Huntington Beach

[Sherlee]

I think we are going to Huntington Beach for our beach and "non Disney" day. If anyone has any suggestions of things to do and see, I would appreciate it. Friends have suggested the restaurant, Chimayo, for lunch or dinner. Other than that, we have the day to explore.

 

[roymccoy]

Huntington is one of the nicest beaches along the Gold Coast. It's where we go when we "go to the beach". It's known as Surf City because of the good surf and the surfing competition that is held there. Main Street is worth a walk up and down as is the HB pier but there really isn't too much to do in HB from a tourist point of view. (Like an Aquarium or a Mission or theme park) Everyone likes Chimayo's but don't over look Fred's on Main Street or Duke's on the beach. (Where Maxwell's used to be.) Personally, I like Rock n' Baja Lobster at the Newprt Beach Pier. It's a fun restaurant, next to the pier and beach with great food.

If I were going to spend a day in HB, I would start with breakfast at Ruby's at the end of the pier, then go to the beach. About midday I would walk up and down Main Street and then I would head over to Rock n' Baja Lobster in Newport. AAAAAAWWWWW! A perfect day!

Roy

(They are building a new resort area on PCH, but it won't be open for a couple of years. It's going to block my brother's ocean view! He's NOT a happy camper!)

 

[mom_rules]

How long a drive from DLR to Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and/or Fashion Island?

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Hi!
DLR to HB piers only about 16 miles. From HB pier to Fashion Island takes about 20 minutes if the traffic isn't too bad.

Roy: Do you mean that Hilton (or whatever) monstrosity just North of Beach Bl.??? It has already opened... I grew up in HB. Went to HB High, worked at the OLD Jack's surfboards and the Beach Hut etc... I really miss the "old" town.

 

[almostGoofy]

If you are there on a Friday, be sure to check out the Farmer's market at the pier plaza. There is also an art and crafts fair next to it. It all starts at 1:00 p.m. until about 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
You also might want to think about a bon fire on the beach at night. You can pick up fire wood at any of the local supermarkets.

 

[mom_rules]

Which days of the week do you recommend going to:

Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Fashion Island?

Knotts Theme Park?

Disneyland?

California Adventure?

We'll be there Sep 29-Oct 6.

 

[mom_rules]

Just got our visitors guides for Huntington Beach and
Newport Beach. They look so awesome and lots of info
re: accomodation, dining, activities etc.

What days of the week at the beginning of October would
you avoid driving to these places? (Looking for least amount
of traffic and crowds).

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Hi mom_rules!
At that time of year, the only time anything is going to be terribly crowded will be on the weekends. Of course, the catch is that all of the theme parks are open later on the weekends. The beaches won't be very bad at that time, even if it's REALLY warm because most of the tourism traffic has left and locals are not completely in the "summer/beach" mindset. I hope this helps! Any other ???'s...feel free to ask!!

 

[mom_rules]

So if we decided to do Anaheim-HuntingtonBeach-Newport Beach-Fashion Island and back to Anaheim on a Thurs or a Mon we should be okay?

What day would you suggest for Knotts?

Thanks

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Yes, a Thursday or Monday would work fine. The only thing you might have to contend with is commuter traffic and even that could be avoided. I haven't been to Knott's in awhile, so it would depend a lot on your kids ages and whether you all like thrill rides. DH and I can only handle a limited amount of being jostled around so we can do Knott's in very short day. I don't think they get the crowds that DL does, so I would be more inclined to go there on the weekend.

 

[mom_rules]

Great plan-I think we'll hit Knotts on the Saturday when DL will be crowded. DS is 15, DD is 18-It will be someplace they will enjoy.

