Huntington or Newport Beach?

[Mom2micayla]

Taking a couple of first timers to DLR next week. On our way out of town, we plan on hitting a beach (they've never seen the Pacific ocean either) for a few hours. I've been to most of the beaches in SoCal, but I'm starting to get them mixed up. So if you were taking someone new to a SoCal beach (and one is a 9yo girl), which would you chose? (If it matters, we'll be taking I-5 south home). TIA!

 

[KCmike]

This question was also posted on the Disneyland board and it was overwhelming favored for Huntington but I voted Newport and Corona Del Mar. Great crescent shaped beach and perfect for swimming.

 

[cyclenut]

I know this sounds strange, but the answer has more to do with what you expect out of "the beach" than anything else. If you want the type of experience you usually see on TV, then Huntington is your best choice, but it is quite a bit south of the I5. If you want something that is right off the I5 then you should go further south toward Carlsbad, but I'm not sure how far "south" you are planning to go.

If you don't care how far "out of the way" you may need to go, then I suggest heading West a little and going for my favorite, Seal Beach. It is still in Orange County and not far off of the 405 fwy.

I also like Corona Del Mar and as a teen I spent most of my beach time down at Newport.

 

[disfan07]

Huntingtin beach and Seal Beach are both about the same distance. 30 minutes from Disneyland. However, right now, there is a LOT of construction going on around the 22 which is what you would take to Seal Beach. I don't remember specifics but I THINK that part of that road is closed. I don't remember if it is just the exit onto the 22 that is closed or part of the 22 that is closed.

Newport Beach is about 25-30 minutes from Disneyland.

Taking I-5 home...North or South?

North, I would go West to Seal Beach, Huntington or Newport. If you are going South, as the PP mentioned, Carlsbad would be good because you will be right off the 5.

ETA: Just saw that you will be taking I-5 South home (that's what I get for skimming the post..lol). I would suggest either Newport or Carlsbad.

From Newport you can just take 55 back to the 5 to go South or from Carlsbad you can just get back on the 5 and go either North or South depending on how far South you are planning on going.

 

[Mom2micayla]

I'd be taking I5 South to I8. I'm not much for the beaches on the Pacific side, to be honest. This is more so that the kids can sit and play in the sand for an hour or two. Generally, we just take I5 to Pacific Coast Hwy and hit Doheny. It's ridiculously easy to access right off the 5, and generally isn't crazy busy. Of course, that's probably b/c it's really nothing more than an open beach.. no real restaurants, pier, etc.

If I do Huntington, how hard will it be to find parking around lunch time? Current plan is to hit Disneyland for a few hours and finish up what we didn't get to the first 3 days (or ride a few favorites), grab some sandwiches for lunch and then hit the beach for a few hours. Will it be impossible to find parking? Do they charge for parking?

TIA! I really appreciate the guidance.

 

[cyclenut]

Huntingtin beach and Seal Beach are both about the same distance. 30 minutes from Disneyland. However, right now, there is a LOT of construction going on around the 22 which is what you would take to Seal Beach. I don't remember specifics but I THINK that part of that road is closed. I don't remember if it is just the exit onto the 22 that is closed or part of the 22 that is closed.

Newport Beach is about 25-30 minutes from Disneyland.

Taking I-5 home...North or South?

North, I would go West to Seal Beach, Huntington or Newport. If you are going South, as the PP mentioned, Carlsbad would be good because you will be right off the 5.

ETA: Just saw that you will be taking I-5 South home (that's what I get for skimming the post..lol). I would suggest either Newport or Carlsbad.

From Newport you can just take 55 back to the 5 to go South or from Carlsbad you can just get back on the 5 and go either North or South depending on how far South you are planning on going.

FYI : I pass by this area every day. Seal Beach Blvd, which is the exit you would want to take from the 405 to get to Seal Beach, is open. The 22/405 is also open during the day but does have periodic closures late at night. The only long term closure is the 7th street exit from the 405. The bridge has been removed.

 

[cyclenut]

I'd be taking I5 South to I8. I'm not much for the beaches on the Pacific side, to be honest. This is more so that the kids can sit and play in the sand for an hour or two. Generally, we just take I5 to Pacific Coast Hwy and hit Doheny. It's ridiculously easy to access right off the 5, and generally isn't crazy busy. Of course, that's probably b/c it's really nothing more than an open beach.. no real restaurants, pier, etc.

If I do Huntington, how hard will it be to find parking around lunch time? Current plan is to hit Disneyland for a few hours and finish up what we didn't get to the first 3 days (or ride a few favorites), grab some sandwiches for lunch and then hit the beach for a few hours. Will it be impossible to find parking? Do they charge for parking?

TIA! I really appreciate the guidance.

Yes, there are charges for parking at nearly every beach, Huntington Beach included. The rates vary by season. Right now you won't have any trouble finding parking during the week around lunch time. Weekends are busier but we're not to the point yet where parking lots will be full.