Southern California Newport or Huntington?

[rockchalkfl]

Hey! We leave for a week long DL trip next Saturday and on our free day my mom has expressed a desire to go see a West Coast beach. This is her first trip further than the city of Houston and so she would like to dip her toes in the Pacific.

It will be my wife, my mom, and I and we have a dinner reservation back at the resort in the evening so we won't be staying for sunset. My mom is in her early 60's so she can do some walking or we can even rent a bike. I know she would also like to get the "California pier" vibe (I assume that's a thing because she is making it a thing lol). Good places to eat nearby would be great, too! We are going to Uber so parking isn't an issue to us.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MaggieDerm]

Huntington probably has more of the traditional pier that you are looking for, however, Newport is the ONLY place I have ever seen dolphins just swimming around. I think I have bad luck when it comes to seeing wildlife At Newport Beach you can go to the Balboa Island area and there are cute houses and shops as well as a beautiful waterfront.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We've seen dolphins off Huntington. And Huntington has a Ruby's Diner (burgers, shakes, sock hop theme -- very fun) at the end of the pier. Very fun to enjoy your meal while looking at the water. Newport is fun, but Balboa might require a bit more walking. If you have more time, Laguna is farther, but really lovely. Las Brisas (non-Tex Mex Mexican) has a really nice view of the ocean.