Here's my plan so far:
Fly in on Monday SNA 11:00am-check in go to ESPN
for lunch and wander around. Maybe go to CA for a bit
in the evening if open.
Tue. - DL-hit Disney Warehouse in pm for a while
Wed. tradeshow at convention centre
Thurs. Huntington Beach ......etc trip
Fri CA
Sat Knotts
Sun DL/CA
Mon Do things we want to do again.
Tues Fly out at 10am

What do you think? Any suggestions/trouble spots?

 

[Diva of Dragons]

That looks like a good solid plan!! The only glitch you may hit is, that time of year DCA is usually open until 6:00 on weekdays. You might want to do the Disney warehouse that first day.

 

[mom_rules]

I wondered about that myself.
How about:
Fly in on Monday SNA 12:00am-check in go to ESPN
for lunch and wander around. Hit Disney Warehouse in pm for a while.
Tue. - DL- DTD in late afternoon
Wed. tradeshow at convention centre
Thurs. Huntington Beach ......etc trip
Fri CA
Sat Knotts
Sun DL/CA
Mon Do things we want to do again.
Tues Fly out at 8am

Found out flights have changed some (too bad we lose a couple of hours). How busy do you think Knotts will be on a Sat?

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Sounds perfect! I haven't been to Knott's in ages, so I'm not sure about crowds there. But, I think that if they decent hours that Sat., you should be able to do just about everything. Maybe someone who has been there that time of year will have more input. Now, all you have left to do is get here and have a blast!!!

 

[mom_rules]

Absolutely-We can't wait-It's going to be a looooong summer.

So can you help me out again please? Using the "tentative" schedule when and where do you suggest we make PS.

We are in concierge but also get one free character breakfast-I was thinking Goofy's Kitchen. Also want to do Fantasmic Dessert Pkg., Blue Bayou, Jazz Kitchen, Ariel's, ESPN, Granville's, and the Hard Rock Cafe at Fashion Island. What do you think? I can start making PS next month.

 

[BWVPam]

How far is Newport Pier from Anaheim. We love Rockin Baja Lobster, have eaten in the one in San Diego Old Town. The kids want to spend one day at the beach, Is there a nice beach area in Newport? We will be in Anaheim from Aug 1 - 6.

Thanks,

Pam

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Absolutely-We can't wait-It's going to be a looooong summer. So can you help me out again please? Using the "tentative" schedule when and where do you suggest we make PS.

We are in concierge but also get one free character breakfast-I was thinking Goofy's Kitchen. Also want to do Fantasmic Dessert Pkg., Blue Bayou, Jazz Kitchen, Ariel's, ESPN, Granville's, and the Hard Rock Cafe at Fashion Island. What do you think? I can start making PS next month.

1) I definitely recommend Goofy's!:

2) Fantasmic: It depends what days they are doing it then. Ususally only Sat. & Sun., that time of year.

3)Blue Bayou: Just try for either day you are in the park, however we can usually walk in, that time of year, fro lunch.

4)Jazz Kitchen: No PS needed. The key is (here and other places) eat slightly before or after the big rushes. We had dinner here on Thursday at 5:00..no wait! It did fill up though, by about 6:00.

5)Ariel's: Make PS ASAP for the days you'll most likely be at DCA.

6)ESPN & Granville's: see instructions for Jazz Kitchen. ESPN is ridiculously busy on weekend nights though and is sometimes closed for privateevents.

7)Hard Rock: Just show up. Mostly crowded on weekend nights.

I hope this helps!!

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Hi Pam!
Newport pier is only 30 min. at most (off traffic hours) from DL. Honestly, the whole Newport Coast is a nice beach area! The beaches are really wide and the sand is nice and usually really clean.
Hope this helps!

How far is Newport Pier from Anaheim. We love Rockin Baja Lobster, have eaten in the one in San Diego Old Town. The kids want to spend one day at the beach, Is there a nice beach area in Newport? We will be in Anaheim from Aug 1 - 6.

 

[mom_rules]

Thanks so much-would you happen to know how far in advance I can make PS/Ressies?

 

[BWVPam]

Thanks Diva!