip we have decided to go to Santa Monica - to be able to go to the beach and pier and get the "Cali" experience. But having never been to California I cannot help you . . . it is just what we chose based on asking around here and online research.